The Art of Letting Go: Release What No Longer Serves You
We are writing 2025, a new year, exciting for many but stressful and worrying for others. We want so much to change, we are setting goals, have big dreams of what we want to achieve but sometimes it seems so hard to get there. Do you recognise yourself? I used to feel this heaviness and weight over me as I tried to create goals and intentions, but I felt stuck, and I didn’t seem to get where I wanted. Sometimes we forget that the key is to let go of what no longer serves us and not hold on to things that weighs us down.
Life as a mum is busy and hectic with endless responsibilities and little time for self-reflection. It’s easy to carry emotional, mental and even physical clutter that weighs us down and don’t help us. Getting rid of this clutter that no longer serves us is a powerful act of self-care you can do to bring you renewed energy for the new year. Once you release the burden that holds you back you can create space for growth, new opportunities and greater clarity.
So how does this process work and where do you start? Here are some great tips to get you started so you can feel more empowered and meet the new year with more direction paving the way for a more intentional and fulfilling future.
1. Letting Go of Perfectionism
As mums, we often strive to be everything for everyone – the perfect parent, partner, friend, and professional. This constant chase for perfection can lead to stress and burnout.
Action Step: Embrace imperfection. Focus on doing your best rather than achieving perfection. Celebrate small wins and remind yourself that “good enough” is perfectly okay.
2. Decluttering Your Physical Space
Physical clutter can lead to mental clutter. Simplifying your home environment can help create a sense of calm and order.
Action Step: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to declutter a drawer, shelf, or corner. Involve your kids by turning it into a game, teaching them the value of letting go of things they no longer use.
3. Releasing Negative Thoughts
We all have that inner critic that holds us back with self-doubt and guilt. Letting go of these thoughts can open the door to positivity and growth.
Action Step: Practice mindfulness. When negative thoughts arise, acknowledge them without judgment and bring your focus back to the present moment. Journaling or affirmations like, “I am doing my best, and that is enough,” can help reframe your mindset.
4. Shedding Overcommitment
It’s tempting to say yes to every invitation, school event, or work opportunity. But overcommitting can drain your energy and time.
Action Step: Evaluate your commitments. Learn to say no to things that don’t align with your priorities. Remember, saying no to others often means saying yes to yourself and your family.
5. Practicing Mindful Movement
Yoga and meditation are powerful tools to help release pent-up tension and stress. Certain poses, like Child’s Pose or Forward Fold, encourage surrender and letting go.
Action Step: Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to mindful movement. Use this time to breathe deeply, stretch, and connect with your body. Pair movement with mindfulness by focusing on the sensations in your body and the rhythm of your breath.
6. Adopting Ayurvedic Rituals
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of wellness, emphasizes the importance of releasing toxins from the body and mind.
Action Step: Incorporate simple Ayurvedic practices into your routine, like dry brushing, oil massage (Abhyanga), or sipping warm lemon water in the morning to support detoxification.
7. Letting Go of Expectations
Holding onto rigid expectations – whether for yourself, your kids, or your circumstances – can lead to frustration and disappointment.
Action Step: Focus on the present moment. Practice gratitude for what is, rather than fixating on what should be. Let life unfold naturally and embrace the joy of the unexpected.
8. Creating Space for Joy
When you let go of what doesn’t serve you, you make room for what truly brings happiness and fulfillment. Prioritize activities that light you up.
Action Step: Schedule weekly “joy breaks” – moments dedicated to activities you love, whether it’s a hobby, a walk on the beach, or quiet time with a book.
The Role of Mindfulness in Letting Go
Mindfulness is the foundation of letting go. By being present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, you can identify what is truly important and release the rest. Mindfulness allows you to approach life with a sense of curiosity and non-judgment, making it easier to let go of attachments and focus on what nourishes your soul.
Action Step: Start a daily mindfulness practice, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, and observe your thoughts without trying to change them. Let this practice guide your journey of release and renewal
5-Minute Letting Go Meditation
Find Your Space: Sit comfortably in a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Keep your back straight but relaxed and rest your hands on your lap.
Ground Yourself: Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, feeling your lungs fill with air, and exhale through your mouth, letting tension release with each breath.
Visualize Your Burden: Imagine holding a heavy bag filled with all your worries, stress, or anything weighing you down. Visualize each concern as an item in the bag.
Set the Bag Down: Picture yourself placing the bag on the ground. As you let go of it, feel a sense of relief spreading through your body.
Repeat a Mantra: Silently repeat to yourself: “I release what no longer serves me. I am free to move forward.”
Breathe and Renew: Focus on your breath for the next few moments. With each inhale, invite lightness and renewal into your body. With each exhale, release tension and negativity.
Return to the Present: When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes. Take a moment to notice how you feel—lighter, calmer, and more grounded.
Journaling Exercise: The Art of Letting Go
Journaling can be a transformative tool for self-discovery and release. Use this exercise to reflect on what’s weighing you down and consciously let it go. Dedicate 15–20 minutes to this process in a quiet space.
Step 1: Acknowledge What’s Weighing You Down
Start by answering these prompts:
What is currently causing me stress, frustration, or sadness?
Are there specific habits, beliefs, or relationships that no longer align with my values or goals?
What emotions do I feel when I think about these things?
Step 2: Reflect on the Impact
Understand how these weights affect you by exploring:
How does holding onto these things make me feel mentally, emotionally, and physically?
What might I gain by releasing these burdens?
Step 3: Write a Release Statement
Write a statement to let go of what no longer serves you. For example:
“I release [name the burden] because it no longer supports my growth or happiness. I choose to make space for peace, clarity, and joy.”
Feel free to personalize this statement to fit your situation.
Step 4: Visualize Freedom
Answer these prompts to imagine your life without these burdens:
What will my days feel like when I’ve let go?
What positive emotions or experiences will take their place?
Step 5: Take an Action Step
Letting go isn’t just mental—it’s also actionable. Commit to one small step, such as:
Donating items, you no longer need.
Setting a boundary in a relationship.
Practicing a mindfulness or meditation exercise.
Step 6: Close with Gratitude and Affirmation
End the exercise by writing down:
Three things you are grateful for today.
An affirmation to guide your journey, such as:
“I am free to let go of what no longer serves me and embrace the life I desire.”
Repeat this exercise as often as needed to bring clarity and create space for new opportunities and joy. Letting go is an ongoing practice, and each step helps you move closer to freedom and balance.
Letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about freeing yourself from the weight of what no longer serves you. By embracing mindfulness and releasing perfectionism, clutter, negativity, and overcommitment, you’ll discover more energy, clarity, and joy. Letting go creates space for growth, connection, and the moments that truly matter. I find this a great way to start the year to embrace the present and set your intentions and plan the year. As mums it’s important to not loose ourselves in our caring role but to be true to our passions and goals our happiness easily falls to the side. Make this year, when you give that little extra time to your dreams and start make them a reality.
So, take a deep breath, mum, and ask yourself: What can I let go of today to make room for the life I want to live? You deserve it.
