Finding Peace in Letting Go of the Past

I’ve held on to so many things in my life—old friendships that faded mistakes I couldn’t forgive myself for, and situations I thought I could fix if I just tried harder.  I used to think that letting go meant giving up, or maybe even admitting defeat.  But I’ve learned that it’s not about quitting.  It’s about making space for what’s truly meant for you. 

One of the hardest things I’ve been learning to let of of is my past mistakes.  A lot of the time, I focus on moments I still cringe over, replaying them in my mind like they just happened.  For me, I overthink everything.  So sometimes at 1 a.m., I’ll start thinking about something from years ago and mull it over for hours.  The past is full of ups and downs, but I find myself focusing more on the downs.  And yes, we all make mistakes and eventually move on from them (or at least we try to), but they can still hit us hard the moment a memory resurfaces. 

It’s easy to get so stuck in the past that it affects my mood and energy for an entire day.  But I’m learning to let go of those moments and see them for what they are.  Which is a part of the story that brought me to where I am now.  I’m more self-aware, I know what I want and what I don’t, and I no longer let my past define me.  My focus now is on staying present and moving forward. 

Sometimes what we hold on to isn’t just mistakes, but relationships that changed.  Maybe it’s an old friend you drifted from, and you replay the “what ifs” in your head, wondering if it was your fault.  I had a friendship like that.  We were inseparable for years until one day we exchanged hurtful words. Now we’re more like acquaintances.  I’ve spent years reflecting on it, feeling sad, and blaming myself.  But recently, I realized that it’s a two-way street.  And I’m learning to let go of that pain too. 

Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting.  It doesn’t mean the memories disappear.  It’s just means I’m no longer carrying the weight of what I can’t change.  It’s releasing the need to fix the past and making room for the present.  And in that space, I’ve found a sense of peace that I didn’t know I was missing.