The Art of Letting Go

Stress is a part of life, but holding onto it for too long can take a toll on your mental and physical health. For years, I struggled with letting go of stress—I’d replay conversations in my head or worry about things I couldn’t change. Mindfulness taught me that letting go isn’t about ignoring stress but about accepting and releasing it in healthy ways.

The first step to letting go is recognizing when you’re holding onto stress. For me, this often shows up as tightness in my shoulders or a racing mind. Awareness is the key—it’s hard to let go of something you haven’t acknowledged.

Once I notice stress creeping in, I turn to my breath. Deep, intentional breathing is one of the quickest ways to calm my nervous system and create space to process my emotions. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale slowly through your mouth for six. Repeat this a few times, and you’ll feel your body begin to relax.

Another practice that helps me is reframing my thoughts. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” Shifting my focus from the problem to the solution makes stress feel less overwhelming.

Journaling is also a powerful tool for letting go. Writing down my thoughts and feelings helps me release them from my mind and gain clarity. Sometimes, I’ll write a letter to myself, offering compassion and encouragement, which makes a huge difference.

Letting go of stress doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility—it’s about releasing what’s outside of your control. I often remind myself of the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Finally, mindfulness teaches us that letting go is a practice. It’s not about flipping a switch but gently releasing stress each time it arises. Through breathing, reframing, and self-compassion, I’ve learned to let go of what doesn’t serve me and focus on what truly matters.