Let's Just Leave That in 2024.....
If You Could Wave a Magic Wand, What Would You Leave Behind?
What if the first step toward a better year wasn’t about doing more but rather letting go of what’s holding you back?
As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been—the highs, the challenges, and the lessons learned. But how often do we pause to consider what we’re carrying that no longer serves us?
What habits, feelings, or experiences may now weigh us down?
Are there things that once supported us but no longer align with who we’re becoming?
Are there feelings or memories that need to be released so we can move forward without their weight?
Are there anchors keeping us stuck in places where we don’t belong?
As Daphne Rose Kingma beautifully said,
“Holding on is believing there’s only a past; letting go is knowing there’s a future.”
We often think growth requires adding more—more effort, more commitments, more resolutions—but sometimes, the most transformative change begins with release.
What if stepping into the life you want in 2025 starts with letting go of what no longer worked in 2024?
With journal prompts to help you reflect, reset, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead, we’ll find what you are ready to release.
Why Letting Go is Essential for Personal Growth
We all carry emotional and mental clutter—unresolved frustrations, outdated beliefs, or lingering worries. Over time, this can weigh us down, keeping us stuck and unable to move forward.
When you intentionally let go of what’s no longer serving you, you create space for growth, clarity, and new opportunities. This doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring the past—it means learning from it and consciously choosing to move forward without unnecessary baggage.
Key Benefits of Letting Go
Emotional Freedom: Release what’s weighing you down to feel lighter and more at ease.
Renewed Focus: Clear the mental and emotional space to prioritize what truly matters.
Clarity and Growth: Create room for self-discovery and alignment with your values.
Empowerment: Let go of what no longer serves you and reclaim control over your path forward.
Journal Exercise: Reflecting on What’s Holding You Back
Start by reflecting on what you’re ready to release. Use these journal prompts to guide your thoughts:
What’s one thought, fear, or habit weighing me down this year?
Are there any obligations or “shoulds” I’ve been holding onto that don’t align with my goals?
What would my life feel like if I let go of this?
Writing these answers down will help you name the things that no longer serve you and give you a starting point for the letting-go ritual.
Before you begin journaling, take a moment to sit quietly and check in with yourself. Notice any feelings, thoughts, or inner voices that seem most present. Is there a part of you holding onto fear, guilt, or obligation? Imagine gently asking that part:
What are you holding onto, and why?
What do you need from me right now?
Sit with the answers that come up, letting them guide your reflection. Write down any insights that surface. This process can help you identify what’s truly weighing you down and what might need your attention or care before you can let it go.
Writing these answers down will help you name the things that no longer serve you and give you a starting point for the letting-go ritual.
Step-by-Step Letting Go Ritual
Set the Scene: Create a quiet, calming space. Light a candle, play relaxing music, or sit somewhere peaceful where you won’t be interrupted.
Write It Down: On a piece of paper or in your journal, answer these prompts:
What am I ready to release?
How has this held me back?
What did I learn from this experience that I want to take with me?
Before you write, take a moment to check in with yourself. Notice if a part of you feels resistant or uncertain about letting go. Ask that part what it needs or why it’s holding on. Write down what you hear or feel—this can help you acknowledge those inner voices and offer them care as you move forward.
Write a Letter: Take a few extra moments to write a letter to the part of you that held on to what you’re releasing. Thank it for its efforts to protect or guide you, and let it know you’re ready to move forward. Acknowledge its role in your journey and offer reassurance that you’re creating space for something new.
Release It: Choose a way to physically let go of what you’ve written. For example:
Safely burn the paper to symbolize release.
Tear it into pieces and throw it away.
Bury it in the ground as a way to leave it behind.
As you let go, imagine offering comfort to the part of you that held on to this for so long. Recognize its effort and gently let it know it’s okay to release now.
Pause and Reflect: After releasing, take a few moments to breathe deeply and notice how you feel. Let yourself sit in the quiet space you’ve created, free from what no longer serves you.
Setting Intentions for the New Year
Once you’ve let go, the next step is to focus on what you want to create. Intentions don’t have to be big or ambitious—they just need to align with what matters most to you. Often, the most minor acts of self-compassion or the gentlest shifts toward your values can lay the foundation for deep, meaningful growth.
Journal Exercise: Creating Intentions
Reflect on these prompts:
What do I want to feel more of in my relationship with myself?
How can I offer myself kindness as I navigate this next chapter?
What small actions can I take that reflect the values I want to live by?
Examples of small but meaningful intentions for self-compassion and growth:
“I will give myself permission to rest when I feel overwhelmed.”
“I’ll notice when I’m being hard on myself and choose to reframe my inner dialogue with kindness.”
“I’ll practice being present by spending five minutes each day in quiet reflection.”
“I’ll identify one boundary I need to set to feel more aligned with my values.”
“I’ll remind myself that progress isn’t linear and celebrate small wins along the way.”
These intentions aren’t about fixing yourself or achieving perfection—they’re about creating a relationship with yourself built on understanding, respect, and care. When your actions align with your values and self-compassion, even the smallest steps can lead to profound transformation.
Letting go is more than just a mental exercise; it’s a transformative act of self-care. When you release what’s no longer serving you, you’re not just discarding old habits or emotions—you’re making space for something deeper: clarity, freedom, and alignment with your true self.
The Power of Letting Go
Letting go is the first step to creating space for growth and clarity. By releasing what no longer serves you, you open yourself up to new possibilities.
Reflect, process, and release emotional baggage using the letting-go ritual. Writing down your thoughts and physically letting them go helps you move forward with intention.
Start small when setting intentions. Acts of self-compassion and aligning your actions with your values can have a profound impact over time.
Remember, progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistent, thoughtful movement toward the life you want.
Letting go and starting fresh can feel daunting, but following these simple steps will give you the gift of clarity, focus, and self-compassion for the year ahead.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Letting go is a powerful first step toward the life you want. Start with a small, intentional action today—grab your journal, create a quiet space, and release what’s been holding you back.
Looking for deeper support? My workbook, Healing from Betrayal, offers tools and guidance to help you process pain, rebuild trust in yourself, and move forward with clarity and strength.
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Click here to learn more about Healing from Betrayal and create space for what truly matters.