Healthy Living

Monday, December 14, 2009

Learn to let go: Use this advice to make peace and move on

When something ends unexpectedly—a relationship, a job—it's natural to crave an explanation, and with it, closure. I know this from experience: A few years ago, a very good friend cut me off completely. I was devastated, but worse, years later, I was still obsessing over whether I could have mended the rift. “Women want to tie up loose ends because we have an irrational fear that letting something go means losing control,” says Larina Kase, Psy.D., a life coach in Philadelphia. I tried Kase's tips to free me from thoughts about my ex-pal. Use this advice whenever you need to come to terms with uncertainty.

STEAL A PEARL OF WISDOM
“Often we can't move on because we haven't yet learned what we're supposed to from a difficult situation,” Kase says. After contemplating whether I'd actually gained some insight from my suffering, I realized I now have a clearer sense of what I need (support) and don't need (capriciousness) from my inner circle.

TALK YOURSELF OUT OF IT
Jot down all the reasons you should stop brooding, then circle the most convincing one, Kase suggests. The best argument on my list: “I need to invest this energy in people who are truly there for me.” Repeat your statement to yourself if you start to stew.

DO A SLOW FADE

When painful feelings inevitably arise, “think of the emotions as a song on the radio and turn the volume down low,” Kase says. “It's not about forcing the feelings away but acknowledging them, then shifting your focus to something more productive.”

WRITE ON
Express yourself on paper, then destroy the evidence. “You will send yourself the message that you've accepted the situation,” Kase says. So I wrote a note telling my friend she'd hurt me. But before I shredded it, I realized I'd penned something shocking: “I forgive you.” Knowing I had that capacity freed me, finally, to do just that.

—Sarah Jio

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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 30
  • m@r!@'s Avatar
    Posted by m@r!@ Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:32pm PDT

    QTIP... awesome advice. Love it!

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  • Ashanta's Avatar
    Posted by Ashanta Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:33pm PDT

    what about men? They need advise on learning how to let go.

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  • Cindy's Avatar
    Posted by Cindy Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:30pm PDT

    I just love all the comments and i just want thu a FIRING of a job of 5 years over something that I did not do but the thing that got me the most was a new employee who wanted my and wanted to be me. She also got others involed but mosst of all the MANAGER hand it in for me from her 1st day there so in a way I new it was going to happen. I was set up! Today at a wedding all these people were there and it was hard not to say something to them but I did not I had a good time and showed them it did nto get me down! That made me feel great!

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  • zintle's Avatar
    Posted by zintle Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:25am PDT

    hey i had a situation where i broke up with my boyfriend because of what he did to me but i time i learnt to forgive him i realy hated him i wanted nothing to do with him but now i forgave him in my heart and you know it does take time to forgive you just have to search yourself and try to forgive because thats the only way you can move on with your life and never look back.

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  • Mobiism's Avatar
    Posted by Mobiism Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:32am PDT

    Let it go!! You need positive energy to accomplish a positive outcome.

    Here's how: www.mobiism.com

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  • Moody Amy's Avatar
    Posted by Moody Amy Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:08pm PDT

    Easy to say,,,, but not easy to do!

    But with a strong faith and brave intention I am sure you can do it and let it go.

    And whenever you feel weak, you just ask your self; does it worth it? Does he/ she deserves my sorrow and pain? why dont I carry on my life and give a chance to another partner ;)

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  • Keith's Avatar
    Posted by Keith Sun Jul 27, 2008 2:18pm PDT

    thank you guyus gals for all the great words , try ing to let go and just be there as a friend and this is taken some time I love her but not in love with her so Im going to try no sex ,just close partner I dont know.?,any sugestions?

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:23pm PDT

    I dunno about all this letting go rot .... when you run across some things that you were meant to hold onto or something that was meant 2b.

    I guess it's a delicate balance of holding on and letting go all at the same time ..... and trying not to make a mistake that one might regret.

    "Regrets suck and guilt blows ... and neither gets you off. "

    (that's from my best good friend Hubie Quiva Schlitz)

    Dreamers always have their dreams ... which is ALL they really NEED.

    Watch out for dream-stealers though .... they r dead-hearted @$$holes - rank right up there with cops, lawyers, judges, and mental health processionals ..... ha ha ha psychos. ;0)

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  • mummy's Avatar
    Posted by mummy Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:57pm PDT

    Thanks...it helps....

    I'm in this situation right now, to learn to let go.Twelve years ago this man said he loves me, and i believed him, but he left me, without a word, without an explaination. All these years, I've never forgotten him, especially the recent years, I kept thinking about him, though we've lost contact, but i managed to find him in facebook.finally we meet,and he told me he've been trying to hunt me down as well, though i don;t know how much should i believe him...he claimed that he did love me although both of us are married now.....and he said our meeting has rekindled the love he has for me.....i was happy for a while, but his calls and emails became less frequent.....and again, he disappeared without a word......

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  • Tomasa's Avatar
    Posted by Tomasa Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:27pm PDT

    Most all comments are very helpful, there's different emotions to different situation. Myself, I find it easy to go to a quiet place and scream at the top of my lungs.... Talk about a great release....

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