1
Let go of everyone else’s expectations of yourself. The only expectations you ever need to fulfill are your own. Set your own standards and then, crush them. Everyone has a different path in life. Some people will get to where they want to be sooner than others. This doesn’t mean that you’re falling short, it just means you have a different path. Embrace it.
2
Let go of the idea that life has to be perfect in order for it to be going right. No one has a “perfect life.” In fact, everyday, bad shit happens to good people. Just because you’re having a bad day, does not mean you’re having a bad life.
3
Let go of your past. So you made mistakes. Guess what? That makes you human. You can’t go around beating the sh*t out of yourself for making a few wrong turns on the road of life. As long as you’re learning from the things you’ve done “wrong,” you can always make them right.
4
Let go of the idea that you’re a failure unless you have the perfect job in your 20’s. Not everyone lands the dream gig straight out of college. In fact, most people who do end up in their dream careers in life fought like hell to get there. They’ve had to suffer in a lot of crap offices, companies and positions before they ever stepped foot into their dreams. Don’t give up.
5
Let go of being the victim. You may have been dealt a bad deck of cards in your life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a pretty good play with that hand. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get off your ass to make things happen. You’re unhappy with the way things are going? Good, that means you’re self aware and know that you need to make some changes. Big changes. Make this year your year.
6
Let go of anyone who makes you feel like you are hard to love. Point. Blank.
7
Let go of hating your body. If you feel overweight, change your diet. You don’t have to cut out everything you love, but slowly incorporate healthy alternatives into your everyday meals. Get active at least three times a week. If you can’t find time for a gym, do at home workouts. They have free, guided, at-home workouts all over the Internet. Open up YouTube and find yourself the perfect one for you. Get out of bed, and do it.
8
Let go of “what if.” Life moves forwards, not backwards. The more you look back, the messier your future is going to become. Accept the fact that things ended – friendships, relationships, opportunities – and look forward to the new things that are to come.
9
Let go of friendships that are toxic for you. No matter how long you have known someone, or how close you may be, not all friendships are healthy for your life. If someone is bringing you down, making you feel judged or unappreciated, don’t be scared to distance yourself. Toxicity will only bring you down.
10
Let go of anger. All anger and any anger. Road rage. Impatience. Fury when you find out someone ate your last Kit Kat bar you were saving. Life goes on. Don’t allow the smaller moments to ruin the bigger picture.
11
Let go of your ex who did not appreciate you. Sure, the sex may have been fantastic, and you may have some great memories with them. But, an ex is an ex for a reason. Going back to an ex is like drinking a carton of spoiled milk. It seems like an off idea and it tastes even worse than you could have imagined it would.
Also, delete the pictures.
12
Let go of fear that people may judge you for being unapologetically yourself. Do not sugar coat who you are in order to serve others. Your feelings are always valid because they are yours. Your thoughts as well.
13
Let go of shame. If you need help, get help. Whether it be for anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, alcoholism – no matter what problems you may face, there is always a way out. Never be ashamed to ask for help.
14
Let go of negative thoughts. The more you think about what is wrong, the less you will ever visualize what is right. Every time you feel a negative thought coming, block it with something positive. The more you do this, the better you will feel.
15
Let go of hurt. Allow yourself to heal from all pain you have encountered in the past year. Forgive people who have hurt you and forgive yourself for allowing it. Look at your pain as battle scars, pushing you forward to become a stronger person.
16
Let go of the idea that you need to create a persona of perfection. Social media brainwashes us to believe that everyone else is living an “ideal life,” and in turn, we feel like big sacks of sh*t that is not having an insane time out on the town, a beautiful beachfront vacation, or a significant other to post make-out session pictures with. As long as your personal life is happy, filled with life and love, forget the other crap.
17
Let go of guilt. Whatever you have decided to do in your life, you have once wanted. Never feel guilty for going after what you want because it means you had enough balls to chase after it.