ACCEPTANCE AND LETTING GO

Acceptance and letting go can be some of the biggest challenges in life.

They are closely linked to our emotions, thoughts and the desire to control the circumstances around us. The human brain is naturally inclined to resist situations that bring uncertainty, pain or loss. This makes it difficult to let go of certain experiences, expectations or emotions.

In this blog I discuss why acceptance and letting go can be so difficult and how you can grow in this.

Why are acceptance and letting go so difficult?

Many people feel the need to control their lives and the outcome of events. This desire for control gives us a sense of safety and security. But control is an illusion — we ultimately do not have complete control over everything. The feeling that we are losing control can make us anxious and insecure. Accepting that we cannot control everything can make us feel powerless. This discomfort can hold us back in the process of letting go.

In addition, we often have expectations about how our lives should go, what we want to achieve or how others should behave. When these expectations are not met, it can lead to frustration, disappointment or sadness. Change scares us, because letting go also means giving up the so-called security of what we know, even if it is not good for us. We fear the unknown, which can prevent us from letting go of situations that no longer serve us.

Another reason why letting go can be difficult is that we have invested a lot of time, energy or emotions in certain situations or people. This applies to relationships, careers or dreams that we have held on to for a long time. Letting go can feel like we have to accept that our efforts may have been in vain. This inner conflict makes it difficult to move on, because it feels like we are losing something valuable.

We try to avoid the pain that comes with this – something I wrote about in my previous blog. It is important to face emotions and uncomfortable feelings, no matter how difficult that is. Acceptance also means that we have to get in touch with our pain or loss, something that often feels so uncomfortable that we prefer to avoid it. Our ego finds it difficult to let go of what we identify with so much. The ego therefore often resists acceptance and letting go, because this can feel threatening to our self-esteem and identity.

How do you promote acceptance and letting go?

Awareness:

The first step is to become aware of what you are holding on to and why. Self-reflection helps you discover which beliefs, emotions or fears are preventing you from letting go.

Kindness to yourself:

Be kind to yourself. Accept that letting go takes time and is difficult. It is normal to struggle with this.

Live in the moment:

Focus your attention on the present instead of focusing on the past or the future.

Focus on what you can influence: Don’t waste energy on things that are beyond your control. Focus on what you can change.

Embrace uncertainty:

Uncertainty is a natural part of life and also offers opportunities for growth and new possibilities.

By consciously practicing these steps, you can gradually experience more freedom and inner peace. The process of acceptance and letting go takes time, patience and practice, but it can lead to more emotional resilience and a deeper sense of calm.