Since one’s past often impacts the present, it is essential to let go of the past. If your recovery is to be successful, you must understand how to let go of the things which keep you from moving on and finding your way in life. To that end, this article addresses “how to” learn how to let go of what happened in the past and move into life with hope.
Ways You Can Let Go of the past in Recovery
There are a variety of ways in which you can let go of the past in recovery. Some people like to actively let go by talking about it, writing about it, looking at old photographs, or any other method which helps them process their feelings. However, this isn’t always the most effective way for everyone. Therefore there are also other ways you can let go of the past in recovery without necessarily even referring to it.
Acceptance
Chronic bitterness, anger, and resentment toward the past will only serve to sabotage your recovery efforts. The only way to move forward is to accept that there are people and events which are worthy of our love. Chronic complaining about these things only feeds an insatiable desire for revenge – a desire which will ultimately overwhelm you by making you feel powerless. As long as you hold on to those feelings of hurt and despair, you will never feel good enough because you are forever bound to the past in this way. The only way to feel well is to finally accept what happened and let go.
Surrender
Once you have accepted the events of the past, you can then let go by surrendering to them. Slowing down your thoughts to allow yourself more time helps you feel at peace with what happened in the past and allows you to just be in the moment. Doing things simply and without a lot of planning helps you stay present with your feelings and not worry about how they will end up turning out.
Love
Learning how to love yourself and all the things in your background which made you who you are will help you heal. If you truly love yourself, it becomes easier to let go of the past because it no longer has a hold over you. You can see its place in your life without holding onto it or beating yourself up over how it may have defined who you are today. What matters is that you are able to let go of the past, not judge it, and move into a life with hope for the future.
Forgiveness
If you cannot let go of your feelings of bitterness, anger, and resentment toward the past, it may be time for you to reach out to those you feel wronged by. If it is possible for them to make amends, then doing so is essential so that you can finally let go. Otherwise, forgiving them in your heart will allow you to move on with your life and do what is necessary in order to have a happy future.
Gratitude
Learning how to be grateful for the past, you have had helps you let go. You begin to realize how much your life has changed and that others have played a hand in this change. Rather than feeling disappointed with what is, you know there is no point in focusing on what was because they are not the same anymore. Now is a new beginning, and the past is just another part of your life.
Self-Reflection
Analyzing yourself and the past you had allows you to let go. You recognize that being your authentic self is critical to your relationships and your recovery and what is needed for you to move forward in life. You do not need to let go of old memories, but rather, recognize that everything from the past has made an impact on the person who you are today.
Faith
Faith is often the best way to help you let go of the past. It helps you focus on why it was important to you in the first place and what has become more important now. For some people, this means they have realized that faith was put to its greatest test during those trials of their life, thus, it is now able to be used for good and to help others find hope in their lives. In brief, you must let go of the past if you are to move forward in your life and grow.
The best way is to do this by learning how to do so and then moving forward with your goals for recovery. To get help on letting go of the past in recovery, reach out to us at 866-963-7200. We will be glad to help.
