This Is What’s Holding You Back
(Hint: It’s You)
“Sometimes we have to soak ourselves in the tears and fears of the past to water our future gardens.” ― Suzy Kassem
Just for today…
Consider there might be some lingering negativity from your past that continues to pop up in your present.
Rather than push that negativity away, really own it.
This takes some awareness, so the first step is to identify the negativity.
- Maybe it comes out in how you’re speaking to someone
- Maybe you’re feeling annoyed or frustrated
- Maybe you’re just pissed off or irritable
In that moment, pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself if this could be coming from the past.
Even if it’s something that someone said or did recently, consider that it might upset you so much because of an unresolved issue from the past.
Allow that negativity and all of the emotions that come with it to build up inside you as much as possible. Whatever you’re feeling, double it.
Get immersed in it.
Then get out a piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind, without judgment.
Don’t worry about grammar or sentence structure, or even if you misspell words — just keep writing.
Fill out the entire front of the page.
When you fill up the page, turn it over and start writing on the other side.
Warning: You might feel like you’ve already written on the front page all that you have inside of you to write.
You haven’t.
Keep writing.
When you have finished, read what you wrote.
Keep reading it over and over again until you realize:
- There’s someone you need to forgive (because it’s holding you back)
- There’s a story you keep telling yourself and you need to let it go (because it’s holding you back)
- There’s an opinion you have and you need to see the others’ point of view (because it’s holding you back)
- Notice I said “see” the others’ point of view, not “accept” the others’ point of view (although maybe you will)
- You’re not open to a resolution and you need to open up to the possibility (because it’s holding you back)
Why should you do this?
Because this writing (and letting go) is nourishing the soil of your future garden and there’s no room for negativity (because your flowers won’t bloom).
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