Growth isn’t just about moving forward, it’s about looking back and letting go of things and habits that weighs you down.

Navigating through every mistake I made and lessons I’ve learned, letting go seems the best gift I can give myself before the year ends.

As the year wraps up, it brings my awareness to letting go of procrastination, the past that hurts, emotionally draining relationships, old possessions, fear of failure, timidity and inferiority complex.

Procrastination

Letting go of procrastination before the year ends comes up as the number one thing for me. This year, I notice how it holds me back from moving from where I am, to where I ought to be. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the thought of taking action. Overcoming hesitation is essential for making progress toward living the life I dream of. Most of the time, it doesn’t even feel like procrastination, it feels like laziness. But when I reflect on wasted time, I realize, ‘Oh, I could have…’ and that awareness pushes me to act differently.  I’m choosing to take small intentional steps forward.

The Past that Hurts

Times and seasons come and go, but their events are held in our memories. Letting go of the past, especially the painful parts, before the year ends is important for many of us. I have experiences from my past that keep the joy of the moment just out of reach. I’m breaking free from their grip and healing from the pain they left behind. I’m also releasing myself from every emotion tied to the regrets of the past. As I stare at those memories, I see them as gone. I’m no longer giving them the power to interfere in my life except for the lessons they offer.”

Emotionally Draining Relationships

I almost tagged this, toxic relationships, but let me spare the harsh word. What’s the point, really, in having a relationship which causes you sadness when you just think about it? No happy communication. The struggle, just to get the other party to say hi to your hello. What’s the point in keeping a relationship where it seems like you’re merely a furniture and nothing more, like, what can you even do?

Building and maintaining relationships feels like a big deal for many of us. However, I’ve realized it flows best when all parties value themselves. Growing up, I often tried so hard to keep connections alive, making the calls, doing the visitations, but it wasn’t reciprocated. The effort was breaking me. Meanwhile, you know your potential, your abilities, and what you can do with them. But the other person in this relationship, clearly doesn’t see anything, even with double-lens glasses. What are we even saying? Most times, they see, they know, but refuse to acknowledge it.

Before the year ends, I’m letting go of any parasitic relationship. Can I just borrow that word?

Relationships should help you grow, bring out the best in you, give you a chance to touch someone’s life positively and vice versa. They should give you joy. Any relationship that offers the opposite… why hold on to that? Letting go of emotionally draining relationships before the year ends feels freeing. It allows me to breathe, enjoy inner peace, and set safe boundaries. I like to think of it as ‘decluttering’ my space for those who truly want me for me.’ This isn’t limited to romantic relationships, it extends to family, friends, and anyone who takes more than they give.

Old Possessions

Fear of Failure

A friend of mine once got a job offer in the North. Quite very far from where she lived, far from the comfort of family and familiar faces. Instead of positive vibes, all she could talk about was the insecurity she might face, how she would be alone with no family nearby, how she would cope, this and that. The negativity, the pessimism, became a screen so thick that she couldn’t see the goodness beyond the offer. That experience made me realize something: sometimes, we clothe our pessimism in a garment called “planning” or “strategizing.” Don’t get me wrong, planning is necessary. You don’t just jump on the next train without checking the cost, the requirements, or the destination. You could get stranded.

However, there are times when all we focus on is the bad side, what could go wrong, what problems may arise. Funny enough, if you look closely, you may also find that within the same opportunity are solutions and safeguards against those very problems.
But fear blinds us. All our “what ifs” are negative. We fail to ask the positive “what ifs.” What if it works? What if it opens doors? What if it stretches you into someone stronger?
So you stay stuck, not because there is no plan, but because you are too scared to take the initiative.

I think it’s time to let go of pessimism and the fear of failure. Start that business you’ve been thinking about, yea, with a good plan. Explore. Do that thing you know could catapult you to a higher place, but which scares you. See that fear? You already know this thing could take you somewhere people want to be. You know it… but you’re scared.

What if I fall? Meanwhile, you haven’t even moved. Lol. What if you are that one person who doesn’t make a mistake at all? You get so lucky it almost feels like magic. And even if it doesn’t work out, you go back to the drawing board and figure out what went wrong.
Who says you’ll never get there? 😉

Timidity & Inferiority Complex (silent comparison)

This particular topic often limits one’s ability more than they realize. I could remember one certain time when I was in the drama team at church. One Sunday morning, we were preparing to present a drama during service. A neighbor of mine passed by and noticed I was among the drama team. She laughed and was like, “Look who wants to act drama. Are you sure you can?”

I only smiled. Of course, she knew me as a very shy quiet person who could barely speak outside. After the drama that day, she was not the only shocked person. Lol. 
Letting go of timidity, to allow that boldness and confidence take over, is one thing we have to let go before the year ends. It doesn’t really pay to start comparing your abilities with another. Inferiority complex makes you feel like you’re less than others. I know there are things some people may be able to do better than me, but there are also things I can do that those people can’t. So why not focus on your strengths and be proud of it, than looking at others and what they are presenting to the world?


Letting go can be freeing, what’s one thing you are choosing to release before the year ends? Leave your comments below and inspire others on their journey.