Oh, the foot-in-mouth moments. The awkward blunders. The things we replay in our heads at 2 a.m. with a cringe so strong we bury our face in the pillow. Sound familiar? If you’ve spent part of this year carrying the weight of mistakes, mishaps, or even a little guilt, I’ve got some advice: let that sh*t go.
Seriously, it’s time to release the mental baggage and give yourself permission to move forward. Because the truth is, we’re all human. We mess up. We say the wrong thing. We sometimes drop the ball in spectacular fashion. But holding onto those moments? That’s just extra weight we don’t need to carry into the new year.
Forgive Yourself, First and Foremost
It’s easy to be our own worst critics. We’ll forgive friends and family for their mistakes, but when it comes to ourselves, we’re relentless. Let’s stop that, okay?
Here’s the thing: life is messy, and perfection is a myth. Whatever happened—whether it was an awkward comment at a party or a bigger blunder that still makes you cringe—you can’t go back and undo it. But you can forgive yourself and learn from it.
Ask yourself:
Did I have good intentions?
What did I learn from this?
Can I let this moment define me, or will I choose to grow from it?
Spoiler: Choose growth.
Extend Forgiveness to Others
If there’s someone who rubbed you the wrong way this year, consider letting that go too. (Yes, even that person who cut you off in traffic or said something ridiculous at Thanksgiving.) Forgiveness isn’t about condoning bad behavior—it’s about freeing yourself from carrying resentment.
Holding onto anger only weighs you down. Releasing it is like clearing emotional clutter—it leaves room for better things to enter your life.
How to Start Letting Go
Write it Down, Then Let it Burn (or Toss It):
Grab a piece of paper and jot down the things you’re holding onto—those mistakes, grudges, or nagging regrets. Then destroy it. Burn it (safely), shred it, or toss it. Symbolically releasing it can feel incredibly freeing.
Breathe it Out:
Take a few deep breaths. With each exhale, imagine letting go of the negativity or guilt. Picture it floating away like a balloon.
Shift Your Focus:
Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, think about what went right this year. Reflect on the wins, even the small ones, and give yourself credit for how far you’ve come.
Head Into the New Year Lighter
Releasing emotional weight is as important as releasing physical weight. When you let go of self-criticism, regret, and grudges, you make space for better things—joy, creativity, and opportunities to grow.
This doesn’t mean you need to pretend everything is perfect. But acknowledging what you’ve been holding onto and choosing to let it go? That’s powerful.
So, as you wrap up this year, ask yourself: What am I ready to release?
That one thing I said that didn’t land well? Gone.
The grudge I’ve been holding for far too long? Released.
The belief that I need to be perfect all the time? See ya.
Here’s to a Fresh Start
Let’s head into this new year feeling lighter—physically, emotionally, mentally. Let’s forgive ourselves, let go of what’s weighing us down, and make space for all the good stuff waiting to come our way.
You deserve to feel free. So, let’s do this together: let that sh*t go.
