Let Go of What Used To Be and Invite In What Is Possible From Here

When I was a kid I took gymnastics and I was pretty good at it. I placed second all-around at a regional gymnastics tournament in 5th grade. I was always athletic and could do the splits, back walkovers, and move from headstand to handstand with ease.

One day in college, I realized I could no longer do the splits. I changed what I practiced. This isn’t good or bad, it just is.

Over the years I have let go of attachment to the things I used to do and it hasn’t always been easy but the process of embracing what is now feels a lot better, honoring where I am in this moment, and being open to learning and growing and practicing mindfulness, and living with ease and flow. I have created space to practice being a mother, running a business, teaching yoga, and integrating DEI and mental fitness across the communities I serve.

I have met a lot of people who are afraid to move forward because they are mourning the past. I understand that change is difficult. I also know that learning how to move forward in a new way with new information leads us to innovation. If we always do things the way we’ve always done them, that is status quo.

Imagine you are holding a lot of tension and you clench your fists. This motion is one of holding onto something very tightly like you just can’t let go. Stress in your body increases and everything becomes more difficult.

When we start to let go of that tension we can begin to detach from being our ideas and instead hold things lightly with space to explore new ideas and invite others in. This process of letting go helps us embrace new habits that serve us better. It allows us to connect more deeply to those around us, seeing people with empathy and love.

Sometimes we do things out of habit without realizing that it no longer serves us or maybe holds us back. Recognizing these patterns helps build self-awareness so we can shift to intentional action and focus.

What is one thing you are ready to let go of? Try this. Write down one thing you are letting go of and then rip it up into small pieces or put it in a fireplace and set it free. Then write down one habit that will serve you better right now. Write it down and post it on a board or plant it in a pot with a flower seed and let it grow into something beautiful.

Or try it this way. Sit in a comfortable seat, palms open and face up in your lap or on your knees. Rip up the thing you are letting go of and hold it tightly in your fists. Then open your palms and throw it all away as you say: “You used to serve me but you no longer do. I will now set you free and make space for new beginnings.”

Then with the something new hold it lightly in your palms and say it out loud. Say: “I am excited for new beginnings. I welcome in (new habit or intention). With this (new habit/intention) I look forward to being (new outcome like more present to what is in my life now – people, friendships, health, vision, courage, living in alignment with values, kinder, more resilient, more aware, etc). Then place it between your palms, with palms at your heart center and say, “I invite in (name the intention and the outcome).”

Close your eyes, imagine the outcome, feel it in your body. When you are done, consider posting it on a board or your wall, framing it, or adding it as a reminder to your calendar.

What served us 10 years ago may not serve us anymore. The people in our lives may not be the right people for us anymore. The behavior we used to take might not be the right action for us anymore.

Every day you get to choose what action you take, what mindset you show up with, and how it will serve you. I am practicing every day and I embrace my imperfections and my growth as beautiful parts of being human.