If you consider yourself to be a woman with drive, then you’ve likely held onto many goals and milestones throughout your life.
Perhaps you’ve clung to the idea of a certain job title, a number in your bank account, a relationship, a family. I know I’ve gripped tightly to many of these things at one point or another.
But the other day, a friend sent me this poem about letting go, and it felt very convicting. I loved this part in particular:
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.
She didn’t call the prayer line.
She didn’t utter one word.
She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
I talk a lot about making plans and achieving dreams, and certainly, those things are important.
But I know for me and for several of my clients, what’s become equally important is the ability to liberate ourselves from some of those plans.
That’s because we tend to carry around with us a whole lot of unexamined and self-limiting beliefs, expectations that keep us from experiencing a sense of joy or peace.
If I don’t make X, I’m not earning my keep. If I don’t get married, I’m not lovable. If I don’t say yes to this, I’m going to miss out. And so on.
Letting go of those things can feel like admitting defeat. Think about the negative connotation that comes with telling someone they’ve “let go.”
But over time, I’ve observed clients who, either prompted by an inner feeling or an external change, begin to question these beliefs—and end up much happier.
This, of course, doesn’t happen overnight. For most, it’s a gradual change in the form of identifying what we don’t want, redefining how we view success, and taking a few uncomfortable (but necessary) steps forward.
For example, a client recently let go of a six-figure job because of the stress and burden it had placed on her and her family. She made the decision after a lot of careful deliberation, and she’s now earning less, but she’s much more content.
Lately, I’ve noticed a nudge to let go of my own fixation on doing. I didn’t like that I always felt the need to be checking things off a list. This means I have to simply let some things be, but it also means I feel less ruffled and more grounded. A good tradeoff, in my book.
So I encourage you to read that poem and start thinking about some of those unexamined beliefs you’ve been carrying around.
What is asking to be released? What can you just let be?
P.S. Is there something you’d like to let go of, but you want guidance on how to do just that? I’m opening a limited number of slots for a special bundle: A one-hour, one-on-one coaching intensive and unlimited access to my self-guided, 9-session, Your Life Your Terms online course. The value is $1,000, but the cost will be $500. View details and book your session here.
