Letting go is hard. Trying to let go of the past and move forward in your life when you really want to hold on is even harder.
Am I right or am I right? (It’s okay…you can nod and agree with me)
Is it just me, or is letting go when your heart is trying to convince you there’s something worth holding on to even more difficult? Especially, when your instincts remind you there is absolutely nothing to hold on to.
The way life is set up there are often instances where we are able to look at our circumstance and it all but spells out that it is time to let go. But leave it to our hearts and those feelings to keep us going and, in most instances, causing us to remain in situations that our common sense told us to walk away from long before.
Walking away from something you have put your time, energy, heart and effort into can be one of the most excruciating tasks. But if holding on to that thing causes your heart to break even further then letting go of the past and moving forward with your life may be your best remedy.
Realistically speaking, life isn’t quite the Hallmark movie. Wouldn’t you agree?
I, personally, love Hallmark movies. And if you’re a fan like me then you’re likely watching with the same intensity and for some of the same reasons. I mean, let’s be honest, if you are a die-hard Hallmark movie fan then you know how the story goes and you without a doubt know how the story will end. And truth be told, isn’t that why we watch?
We watch because we know that no matter what happens during the movie once we get to the final scene things will have worked themselves out. And, they will have worked themselves beautifully.
The happy couple may find themselves in a quandary for the fifteen minutes prior to the end of the movie. However, before they roll those credits, they will have reunited and we’ll find them walking into a sea of bliss and sunshine destined for their happily ever after.
Insert, real life. And let me tell you…that Hallmark movie is just that. A movie. Fiction. Good fiction, but fiction nonetheless.
Life.
I’m talking about real life here.
Yeah, life can be hard. Life is often unpredictable and more often than not, it is difficult.
Whether it be a heartbreak, an end to a friendship or a failed relationship, life is tough. It can even be the loss of a job. No matter what it is, the difficulties in life can cause you to remain stuck and stop you from moving forward.
So, what happens when you feel you are unable to let go of the past and move forward in life? Well, to be stuck is to remain in a specified place or situation unable to move or to be moved.
And that’s exactly what failing to move from a situation that no longer serves your best interest does. It causes you to become paralyzed. Failing to move on from your past can make you feel as though you are being held hostage to your situation. By failing to let go of the past and move forward with your life, you willingly allow yourself to remain stagnant.
So, what should you do when it feels like you can’t let go of the past? Are you asking yourself what to do when it seems you cannot move forward? Do you wonder what you can do to get past that?
Well, do you want the simple answer?
You MOVE.
Whether it is one foot, one inch, at the speed of light or at a snail’s pace.
YOU simply MOVE.
One step at a time. One foot in front of the other. Even with tears in your eyes.
To move forward in life and get to a place of transition will require you to MOVE. And in order to have continued progression you will have to make consistent moves.
Once you begin your forward moving progression, you will likely recognize that letting go of your past is a painful process.
But don’t let that stop you. That is actually a good thing. Experiencing and feeling that pain will help you identify your pain point. Letting go of your past and moving forward with your life will require you to recognize that the situations you are holding on to have been a source of pain in your life.
By coming to terms with that pain, you will be able to establish whether you are willing to continue holding on and remaining stuck or if you’d be better served by releasing that source of pain and making forward progress in your life.
In addition, identifying your pain will allow you to acknowledge this fact and provide an opportunity for you to embrace the reality that you possess the capacity to let go and move forward with your life.
When you find that you are truly ready to make the decision to let go of the past and move forward in your life you can use these reminders to help you remain focused on your path.
21 REMINDERS WHY YOU SHOULD LET GO OF THE PAST AND MOVE FORWARD IN LIFE
1. I am who God says I am.
2. My Past Is Behind Me.
3. My Past Does Not Define Me.
4. I Cannot Change My Past But I Can Learn From It.
5. I Recognize that My Past Is A Part of Me. But It Has Shown Me Who I Can Become Because I’ve Learned Who I Want To Be.
6. Growth Is A Personal Choice.
7. I Am Committed To Choosing Those Things That Are Best For Me.
8. I Will Not Be Limited By My Past.
9. I Am Not The Person I Was But I Am Capable Of Becoming The Best Version Of Myself.
10. My Past Has A Purpose.
11. I Will Not Allow Fear To Control Me.
12. I Am Capable Of Accomplishing Great Things Regardless Of My Past.
13. What Others Think Of Me Will Not Limit Me.
14. When The Past Comes Knocking I Can Choose Not To Answer.
15. I Control Who or What Has Access To Me.
16. My Past Is Not A Crutch.
17. I Am Limitless.
18. I Will Prosper In Spite Of My Past.
19. I Choose To Live In Expectancy Of Amazing Things Happening For Me.
20. My Self-Worth Is Not Dependent Upon My Past.
21. I Can’t Go Back But I Can Make My Future Amazing.
BONUS: I Can Live My Life With Regrets. It’s The Regrets That Remind Me That I Am Living.
Once you make the choice to let go of the past and move forward in your life, it will take consistent work to stay the course. But you must continually remind yourself that the choice you are making is solely for YOU. You can view your decision to move on from the things that are holding you back as a form of self-care and as an expression of the love you have and are pouring into yourself.
If you really think about it, the person you will spend every moment in your life with is YOURSELF. So, it only makes sense to do what is best for you by consciously and consistently deciding to let go of the past or those things that are limiting you and move forward with your life.
In his series entitled, “Keep It Moving,” Bishop T.D. Jakes explains that you should never be afraid to begin again. And to begin again would require you to forget those things that are behind you.
He goes on to say that what most people don’t realize is that in order to remain on a continued pattern of growth you have to be courageous enough to keep moving forward.
If you’d like to begin the process of journaling towards releasing and walking away from the things of the past that are holding you back then check out these free Journal Prompts.
Let me know in the comments if this helps you and how you plan on choosing yourself by letting go of the past and moving forward in your life.
If you need an extra reminder or would like some additional affirmations to help you change any limiting or negative self-talk please make sure to check out this article. 20 Affirmations For Women To Remind You Of Your Worth.
