Acceptance can be a confusing word. Some things get called “unacceptable” because they are clearly wrong in some ways. And yet if you allow such events or behavior to bother you, someone wise will inevitably turn around and say something like “You need to accept it”. Things happen throughout the course of our lives that we simply have no control over. Whether it is a serious illness, the loss of someone, or losing something that means the world to us.
Just because something was right for you in the past doesn’t mean it still is. This could be a relationship, a job, a home, a habit, etc. It happens to you slowly as you grow. You discover more about who you are and what you want out of life, and then you realize there are deliberate changes you need to make to keep up with the changes happening around you and within you.
Firstly, you must accept the situation that you are in. You must be able to reassure yourself that everything in life happens for a reason. Whatever burden you are facing isn’t accidental. These could be some reasons to let go and move on.
- Someone’s negativity is rubbing off on you: Who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you are and the person you become. If you are around negative people all the time, you will become negative.
- You have grown apart from someone: Sad but true, no matter what you do or how much you explain yourself, some people will gradually evolve away from your core values.
- You are truly unhappy with your current circumstances: It’s always better to be struggling at something you love than succeeding diligently at something you despise.
- Your goals and needs have changed: What was right for you then is not necessarily right for you now. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t letting go but rather realizing that you have changed, and then learning to start over with your new truth.
- Fear is holding you back: Part of letting go and moving on is facing the fears and disappointments of the past that are binding your spirit.
- You catch yourself living in the past: If all you do is attempt to relive something that has already happened, you’re missing out. The mental space you create by letting go of things that are already behind you gives you the ability to fill the space with something fresh and fun.
- An old grudge is still hurting you: Holding on to the weight of anger, resentment and hatred will not only hold you back but also block your present blessings and opportunities.
Holding on is like believing that there’s only a past; letting go and moving on is knowing in your heart that there’s a bright future ahead. Let’s take a look at eight ways to design the latter.
Ways to Let Go and Move On
- Accept the truth and be thankful: To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and helped you learn and grow. It’s the acceptance of everything you have, everything you once had, and the possibilities that lie ahead. It’s all about finding the strength to embrace life’s changes, trust your intuition, learn as you go, realize that every experience has value, and continue taking positive steps forward.
- Distance yourself for a while: Sometimes you need to take several steps back in order to gain clarity on a situation. The best way to do this is to simply take a break and explore something else for a while.
- Focus only on what can be changed: Live, let go, learn what you can, and don’t waste energy worrying about the things you can’t change. Focus exclusively on what you can change, and if you can’t change something you don’t like, change the way you think about it.
- Claim ownership and control of your life: No one else is responsible for you. You are in full control of your life so long as you claim it and own it. If you want to change, if you want to let go and move on with your life, you’re the only person who can make it happen.
- Focus inward: It’s important to make a difference in the world. Yes, it’s important to help people, but you have to start with yourself. Review who you already are, the lifestyle you’re currently living, and what makes you feel alive. Then nurture these things and make positive adjustments until your current life can no longer contain them, forcing you to grow and move beyond your current circumstances.
- Change the people around you: Some people come into your life just to strengthen you, so you can move on without them. They are supposed to be part of your memory. The bottom line is that when you have to start compromising your happiness and your potential for the people around you, it’s time to change the people around you.
- Focus on today: You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict you. Simply forget the past, look straight ahead, and forge toward the future.
Nothing is permanent, everything changes; You are changing. The universe around you is changing You have to simply look at it as an opportunity for a new beginning. You are still capable of doing great things in life, but you have to accept your past and build on it.