“Letting Go” is Essential in Grief Recovery

Get Rid of Unwanted Baggage

Sometimes when we are grieving, we have to let go of the things that weigh us down. It’s hard to effectively move forward from any kind of loss when we’re dragging around unnecessary baggage. “Letting go” is essential in grief recovery, in any recovery! “Letting go” doesn’t mean you forget your past, it doesn’t mean you are to release the love and happy memories of your special person or what you’ve lost. You will always have the memories that give you joy. Your relationships, memories, or love of that special person will always be a part of you. You never have to let those good things go but you must get rid of the unwanted baggage.

Release the Negatives

“Letting go” refers to releasing the negatives. It is essential to let go of the discouraging thoughts, pessimism, and emotional toxins that cause you pain and delay your progress. Toxins are poison that harms the body, mind and spirit and holding on to these things will only hold you back in your recovery. What you need to let go of is the unforgiveness, fear, guilt, “what-ifs,” regrets, anger, depression, shame, bitterness and any other harmful thoughts and emotions.

Acceptance

There will come a time that you need to let go of the “old world” and readjust to a new one without your loved-one or what you’ve lost and the familiar things that are gone. It’s also best to let go of false hopes and expectations. This is the time of acceptance. Accept your loss and the changes it has brought to your life. Explore in detail of what that means to you. What do you want to release? What do you need to release? What negatives do you want to leave behind as you move forward? What will set you free?

Become a New Creation

Talk about these things with a trusted person or pray about it. God is the ultimate in letting the old go and creating the new. That includes you; He will help you release all the negative and destructive things in your life so you can become a new creation with a fresh heart. You could journal your thought and feelings or list the things you would like to and need to let go of. Maybe you would like to write a letter to the person who is no longer in your life or to the person you feel is responsible for your loss. This letter never has to be read by anyone but you, however, there is incredible power in releasing your thoughts and emotions onto paper and out of your heart and your mind. Search your soul to honestly discovery what you must let go of. Just remember that “letting go” doesn’t mean you give up the love, joy and happy memories; you’re only releasing the caustic thoughts, destructive feelings, and painful memories. So release the things that weigh you down and step into your freedom.