The Gentle Art of Letting Go: Finding Freedom in Release
If you’ve ever held onto something—an old habit, a relationship, a role you once played in life—you’ll know that letting go isn’t as simple as just “moving on.” We can know in our minds that something no longer serves us, yet our hearts and bodies still cling to the familiar.
That’s because letting go isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about releasing the grip it has on your present. And sometimes, the act of release is less about “getting over it” and more about creating space for what’s ready to arrive.
Today, I want to walk you through what I call the gentle art of letting go—a process that’s rooted in self-compassion, presence, and trust.
Step One: Honour What You’re Holding
Before we can release anything, we need to acknowledge it. This isn’t about rehashing every detail or reliving every emotion—it’s about recognition.
Ask yourself:
What am I holding onto right now?
Why might I still be holding it?
What did this once give me that I might be missing now?
When you can name what you’re carrying, you begin to loosen its invisible weight. You also remind yourself that at one point, this thing—whether it’s a belief, a person, or a way of being—served a purpose.
Step Two: Make Peace with What’s Past
Letting go isn’t possible if we’re still fighting reality. It’s tempting to rewrite the story, to imagine how things “should” have gone, but peace is found in accepting that it unfolded exactly as it did.
This is where gentle truth-telling comes in. You might say to yourself:
It happened.
It’s okay to wish it had been different.
And it’s okay for me to move forward now.
By allowing both the grief and the grace to exist side by side, we stop battling the past and start making room for the future.
Step Three: Create a Ritual of Release
A ritual can be a powerful way to signal to your mind and body that it’s time to let go. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just intentional. You might:
Write a letter you never send, then burn it.
Take a walk in nature and imagine placing your burden into the earth or water.
Light a candle as a symbol of release.
The point isn’t the action itself—it’s the meaning you attach to it. When you ritualise the release, you give it a place in your personal story, rather than letting it linger as an unresolved chapter.
Step Four: Replace the Space
When we let go of something, we create a gap—and nature loves to fill gaps. If we don’t intentionally decide what comes in, old patterns can creep back.
Ask yourself:
What do I want to make room for?
What will nurture me in this new space?
It could be a daily self-care practice, a creative project, new connections, or simply more stillness in your life. Whatever it is, choose it consciously so your release feels like an opening, not a loss.
Step Five: Keep Practising
Letting go isn’t a one-time act—it’s an ongoing process. Some days, you’ll feel light and unburdened. Other days, the old feelings may return, and you’ll need to remind yourself of your choice to release.
That’s okay. Healing is rarely linear. Each time you notice yourself clinging, you have the chance to gently loosen your grip again.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or pretending it never mattered. It means trusting yourself enough to move forward—knowing that you’re allowed to grow beyond what once fit you.
And in that space of release? That’s where freedom begins. If that feels scary and you want a hand, I’d be happy to help. Reach out here today for a free first session.
