Many of us physically live in the present, but we emotionally live in the past. Each experience we have resides in the past and unless we mentally move on from those experiences, it is clear we are living in the past.

Letting Go of the Past

Letting go of the past is important if you are to live your life and live it well. Living in the past has everything to do with not being able to get past or let go of painful experiences. It’s not that we want to be reminded of our experiences, but unless we deal with or come to understand our experiences and other people’s part in our experiences, we may never let those go and may stay stuck in the past.

Stepping into your Present Lives

When you've truly dealt with your past, stepping into the present life feels less daunting. Letting go isn’t just about forgetting – it’s a stepping stone to something better. One way to release the past is by connecting your emotions to the experiences you've been through. When you take the time to understand why you felt a certain way, it becomes easier to loosen your grip on what once held you back.

Clarity brings freedom. The more we understand, the easier it is to mentally and emotionally release ourselves from the weight of the past. And with that release comes the space to move forward.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “Letting Go of the Past”

  1. Letting go hasn't been something I have been very good at, because I haven't a lot to hang on to.

    We were raised like gypsies moving around a lot, so we were forced to let go of a lot of physical things, having also to let go of emotional connections that children depend on.

    There were so many things that never made sense which is why I had days like yesterday, where I slept all day. I'm still trying to process the past and I get overwhelmed.

    The hardest part is other people taking it personally, when it has nothing to do with them and they can't comprehend how horrible it was. They really don't get it.

    1. Thanks Randy. Yes, as the saying goes, 'unless someone walks a mile in your shoes' they will never know your life or your experiences.

      And that's okay, but it's not okay for those others to judge. The reality is that people do judge and think they know.

      But it's more important you know and try to work on the feelings and emotions you have so that you can get past and let go of your past.

      I understand you. Although it's not easy, and is something we would rather not do, it is necessary if we are going to have a life.

  2. I am not the best at letting go of the past even though I understand the importance of learning from the past and moving on.

    My experiences were very damaging and have had a lasting effect on my and my family. I often read about forgiving and letting go, but forgiving is not now or ever likely to be on my agenda.

    I know I must find a place for how we were treated and the reasons why, but I feel I have lost so much irreplaceable time, it's very difficult.

    1. I also found it difficult to let go of my experiences, of my past, of what I was made to go through, so I understand how you feel.

      But not letting go of your experiences, gives and fuels them further, because they know they can treat you badly. It allows them to have control, to know that what they have done has hurt and affected you badly.

      If some one does something and it's done wittingly, in other words they knew what they were doing and they don't care, there is no real reason to forgive.

      If on other hand if they had their time again and they would change the outcome, there is every reason to forgive and let go of the past.

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