Whether we want to admit it or not, the past has sway over us.
Ultimately, we are the sum of all our thoughts, words, and experiences.
Therefore, we are the result of our past.
Also, our subconscious mind controls how we see and respond to our environment and it is completely made up of beliefs from our past.
If we want to move from where we are into a life designed in the way we want, we are going to have to learn to face and let go of our past.
Recognize Why Letting Go is Important
Say you were hurt by a friend in the past, and you feel as though they left an emotional mark on you.
Because of what happened you don’t feel as though you can trust anyone now.
This general sense of distrust limits your ability to form positive relationships.
You continuously go back to the situation, and you can’t let go.
In turn, this creates emotionally-driven mental clutter that dictates how you live your life.
This is why you want to let go, to clear out the mental space.
In this way, you can start to think about being able to let go of the past as a positive thing for yourself.
To this end, thinking about some of the following aspects should be able to help you deal with any issues about your past.
Releases You of a Burden
Carrying around the weight of something in that past that has hurt you exhausts you still.
By forgiving these circumstances and letting go of the hurt caused by the situations, you strengthen your own psyche.
Releases You of Resentment
It is crucial that you understand that when you choose to let go of a hurtful past situation, it doesn’t mean that you have to mend the relationship with the person that hurt you.
Instead, you need to focus on letting go of your sadness, anger, and pain.
This will help you to become a better version of yourself, without having to focus on the other person.
Brings You More Understanding
Many people who cause others pain often are hurting themselves.
If you can recognize this fact and find it in your heart to be a bit more compassionate to others who hurt you, it might end up being easier for you to let the past go.
Requires You Forgiving Yourself
When you hold onto the past, there’s a chance that you also blame yourself for the circumstances that occurred.
Similar to finding compassion for the people who hurt you, it is also essential to find compassion for yourself.
Relationships are complex, and it is entirely possible that you could be the victim, as well as having some responsibility in the matter.
Stop Playing the Victim
We all know someone that has hurt us in the past, and that was their decision, their choice.
Similarly, you are choosing to dwell on it, and that’s your choice.
To learn how to let go of the past, you have to recognize that you are making yourself the victim.
Playing the victim allows the person who caused you pain to have control over you in some manner.
Instead of continuing to play the victim, remind yourself that you are in the driver’s seat and don’t let your brain dwell on the negative thoughts of the past.
Exercise Your Mind with Positive Affirmations
Once you’ve realized that you are in control and start to refocus your mind on the present, work on your self-esteem.
When you dwell on an adverse event from the past often enough, it is likely that your self-confidence dropped.
To counteract this by-product of holding onto the past, repeat positive affirmations regularly.
Doing this will help train your mind to see yourself as being worthy of success.
Say What You Feel
When you bottle up your emotions, they continue taking up valuable mental space.
We create scenarios in our heads because we never expressed our displeasure with the person that caused us harm.
Since we don’t know what the outcome of the situation could have been if we stated our feelings, we ruminate over it.
To get out of this habit of playing the ‘what if’ game, learn to open up about what exactly you’re feeling when you’re feeling it.
Not only will this help you relieve your mind of anxious thoughts, but it will also allow you to be less resentful of the situations.
Look to the Past for Positivity
Finally, if you want to let go of the past, then reorient your relationship with it.
Rather than looking at the past and seeing only the negative, balance that out with what was good.
Remind yourself of the good times that you had and everything that it has brought with it.
Letting go will allow you to move forward and gain mental clarity.
Clutching wrongs that have been done to us and our own mistakes keeps us from realizing our full potential.
Thank you for reading!
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