16 Important Things to Let Go of This Year

Let’s Talk About Toxic Things to Let Go of

This blog post will go over 16 mental and physical things to let go of to improve your life. We’ll also look at why these things are holding you back and how to overcome them.

We all have things in our lives that weigh us down and make it difficult for us to live our best lives.

Negative thoughts, toxic relationships, unhealthy habits, or physical possessions that no longer serve a purpose are examples of this. But now is the time to let go of these things and move on.

This post is meant to serve as a guide and source of inspiration for you as you embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Continue reading if you’re ready to make positive changes in your life.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and purchase something I recommend, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

These Are the Things to Let Go of to Be Happy

1. Negative Self-Talk and Self-Doubt

Deciding to let go of negative self-talk and self-doubt can be a tough conversation with yourself. It’s hard to stop believing that past mistakes or events define who you are and what you can do.

Negative self-talk and self-doubt can really hurt your self-esteem and confidence. They can make you feel like you’re not good enough and make it harder to reach your goals.

When times get tough, it’s easy to fall into the habit of using negative thoughts to cope. But remember, this is not the easy way out. Overcoming self-doubt takes effort and patience, but it’s definitely possible with practice and kindness toward yourself.

Changing negative thought patterns can be hard at first, but it’s worth it. With time, it can lead to better mental health and a more positive outlook. Try the following to overcome negative self-talk and self-doubt:

1. The first step is to figure out where your negative thoughts are coming from.
2. Question whether those negative thoughts are true, and replace them with positive and rational thinking.
3. Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion.
4. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
5. Focus on your achievements and strengths.
6. Participate in activities that will boost your confidence and self-esteem.
7. Practice mindfulness and take time to reflect on yourself.
8. If needed, don’t hesitate to ask a therapist or counselor for help.

I personally found a lot of help from the book “How to Stop Overthinking: The 7-Step Plan to Control and Eliminate Negative Thoughts, Declutter Your Mind and Start Thinking Positively in 5 Minutes or Less“.

You might also like: How to Escape a Bad Headspace for Good

2. Holding Grudges and Resentment

Grudges and resentment can be harmful to your mental and emotional health. They can fill you with anger, bitterness, and stress. These negative feelings can also hurt your relationships, communication, and ability to solve problems.

Holding onto grudges is tough because it often leads to judgmental thoughts and a feeling that you’re a victim. Letting go of the idea that you’ve been wronged can be hard, especially if you’ve been hurt or lost sleep over a painful experience.

But holding onto grudges only keeps you stuck in pain and stops you from moving forward. Instead, you can choose to focus on your growth and happiness, leaving the past behind.

Forgiving and letting go of resentment can bring you more peace of mind and help improve your relationships. Here are some steps you can take to let go of grudges and resentment:

1. Acknowledge and understand your emotions.
2. Think about why you’re holding onto grudges or resentments.
3. Practice forgiveness and let go of the past.
4. Focus on the present moment and what you can do to make it better.
5. Consider other people’s viewpoints.
6. Communicate openly and honestly with those involved.
7. Engage in self-care and activities that help reduce stress.
8. Work on keeping a positive attitude.
9. Develop gratitude and appreciation for the good things in your life.

3. Fear of Failure and the Unknown

Fear of failure and the unknown can stop you from chasing your dreams and fully enjoying life. It can bring stress, anxiety, and self-doubt, making it hard to take risks or try new things.

Keep in mind, fear of failure and the unknown is something everyone experiences, and it can be overcome with time and effort. By facing your fears, you can build strength, boost your confidence, and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Try the following to overcome your fear of failure and the unknown:

1. Acknowledge and accept your fear.
2. See your fear of failure as an opportunity to grow and learn.
3. Embrace the unknown and accept uncertainty.
4. Focus on the present moment and what you can control.
5. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
6. Start fresh with small steps and build your confidence over time.

Here’s the only self-confidence workbook that you need to become unstoppable.

4. Perfectionism and Unrealistic Expectations

Perfectionism can lead to feelings of not being good enough, self-doubt, and stress. It can also stop you from enjoying life and limit your chances to grow and improve.

Letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations can help you live a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. Many people set very high standards for themselves and feel the need to be perfect at everything.

But letting go of the idea that everything must be perfect helps us accept ourselves as human beings who make mistakes.

You don’t have to pressure yourself to be perfect or have everything figured out all the time. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most in your day. Try the following to overcome perfectionism and unrealistic expectations:

1. Recognize and understand your perfectionist tendencies.
2. See perfectionism as a journey, not a final goal.
3. Set achievable and realistic goals.
4. Be kind to yourself, practice self-compassion, and understand that it’s okay to make mistakes.
5. Focus on progress, not perfection.
6. Celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how small.
7. Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.
8. Learn to let go of your failures and mistakes.

You might also like: Practical Habits to Adopt for Achieving Success

5. Holding Onto Toxic Relationships

Keeping toxic relationships can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional health. It causes stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It can also keep you from having healthy and fulfilling relationships.

It can be difficult to let go of toxic relationships, but it’s important to prioritize your mental and emotional health.

By letting go of a relationship (this can include one-sided relationships), you can make room in your own life for healthy and fulfilling relationships. Try the following to let go of toxic people:

1. Recognize and understand the harmful nature of the relationship.
2. Set healthy boundaries and clearly communicate them.
3. Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support.
4. Take care of yourself by practicing self-care and prioritizing your well-being.
5. Think about what you need and deserve in a relationship.
6. Consider how the toxic relationship affects your life, and if needed, make a plan to leave.
7. Release any guilt or blame, and focus on moving forward.
8. Seek help if the relationship involves abuse or violence.

Here’s a workbook that helps you finally understand your needs and set boundaries.

6. Limiting Beliefs

Limiting beliefs and self-imposed limitations can prevent you from reaching your full potential and living your life fully.

They can cause unnecessary stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy, making it difficult for you to pursue your goals and dreams.

You will gain confidence, pursue your goals and dreams, and live a more fulfilling life by letting go of these limitations. Here’s what you can do to overcome limiting beliefs and the limits you put on yourself:

1. Recognize and understand your limiting beliefs and the limitations you place on yourself.
2. Change negative thoughts and beliefs into positive ones.
3. Use positive affirmations and positive self-talk.
4. If needed, reach out to a therapist or counselor for support.
5. Take small steps to build your confidence and challenge your limiting beliefs over time.

7. The Need for Control

The need for control can lead to stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. It can make it hard to adjust to change and limit your ability to stay flexible and strong.

This desire for control can also hurt your relationships and stop you from enjoying life. While wanting control is a natural feeling, you can manage and overcome it with time and effort.

By letting go of the need for control, you can live a more fulfilling life, become more resilient, and improve your relationships. Try the following to overcome the need for control:

1. Recognize and understand your need for control.
2. Focus on what you can change and accept what you can’t.
3. Let go of the outcome and trust the process.
4. Embrace uncertainty and accept the unknown.
5. Learn how to delegate tasks and responsibilities.
6. Develop a growth mindset and enjoy the process of learning and growing.

8. The Need to Compare

The need to compare causes negative feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction.

It can also keep you from being present in the moment and living life to the fullest. Constant comparison can also cause stress and anxiety, as well as damage to your relationships with others.

Comparison is the thief of joy. You can live a more fulfilling life when you realize that letting go of everything doesn’t have to be hard.

You will increase your self-esteem and improve your relationships with others by letting go of the need to compare. To get rid of comparing yourself to others, try the following:

1. Recognize and understand your habit of comparing yourself to others.
2. Practice gratitude by focusing on what you have, not on what you don’t have.
3. Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.
4. Embrace your unique qualities and strengths.
5. Focus on your own progress and growth.

You might also like: The Essential Tips for Living a Happier, Simpler Life

9. Negative Patterns

Negative patterns can cause stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. They can hamper your ability to make positive changes in your life and limit your ability to reach your full potential.

Negative patterns can also damage relationships and keep you from experiencing joy and fulfillment in your life. You can live a more fulfilling life, increase your resilience, and improve your relationships by letting go of negative patterns.

Try the following to break negative patterns:

1. Recognize and understand your negative patterns.
2. Practice mindfulness and self-reflection.
3. Challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs.
4. Identify triggers and create strategies to cope with them.
5. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

Here’s a workbook that teaches you exactly how to stop every kind of negative thinking.

10. Unhealthy Habits and Addictions

Unhealthy habits and addictions like these ones here can lead to physical and mental health issues, as well as a decrease in your quality of life.

They can also damage relationships, stifle personal growth, and keep you from reaching your full potential. Breaking an unhealthy habit or addiction is a difficult process, but it is doable with the right support and resources.

Seek help and be patient with yourself as you strive for a healthier and more fulfilling life. Try the following to break bad habits and overcome addictions:

1. Recognize and accept the issue.
2. Seek professional help, such as from a therapist or addiction specialist.
3. Create a network of family and friends to help you.
4. Maintain your physical and mental health by practicing self-care.
5. Create effective coping mechanisms.
6. Set attainable and realistic small goals.
7. Avoid triggers and high-risk situations.

11. Excessive Stress and Worry

Excessive stress and worry can harm your physical and mental health by increasing the risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and a weakened immune system.

They can also harm relationships, limit personal growth, and prevent you from living your life to the fullest.

You can live a more fulfilling life, increase your resilience, and improve your well-being by letting go of excessive stress and worry. Try the following to reduce stress and worry:

1. Practice deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
2. Exercise on a regular basis and eat a healthy diet.
3. If necessary, seek the help of a therapist or counselor.
4. Make self-care a priority and engage in activities that bring you joy.
5. Maintain good sleep hygiene and try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
6. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
7. Seek help from friends, family, and support groups.
8. Accept uncertainty and concentrate on the present moment.

Here’s a popular anxiety and phobia workbook to help you tackle the fears that hold you back.

12. Clinging to the Past

Holding on to past experiences and negative emotions is one of those things to let go of because that keeps you trapped and prevents you from progressing in life.

Dwelling on the past all the time can limit your ability to experience joy in the present moment.

Holding on to the past can lead to feelings of rage, regret, and bitterness, which can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional health. Let go of stuff that no longer serves a purpose. Here are strategies for dealing with it:

1. Stay mindful and in the present moment.
2. Reflect on and learn from previous experiences.
3. Let go of anger and resentments.
4. Concentrate on the present moment and engage in activities that bring you joy.
5. Seek help from friends, family, or a therapist.
6. Forgive those who have wronged you.
7. Release negativity and foster gratitude.
8. Accept change and remain open to new experiences.
9. Set new goals and work toward them.

You might also like: 10 Life-Changing Self-Love Habits That Transformed My Life

13. Rigid Thinking and Inflexibility

Rigid thinking and inflexibility can limit personal growth and harm relationships by preventing you from being open to new ideas and experiences.

It can also cause stress and frustration, preventing you from adapting to changing circumstances. Giving up rigid thinking and becoming more flexible can lead to more creativity, better relationships, and a more fulfilling life.

It’s important to be patient with yourself. Keep in mind that changing deeply ingrained beliefs and patterns of thought takes time and effort. Try the following to overcome rigid thinking and inflexibility:

1. Accept uncertainty and remain open to new experiences.
2. Seek out new perspectives and question your own assumptions.
3. Develop a growth mindset and enjoy the process of learning and growing.
4. Practice active listening and empathy for others.
5. Concentrate on progress rather than perfection.

14. Procrastination and Inaction

Procrastination and inaction can prevent you from reaching your goals, limit your personal growth, and cause frustration and guilt. It can also have a negative impact on relationships as well as productivity and quality of life.

It’s a bad thing that often keeps us stuck in our comfort zone and prevents us from making the best choice for ourselves.

When we avoid taking action on a daily basis, we miss out on opportunities to grow and learn, and we let our fear of the unknown control us.

Sometimes, even simple things can seem daunting when we’re stuck in the cycle of procrastination, but taking small steps toward our goals can help us break free from this pattern and start making progress in various ways.

So, don’t wait for the next month or the new year. If you want to succeed in the long run, start now! Your hard work will eventually pay off. Try the following to overcome procrastination and inaction:

1. Divide large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
2. Set realistic and attainable goals and prioritize tasks by creating a to-do list.
3. To limit distractions and focus on a task, set a simple timer like this one.
4. Reduce or eliminate distractions and non-essential tasks.
5. Maintain physical and mental well-being by practicing self-care.
6. Celebrate your small victories along the way.
7. If necessary, seek the help of a coach, therapist, or counselor.
8. Practice mindfulness and positive self-talk.
9. Seek accountability and encouragement from a family member, friends, or a support group.

15. Holding Onto Physical Possessions That No Longer Serve a Purpose

Keeping possessions that no longer serve a purpose can result in cluttered and disorganized spaces, as well as increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm.

It can also stifle personal development and impair your ability to create new experiences and memories.

Last year, I realized that it’s one of these things I need to let go of. Giving up physical possessions that no longer serve a purpose can help you live a more organized, stress-free, and happy life.

It’s important to be patient with yourself, to focus on the benefits of decluttering, and to gradually let go of possessions over time. Here’s what you can do to stop holding on to things that you don’t need anymore:

1. Examine your possessions and determine their value.
2. Sort your belongings into categories like “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” or “throw away.”
3. Concentrate on the advantages of decluttering, such as more space, less stress, and better organization.
4. Make it a habit to declutter on a regular basis and to live a minimalist lifestyle.
5. To maximize space and organization, use storage solutions such as shelves, drawers, and plastic containers.
6. If necessary, ask for the help of friends, family, or a professional organizer.
7. Celebrate your accomplishments and the positive changes they bring.
8. Accept the concept of letting go and concentrating on what truly matters.

16. Inadequate Self-Care and Neglecting Physical Health

Neglecting self-care and physical health can lead to many problems, such as low energy, higher stress and anxiety, weaker immune system, and a higher risk of long-term health issues.

It can also cause burnout, lower the quality of your life, and reduce your overall well-being.

Taking time for self-care and focusing on your physical health can improve your energy, lower stress, and boost your mood.

To improve self-care and physical health, try the following:

1. Make self-care activities such as exercise, healthy eating, sleep, and stress management a priority.
2. Make self-care a daily habit and a non-negotiable part of your schedule.
3. Develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise on a regular basis.
4. Get enough rest and sleep, aiming for 7-9 hours per night.
5. Use stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or therapy.
6. If necessary, seek the help of a healthcare professional.
7. Surround yourself with people who are encouraging and supportive.
8. Celebrate small victories and progress in your journey of self-care and physical health.

Here’s a widely recommended self-love workbook to help you release self-doubt and build self-compassion.

You might also like: The Best Self-Care Ideas to Try This Spring

For Me, These Are the Most Important Things to Let Go of in Life

What would you tell someone who asked you, “How to let go of everything?” What are the things that you can do for a happier life? I’d love to hear your thoughts!