Letting go: Why we should stop collecting balloons
Let's talk about the art of letting go – specifically, letting go of those painful memories that weigh heavy on our hearts.
It's not an easy journey, but trust me, it's one worth taking.
Those darn balloons
Picture this: you're standing in a vast field, holding onto a bundle of balloons – each balloon representing a painful memory, a moment of heartache or regret.
With every gust of wind, these balloons tug at your grasp, threatening to pull you back into the past.
But then, in a moment of clarity, you realize that you have the power to let go.
That's all well and good, but HOW?
How do we let go, you might ask?
It's not always easy, but here are a few gentle reminders to help you along the way:
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Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's okay to feel pain, anger and sadness. Give yourself permission to acknowledge and honour those emotions without judgement.
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Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself throughout this process. Treat yourself with the same love and understanding you would offer a dear friend.
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Seek Support: You don't have to go through this alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or a therapist who can provide a listening ear and guidance.
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Release Resentment: Holding onto resentment only prolongs your pain. Practice forgiveness – not for the sake of others, but for your own peace of mind.
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Focus on the Present: Redirect your energy toward the present moment and the opportunities it holds. Look for activities that bring you joy and fulfilment.
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Find what works for you: Explore meditation, journaling, or creative expression to help process your emotions.
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Set Boundaries: Sometimes letting go also means setting boundaries to protect your emotional well-being. It's okay to prioritise yourself and your healing journey.
No denial here!
Remember, letting go isn't about forgetting or denying your past.
It's about releasing the hold it has on your present and future.
You CAN reclaim your strength, your joy, and your freedom.
Take a deep breath, bestie, and visualise those balloons – those painful memories – slipping from your grasp, floating away on the breeze.
I started a comment but it “blew away” – LOL! So, as I was saying… I’m Kay although this shows up with my first name and I don’t know how to change it. I received my first Tiny Hug box today and this lovely note from you – YAY! I so love my Tiny Box (especially my turtle everything in it!) and having a chance to learn how to manage my life. I will admit how surprised I was as I read through everything. It’s incredible! I’m 63 and am realizing I NEED this. Your message I received about letting go of the past seemed so simple. Where have I been??? Thank you so much for all the work you do for so many. This just makes my day!
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Aw Kay, I’m so pleased you found us, and that you love your turtle box! Thank you so much for being so lovely :) x
I have some pretty painful memories. One of the things that helped me to let go of some of them has been focussing on good things that came out of the situation. For example, I had a pretty rough time with my health from 2019 to 2021. It’s one of the worst things I’ve had to live through but during that time my spouse and my friends kept me going. So when I feel that baloon starting to tug and threaten to carry me away, I refocus on the time my friend took me to the cinema, or the time my husband went for take out because I couldn’t stand and cook. It has helped so much.
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Oh that’s a fab way of framing things Kat – I’m so sorry you’ve had such a tough time, but really pleased you are focusing on the good things. Sending hugs <3 x
Very helpful, thanks
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Aw I’m so pleased lovely! :) x
Hey Besties
Seriously, this is getting creepy – how do you always know the ideal thing to send at the perfect time?
A few hours ago I had my last session of ‘Talking Therapy’ and he recommended that I use the same weekly timeslot to take some time to review my mental health (after all, nobody needs to know it’s not an actual counselling session). This balloon releasing exercise looks like something that would be great to work through :)
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Sugar and Sloth replied:
Oooh, I hope you find the balloon releasing exercise helpful! Please do let us know if you give it a go lovely :) x
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