What we hold on to is not always good for us. It is time to let go of the things that get you down.

Here are two things we all seem to hold onto material items and emotions. Sometimes they are even attached to each other. So, if it is holding you back it's now time to let it go.

So how do we do this? I wish I had a perfect remedy for you, but then I would package it and sell it. We are always looking for help and advice on how to make our lives more manageable. Here are some tips that have helped my clients and myself. So I thought I would share them.

Firstly, when it is something material. Think of the pleasure you have gotten out of it and how it was a part of your life when you first got it. It is often the only reason you need to be able to let go of it because for most of the time we grow out of it and it no longer serves a purpose in your life today. You can also think about giving it to someone you know who may need it more than you, instead of it just sitting in a drawer or cupboard.

Although it gets more difficult when someone special has given it to you. Suddenly you are hanging onto every memory and possession you have until your possessions start to possess you. If it is something you can sell, SELL it! It was yours and not owned by the person who gave it to you. Release the guilt attached to it because after all, it is just a material item.

So my best tip here is doing it soon so that you don’t have the sentimentality holding you back and cluttering your life. Too much can really become a burden. After all, we need to make space for the new - so out with the old.

This is easier said than done - I am still trying...

Then it comes to a feeling or an emotion. How do we forget those hurtful things that have made us feel unwanted, unloved and uncared for? We all want to remember the good stuff and forget the bad but it is hard. One thing I can say is once you realize that it adds no value to your life you can then box it. The box is always there, but you now have a chance to put the lid on it and not visit it too often. I have a personal saying “Box it – Beat it – Better it”.

Putting things into a box and calling it baggage doesn’t necessarily mean it will just disappear into thin air. It just means that you have addressed it for what it is. You have analysed it as much as you can. Pushing things under the rug is not a good place to shove unwanted emotions and feelings; they often tend to pop up when you least expect them.

Working on acceptance and forgiveness at this point will get you through. Also understanding where it possibly came from when someone upsets you is a good place to start. You might not make sense of it but you will know that it was their frustration, insecurity or anger that led them to that behaviour and you were just in their line of fire. It does not make it right or give them an excuse but for you, it will give you a better reason.

Take a bit of time to write a list of all the things that are holding you back and slowly work through them. You will be so happy you started somewhere. This will become a good habit. You will find yourself holding onto less of the things that hold you back which will give you a chance to work on all the things in your life that bring you great pleasure.

#PayItForward

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