Today, I want to share something powerful that happened recently. After sharing my pregnancy news with an old friend, I discovered she’d been holding onto anger toward me since 2021. This experience taught me an important lesson about the weight we carry when we refuse to let go.
The Hidden Cost of Holding On
Think about this: Every negative thought you carry is like a 20-pound dumbbell. If you’re carrying five negative thoughts, that’s 100 pounds of unnecessary weight. Ask yourself:
- Who is really suffering?
- What am I gaining by holding on?
- Is this anger serving my growth?
The Truth About Anger
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” This old saying hit home for me when I realized how many people carry anger for years, letting it:
- Drain their energy
- Block their blessings
- Create negative patterns
- Limit their growth
The Path to Freedom: 5 Steps to Let Go
1. Acknowledge the Weight
First, we need to become aware of what we’re carrying. Most of us don’t realize how much emotional baggage we’re lugging around until we stop and take inventory.
2. Stop Playing the Victim
It’s easy to blame others and play the victim, but this gives away our power. Instead:
- Take responsibility for your feelings
- Look for the lesson in every situation
- Ask “What can I learn from this?”
- Focus on your growth
3. Practice Self-Forgiveness
Here’s a powerful exercise I’ve used:
- Write yourself a forgiveness letter
- Begin with “I forgive myself for…”
- Read it aloud three times daily
- Feel the release with each reading
4. Have Honest Conversations
If something’s bothering you, talk it out. Don’t wait three years like my friend did. When we avoid communication:
- Problems grow bigger
- Resentment builds
- Healing gets delayed
- Relationships suffer
5. Release the Pain
Try this visualization exercise:
- Close your eyes
- Take a deep breath
- Imagine your pain as a balloon
- Release it into the sky
- Say: “I release this pain, I choose peace”
The Power of Choice
Remember: You are in control of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. No one can make you hold onto anger – that’s a choice you make. When you choose to let go:
- Your energy lifts
- Opportunities flow
- Relationships improve
- Peace returns
My Personal Practice
As an expecting mother at 16 weeks, I’ve learned the importance of maintaining positive energy. Every day, I:
- Practice gratitude
- Speak affirmations
- Release negative thoughts
- Choose joy over judgment
Your Turn to Let Go
Today, I challenge you to identify one piece of anger you’ve been carrying. Maybe it’s:
- An old argument
- A perceived slight
- A past disappointment
- An unmet expectation
Take Action Now
- Write down what you’re holding onto
- Ask yourself what it’s costing you
- Practice the balloon release visualization
- Choose to let it go
Your Call to Action
Take 5 minutes right now to write down one thing you’re ready to release.
Remember: Letting go is a gift you give yourself. You deserve that gift today.