In the article “How to Let Go and Live More Wholeheartedly,” Annie Armstrong Miyao explores the concept of letting go and finding true fulfillment in life. As a psychotherapist, Miyao understands the pressures and expectations that individuals often place upon themselves. She emphasizes the importance of identifying one’s values and prioritizing what truly matters. By letting go of the imaginary “have-tos” and aligning actions with personal values, individuals can experience more peace, joy, and meaning in their lives. This article offers practical tips and exercises to help readers gain clarity, make conscious choices, and live more authentically.
How to Let Go and Live More Wholeheartedly
Living with a sense of ease, peace, and fulfillment can be challenging in today’s fast-paced world. With endless to-do lists and societal pressures, it’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending cycle of doing. However, it’s essential to take a step back and prioritize our own well-being and happiness. In this article, we will explore practical strategies to let go of unnecessary burdens and live more wholeheartedly.
Check in with yourself
Before diving into the numerous tasks and responsibilities that await us, it’s crucial to check in with ourselves. Tuning in to what’s happening in our mind and body can provide valuable insights into our current state. By taking a moment to do a body scan, starting from the head and working down, we can observe any discomfort or tension. Shifting our focus from external awareness to internal experience allows us to gain a deeper understanding of our emotions and thoughts.
Next, we can describe our mood and thoughts. Are we feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed? Identifying the nature of our thoughts and emotions gives us a clearer picture of our current state. It’s essential to approach this exercise without judgment, understanding that there is no right or wrong way to feel. We are simply observing what is.
Ask yourself what you need
In the pursuit of completing tasks and meeting obligations, we often overlook our internal needs. Taking a moment of quiet and introspection can help us distinguish between external tasks and internal needs. Instead of asking ourselves, “What do I need to do?” we should ask, “What do I need?” It could be as simple as a glass of water or something more substantial, like a walk in nature or quality time with loved ones.
By checking in with our body, mood, and thoughts again after moments of introspection, we can gauge whether anything has shifted. This exercise encourages us to prioritize self-care and attend to our own well-being.
Create a list of your values
Understanding our core values is essential for living more wholeheartedly. Without a clear sense of what we value, it’s easy to get caught up in tasks that don’t align with our beliefs and desires. To create a list of values, we can reflect on the things that fill us up and bring meaning to our lives.
We can start by answering prompts like, “What matters to me?” or “When do I feel good about my day?” These prompts encourage introspection and help us identify the activities, experiences, and relationships that hold significance for us. By writing down our values and highlighting the top 10, we create guideposts to refer to when making decisions or feeling overwhelmed. Regularly asking ourselves if our choices align with our values ensures that we stay true to ourselves.
Identify your imaginary have-tos
Many of us fall into the trap of prioritizing others’ needs over our own. We engage in tasks that drain us or don’t align with our values because we feel obligated to do so. Recognizing these imaginary obligations is crucial for letting go and living more authentically.
To gain clarity on our imaginary have-tos, we reflect on past experiences when we neglected our own needs for the sake of others. By identifying the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with these tasks, we can understand what drains us. Exploring the underlying pressures and origins helps us let go of unnecessary obligations.
We can also offer ourselves advice and set boundaries. If we could go back to those moments when we prioritized others over ourselves, what advice would we give to maintain balance and self-care? Granting ourselves permission to create boundaries allows us to protect our time, energy, and joy.
Get grounded before taking on tasks
Before engaging in tasks, it’s essential to assess their relevance and alignment with our values. We can question whether the tasks fill us up or drain us. Additionally, determining the necessity of these tasks in the context of our day, week, or month is crucial for prioritization.
If a task aligns with our values and is necessary, we can plan how to engage with it mindfully. Slowing down and approaching the task with peace and presence can help us find fulfillment in the process. After completing the task, we should also take time to fill ourselves up, engaging in activities that restore our energy and joy.
Reconciling who we thought we would be with who we are
As we navigate through life, we often face necessary losses and make significant life decisions. These choices shape our identity and can lead to feelings of uncertainty and longing. Reconciling who we thought we would be with who we are presently is a vital part of letting go and living wholeheartedly.
By accepting and embracing our present selves, we allow room for growth and self-discovery. Letting go of outdated ideas of success and embracing our evolving values enables us to live in alignment with who we truly are.
Becoming attuned to the imaginary have-tos
Developing awareness of self-imposed obligations is crucial for letting go and living wholeheartedly. We must recognize when we engage in tasks that are not truly necessary or aligned with our values. By understanding the impact of these obligations on our well-being, we can consciously let go of unnecessary burdens.
Slowing down and being mindful of our pace enables us to identify and release imaginary have-tos. Taking time for self-reflection and introspection allows us to reassess our priorities and make choices that honor our true selves.
Slowing down
In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant busyness of life. However, slowing down is essential for reconnecting with ourselves and living more wholeheartedly. Taking moments for self-reflection and introspection allows us to evaluate our pace and prioritize self-care.
By being mindful of our own well-being and allowing ourselves to pause and rest, we replenish our energy and find greater fulfillment in our daily experiences.
Being curious about the source of your sense of self
Examining the origins of our self-judgment and understanding how we perceive ourselves and others is crucial for living more authentically. By exploring the roots of our self-image, we can challenge limiting beliefs and embrace our current selves as enough.
Being curious about the societal influences and personal experiences that shape our sense of self allows us to break free from self-imposed limitations. We can choose to view ourselves and others with compassion and acceptance, nurturing a more positive and fulfilling inner dialogue.
In conclusion, letting go and living more wholeheartedly requires intentional self-reflection and a commitment to aligning our actions with our values. By checking in with ourselves, identifying our needs, and creating a list of values, we gain clarity and guideposts for decision-making. Recognizing and letting go of imaginary obligations, getting grounded before taking on tasks, and reconciling who we thought we would be with who we are enable us to live more authentically. Slowing down, exploring outdated ideas of success, and being curious about the source of our sense of self further contribute to a more fulfilling and wholehearted life.