How to use your body to soothe your mind.

Calm Practice

Letting Go

We hold on to all kinds of things in life: people, old habits, emotions, resentment, limiting beliefs, relationships… We really want to just ‘get over it’ or ‘let it go’ but it is hard than we thought. 

This practice can help demonstrate some of the nuances around ‘letting go.’

Here’s how!

1. Grab an object that you can hold in your hand such as, a pen.
2. Wrap your hand around the object and hold it firmly.
3. Repeat these instructions: ‘Do not let this go;’ ‘Hold on tightly;’ ‘Do not allow my grip to loosen.’
4. Continue to repeat the instructions, gripping your object for one (1) minute.
5. Next, let it go. Drop it. Right now.

Do you still feel an imprint of the object on your hand and fingers?

Do you notice the ‘echoes’ of holding onto the object; the sensations of gripping in your hand?

Did you drop the object right away or did you pause? 

Was there a part of you that wanted to hold on or felt like letting go quickly was tricky?

There is no right or wrong outcome. Holding on might feel uncomfortable or even painful.  We may sometimes hold onto things even though it does not feel good any more. Letting go is not always easy either. Often the thing we are trying to let go of is something we have held onto for a long time. A part of us might not want to let go or is stuck in a pattern of holding on. When we do let go, we might still feel the imprint of the thing we held onto for quite some time.

When thinking about letting something go, ask yourself:

• Does this still serve me?
• What effect is holding on having on me?
• What is getting in the way of me letting go?
• What might things be like if I let this go?

Remember that what you resist persists. Allow your emotions and give yourself grace and compassion in your journey of letting go.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference 

Ballagh, R. (2024). Twists. 101 Ways to Find Calm: How to Use Your Body to Soothe Your Mind. P. 88-89.