The Art of Letting Go – Free Yourself from What Holds You Back
Written By Salvatore Iacona
Welcome back, fellow traveler!
We all carry baggage. Some of it is light, filled with memories and lessons that have shaped us. But other times, it’s heavy—packed with regrets, past mistakes, toxic relationships, and fears that weigh us down.
We tell ourselves we’ve moved on, but deep inside, we know the truth. We replay conversations from years ago, hold grudges that exhaust us, and cling to old versions of ourselves that no longer fit.
I’ve been there too. There were times when I held on to situations long past their expiration date—jobs I no longer loved, friendships that had become one-sided, even an identity that I had outgrown but was too afraid to shed. Letting go felt like losing a part of myself, so I resisted. I justified my pain, convinced myself that if I just held on a little longer, things would change.
But they didn’t. Nothing changed until I did.
And so, I started to ask myself: What if letting go wasn’t about losing, but about making space?
What if, by releasing what no longer served me, I could finally welcome the things that were meant for me?
That’s when I realized something powerful: letting go is not an act of weakness. It’s an act of courage.
Why Do We Hold On?
If you’ve ever struggled to let go, know that you’re not alone. It’s human nature to cling to the familiar, even when it hurts us.
Sometimes, we hold on because:
We’re afraid of change. The unknown is scary, and even pain can feel safer than uncertainty.
We feel guilt or regret. We punish ourselves, believing we don’t deserve to move forward.
We’re attached to the past. We romanticize old relationships, jobs, or habits, convincing ourselves that they were better than they actually were.
We mistake letting go for failure. We think giving up means we lost, instead of realizing that walking away is sometimes the bravest choice we can make.
Sound familiar? It’s okay. Awareness is the first step.
My Moment of Letting Go
There was a time when I held onto something that wasn’t serving me. It wasn’t dramatic—no heartbreak, no huge mistake—just a slow, quiet cycle of stagnation.
For months, I was stuck in the same routine. I worked the late shift, came home at 1:00 AM, stayed up until 3:00 AM watching shows, eating junk food, and scrolling endlessly on my phone. I’d wake up late, barely have time to get ready, and then repeat the cycle all over again.
I kept telling myself I’ll change tomorrow, I’ll fix my schedule next week, I just need some motivation.
But tomorrow never came. Next week never changed. And motivation? It never magically appeared.
One night, as I sat in my dimly lit room, halfway through another mindless episode, I felt a deep exhaustion—not just physically, but emotionally. I realized I wasn’t just tired; I was stuck.
I was holding on to a version of myself that no longer aligned with the person I wanted to be.
And at that moment, I asked myself: What am I really afraid of?
The answer was uncomfortable: I was afraid of effort. I was afraid of discipline. I was afraid of stepping into a new version of myself because it meant leaving behind the old, familiar one.
That’s when I decided. Enough.
I turned off the screen, cleaned my space, and set my alarm for an earlier hour. The next day, I pushed myself out of bed, resisted the pull of old habits, and took one small step toward the person I wanted to become.
And that’s the thing about letting go. It’s not always one big dramatic moment. Sometimes, it’s a series of small decisions that eventually transform your entire life.
The Freedom That Comes with Letting Go
Looking back, I realize something powerful: what I was afraid to let go of was actually what was holding me back the most.
The comfort of my old routine was keeping me trapped. The fear of effort was stopping me from making progress. The guilt of wasted time was preventing me from using my time better.
Once I let go, I felt lighter. My energy returned. I became more present, more motivated, and more in control of my life.
That’s what letting go does—it frees you.
It creates space for new habits, new opportunities, and new growth. It allows you to evolve instead of staying stuck in a past that no longer serves you.
And the best part? Once you let go of one thing, you start to realize how much power you actually have.
What About You?
So now, I ask you: What are you holding on to?
A regret? A toxic habit? A relationship that no longer brings you peace? A fear of change?
Whatever it is, take a deep breath and remind yourself: You are not your past. You are not your mistakes. You are not your fears.
You are someone who is capable of choosing something better.
Letting go isn’t easy—but neither is staying stuck. And the only way forward is to release what’s behind you.
So today, take one step. Just one. Maybe it’s a small action, maybe it’s a mindset shift, maybe it’s a simple acknowledgment that you’re ready to move forward.
Whatever it is, do it. Because your journey is waiting. And it’s time to walk forward—free, light, and ready for whatever comes next.
Final Thoughts
Letting go isn’t about forgetting. It’s about choosing peace over pain, growth over stagnation, and possibility over fear.
It’s about making space for the life you actually want.
And the sooner you let go, the sooner you’ll be able to grab hold of something truly worth keeping.
So go ahead — drop the weight, step forward, and embrace your journey.
Because the best is yet to come.