Every once in a while, I pause to take a look at my life. More often than not, I’ll find that my life isn’t where I want it to be. When feeling this way, I decide to “purge”  things that don’t help me achieve the life I want.

My past decisions have taught me I need to have a supportive, caring people on my team. I want people who want to see me succeed. I’ve met people who pulled me down. They’ve encouraged the anxious and depressive episodes. It’s time for them to go. I’ve let many people go throughout my life. Has it always been by choice? No. Have I regretted cutting someone out later? Never. Sure, I’ll miss the people, but I don’t regret leaving those who aren’t good for me. It’s taken me years to realize how beneficial letting go is, but I know now.

Other people have never controlled my actions, but they’ve influenced them. Some of these influences were negative, and there’s been an impact. My loyalty kept me in some situations I knew weren’t healthy for me. I started looking out for myself.

It’s okay to let go of other people. It’s okay to cut someone out of your life if they aren’t the best influence. Cutting negative people loose has been great for me. It’s allowed me to take steps forward and move in a more beneficial direction.

I’ve also learned that it’s okay to let go of items that bring up painful memories. I’ve always been a sentimental hoarder. When I cleaned out my room, I saw so many useless things I’d held onto because they had meaning. I needed to teach myself that sometimes, you need to let go of something. Some things are sentimental, but they can cause pain.

If someone or something has been in your life for a long time doesn’t mean it needs to stay there. If something causes you pain, it is more than okay to let go. To move forward, admit to yourself that letting go is okay. You will still live a full life without the things you leave behind. Your life will go on, and it might even improve. Letting go of things will lift a huge weight off your shoulders. The memories behind the item you’re holding onto will still be there.  The pain will fade as you release your grip on the past.

Letting go of things or people is hard, but know that in the end, holding onto some of these things, these people, maybe the worst thing you can do for yourself. If something is telling you to let go, set it free. In the end, you will be better off without it.