“Just let it go and be happy,” they say.
If only it were that simple for all of us.
There’s no denying that act of letting go is simple. You suddenly stop holding onto the thing that is taking up your time, your space, or your energy. But the process of letting go can be a timely and complicated journey.
The most important lesson I’ve learned in the process of letting go is to validate the thoughts and feelings when we decide to part with someone or something. And while happiness is something we all deserve to feel, emotional pain is something that demands to be felt.
To deny yourself moments of grief is to deny yourself a significant part of your journey. So no matter how big or small of a loss it is, let yourself grieve when necessary. In those moments, you’ll get some of your best thinking done. You’ll draw some of the best conclusions about yourself and your purpose that you may have never considered before.
Acceptance, gratitude, and growth are waiting for you on the other side of grief. You will get there at your own pace.