Letting go is not easy, and I get it - because I have been there. I learned the art of letting go late, but I don't want you to feel stuck anymore.

Holding on to things (and people, and dreams, and versions of myself) felt safe for a long time. To be honest, letting go felt like I would lose a part of myself, and I was scared of the consequences. It took time, but I have learned that letting go doesn't have to mean that I am giving up.

In fact, now that I am slowly traveling this path, I am understanding it even better that the art of letting go is more about moving forward with peace, clarity, and purpose.

And perhaps, this is why I want to share this with you not as an expert, but as someone who has walked through this messy, uncomfortable, but freeing process. Yes, it will take time, and there may be uncomfortable moments ahead, but it is going to be worth the effort.

If you are someone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or wondering why peace feels so far away, then this is for you.

What is the art of letting go?

Well, to let go doesn't mean you have to forget something or pretend that something didn't matter or happen. Instead, it is about choosing what you want to carry with you-emotionally, mentally, and even physically-and what you are ready to release.

For me, it started with small steps: letting go of self-doubt, perfectionism, old grudges, and unrealistic expectations. And over time (and trust me when I say, this is going to be a long story), this became a daily practice for me. There was a mindset shift within me that changed how I handled stress, relationships, and, more importantly, my self-worth.

Read me:  Lost In The Chaos? How Minimalism Led Me Back To Real Connection

Why is letting go non-negotiable for your mental health?

I used to think I could keep carrying everything-the stress, and the "should I?", and even the fear of change-and still somehow survive and possibly even thrive. Spoiler alert: I couldn't.

Instead of dealing with what was bothering me inside, I started putting on a mask on the exterior and pretending like I was fine. Even though I thought I was doing fine, in reality, I was breaking myself from within. The truth is, when you hold on to these emotions, they affect you not just mentally and physically, but also manifest in terms of how you work, talk, think, act, and everything.

I would lie if I said I have become an expert in moving forward and letting go, but I have learned a great deal about what I need to put things into perspective. And it's necessary that you do this for yourself, because your mental health matters.

Here's what I learned the hard way: holding on was harming my mental space, and I needed proper mental health support.

• Why mental health is important: Because it impacts everything from your relationships and work to your happiness, sleep, and also your energy. When you slowly learn to let go, it creates space for clarity and calmness.
• Mental health support matters: The important thing is that you don't have to do this alone, and you need to remember this always. Support, whether it is in the form of therapy, trusted friends, or mindfulness practices, is necessary because it will help you feel seen and guided.

How to train your mind to let go?

Letting go is as much about your mindset as it is about the situation. So, here are a few things (it helped me train my mind) that you can do in order to sync your mind and body with the art of letting go:

1. Notice what's weighing you down

Ask yourself what are the thoughts, habits, or relationships that are bothering you. Be honest with yourself and write them down. Awareness is step one in the journey of finding the emotions, relationships, projects, or habits that aren't letting you live happily.

2. Practice self-compassion

You don't need to have it all together at all the time, because it is going to drive you insane otherwise. Once you start to let go of perfection, it can become a powerful way of freeing yourself from expectations and obligations. Be kind to yourself, especially when it's hard, because in the end, you know your value the best.

3. Reframe your thoughts

Instead of saying "I failed," try saying "I learned" and see how liberating it can feel. Instead of saying "I can't," try "I'm trying" and see how your attitude and energy change. Because when you feed your mind with these small positive mindset tips, it creates big shifts over time.

4. Breathe and release

Breathing exercises, journaling, or even a daily walk will help you process and release emotions freely. The art of letting go isn't about making big moves, because smaller, consistent, and mindful ones make a better impact.

Read me: 10 Positive Practices: How to Train Your Mind to Be Happy?

My favourite moving forward, letting go quotes

Okay, so, many a time I find myself losing it all or feel like no matter what I do, it isn't working the way it should. And in those moments when I feel low, I try to cheer myself up (and motivate myself) with words that have been spoken from experience.

These helped me whenever my heart felt heavy:

• "Sometimes letting go is simply changing the labels you place on an event. Looking at the same event with fresh eyes." - Steve Maraboli
• "Holding on is believing there's only a past; letting go is knowing there's a future." - Daphne Rose Kingma
• "Letting go means to come to the realisation that some people are a part of your history, but not your destiny." - Steve Maraboli

If you need a reminder that moving forward is possible, write these 'moving forward' letting go quotes down and put them on your mirror or as your phone wallpaper. Looking at a little motivation just when you need it isn't any random magic, because you make it happen with intentional actions.

Letting go is an ongoing practice

Yes, no matter what others tell you, here is the truth: learning to let go is a continuous journey and not a train station where you reach and the journey is over.

I still have days when I catch myself holding on to old fears or frustrations. But now, instead of ignoring them like before, I notice them and tackle them. I pause, I breathe, and I choose again, every time, because the art of letting go is a process you need to practice all the time.

It is not a one-time thing, but a mindset that you have to practice daily. You have to make it a habit to choose yourself, your peace, and your future every time because once you stop, it will be the same again.

You are not alone

Because if you are at the beginning of your journey, please know that it's okay to feel scared right now. All you have to do is not give up and feel okay to ask for help when you cannot do it alone.

The art of letting go might not be easy, but it will always be worth it every time you try. And I am here, cheering for you every step of the way. 💛

Buy our little E-book on Emotional Minimalism for more such encouraging tips on emotional clarity.

This blog is written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023. Being on the minimalist journey is helping her find her "focus" amidst the chaos.