Struggling to forget those things which are behind is perhaps one of the most tragic things that unites the human race.
But as philosophers, scientists and religious leaders have taught, healing and beauty comes from moving on and focusing on more hope-filled futures.
Perhaps that's why Elsas song brought tears to children and adults alike when they first heard her sing "Let. It. Go."
Letting go of the haunting words spoken to you by important people in your past is particularly challenging. Sometimes that person in your past may even be you. Negative self-talk is just as harmful as negative words spoken to you by another person. If you allow them to, these words will eat away at the very core of what makes you, you.
I myself have allowed words to haunt me and get in the way of me blooming toward my possibilities; words like
Here are five ways I am letting go of the haunting words of my past. Join me on my journey.
1. Love yourself first
This one is crucial because if we truly love ourselves, what other people think of us wont affect our self-worth. There will be no need for words to follow us around like ghosts because well already know who we are and know that were enough.
This is hard to do because humans are such social creatures and what others say so easily affects us. But with practice, letting go and loving ourselves is possible.
Simple things like telling yourself what you love about yourself, forgiving yourself of past mistakes, quitting the shaming process for mistakes youll yet make, being grateful for who you are today, giving yourself a break and loving others can slowly begin to change negative neural pathways.
2. Try something new
If you havent already, watch Matt Cutts less-than-four-minutes TED Talk. In it he talks about the benefits of trying something new for 30 days. You can do anything, he remarks, for 30 days.
What is something youve always wanted to try that the haunting words from your past have held you back from doing? Do that one thing. Try it for only 30 days. This will instill confidence and belief in yourself.
Trying new things opens up your mind to the awareness and appreciation of newness, the hope the present and future bring and your ability to carve out the life youve always dreamed of.
3. Practice mindfulness
Psychology Today states, Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When youre mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.
What better way to let go of a haunting past than to live fully and completely aware in the present?
One of the best ways Ive found success in doing this is to cultivate gratitude in moments of fear, anxiety, nostalgia or regret. When you take a moment in almost a state of Zen to feel gratitude, fear and other negative vibes dispel.
Practicing yoga, meditation and anything that gets your parasympathetic nervous system working helps you live a mindful life.
4. Get outside
Theres a connectedness in nature you can't find anywhere else.
I have found that simply getting outside of the apartment to walk the dog, looking up at the sapphire sky and feeling the sun tickle the hairs on my arms is enough to get me thinking outside of myself.
When we let our pasts follow us around, we are doing one thing extremely well: focusing on ourselves. By getting outside and seeing the world around us, we broaden our perspectives and strengthen feelings of thankfulness.
5. Focus on present relationships and gleaming futures
Lastly, we must do as St. Paul urges us to do we must reach forth unto those things which are before.
As tempting as it is to bathe ourselves with twinkling memories of the past, the more healthy thing to do is look toward glimmering cascades ahead. Focus on the beautiful people you have in your life now and the wonderful adventures that await you in your future. It doesnt matter what happened in the past, because look at what you have in front of you now.
But as philosophers, scientists and religious leaders have taught, healing and beauty comes from moving on and focusing on more hope-filled futures.
Perhaps that's why Elsas song brought tears to children and adults alike when they first heard her sing "Let. It. Go."
Letting go of the haunting words spoken to you by important people in your past is particularly challenging. Sometimes that person in your past may even be you. Negative self-talk is just as harmful as negative words spoken to you by another person. If you allow them to, these words will eat away at the very core of what makes you, you.
I myself have allowed words to haunt me and get in the way of me blooming toward my possibilities; words like
- Youre such a goody-two-shoes. Thats why I broke up with you. (My 11-year-old crush)
- Hes with her, and not you, because he doesnt think youre smart/deep/interesting enough. (My 14-year-old self)
- I cant believe you like this song. There is no meaning behind it. (My 15-year-old boyfriend)
- Eating disorders are horrible. They make it so women cant have children. I could never be with someone like that. (My 16-year-old boyfriend)
- If you quit, youll always regret it. (My would-have-been varsity basketball coach)
- My mom found out you take antidepressants. She doesnt think we should get engaged. (My 20-year-old boyfriend)
- So many soccer moms think they can just pick up an expensive camera and be a photographer. They dont get art. (My photography teacher in college)
Here are five ways I am letting go of the haunting words of my past. Join me on my journey.
1. Love yourself first
This one is crucial because if we truly love ourselves, what other people think of us wont affect our self-worth. There will be no need for words to follow us around like ghosts because well already know who we are and know that were enough.
This is hard to do because humans are such social creatures and what others say so easily affects us. But with practice, letting go and loving ourselves is possible.
Simple things like telling yourself what you love about yourself, forgiving yourself of past mistakes, quitting the shaming process for mistakes youll yet make, being grateful for who you are today, giving yourself a break and loving others can slowly begin to change negative neural pathways.
2. Try something new
If you havent already, watch Matt Cutts less-than-four-minutes TED Talk. In it he talks about the benefits of trying something new for 30 days. You can do anything, he remarks, for 30 days.
What is something youve always wanted to try that the haunting words from your past have held you back from doing? Do that one thing. Try it for only 30 days. This will instill confidence and belief in yourself.
Trying new things opens up your mind to the awareness and appreciation of newness, the hope the present and future bring and your ability to carve out the life youve always dreamed of.
3. Practice mindfulness
Psychology Today states, Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When youre mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.
What better way to let go of a haunting past than to live fully and completely aware in the present?
One of the best ways Ive found success in doing this is to cultivate gratitude in moments of fear, anxiety, nostalgia or regret. When you take a moment in almost a state of Zen to feel gratitude, fear and other negative vibes dispel.
Practicing yoga, meditation and anything that gets your parasympathetic nervous system working helps you live a mindful life.
4. Get outside
Theres a connectedness in nature you can't find anywhere else.
I have found that simply getting outside of the apartment to walk the dog, looking up at the sapphire sky and feeling the sun tickle the hairs on my arms is enough to get me thinking outside of myself.
When we let our pasts follow us around, we are doing one thing extremely well: focusing on ourselves. By getting outside and seeing the world around us, we broaden our perspectives and strengthen feelings of thankfulness.
5. Focus on present relationships and gleaming futures
Lastly, we must do as St. Paul urges us to do we must reach forth unto those things which are before.
As tempting as it is to bathe ourselves with twinkling memories of the past, the more healthy thing to do is look toward glimmering cascades ahead. Focus on the beautiful people you have in your life now and the wonderful adventures that await you in your future. It doesnt matter what happened in the past, because look at what you have in front of you now.
