The start of a new year is always an interesting time. Many people make resolutions; determined to do better than years past. Usually this means doing more. More exercise, more sleep, more socialising, more travel, more reading, more food awareness.
Something I think which should also be considered is doing less. If we didn't fit all those extra 'more' items last year, why do we think we could shoehorn it into this year with any greater success? Willpower alone does not give us a time machine. (More's the pity!)
Doing less is incredibly freeing. It means going through the commitments, responsibilities and expectations you have in your life and giving them a spring cleaning. Hold them up to your sense of self, to your purpose, and see if they still fit. If not, out they go!
This isn't easy. Many of our goals have been with us for a long time. Like old jumpers with the hole in the elbow and the frayed cuff, they are comfortable and cosy. Parting with them feels disloyal somehow, even if they haven't been used in ever so long.
Which brings us to the distinction between 'giving up' and 'letting go'. The result is seemingly the same, but oh there is such a world of distance between them mentally.
Giving up is a narrowing of world view; a shrinking, a bitter and reluctant rejection of a goal. It implies failure and regret and wasted effort.
Letting go is an expansion of world view. It allows you to release the goal with a tender parting. It is an acceptance that this thing is not suitable right now. It provides acceptance and appreciation for the effort applied so far. And, most importantly, it allows for the possibility for the goal to be picked up again later on.
What will you let go for this year? What jumpers no longer fit who you want to be? What will you release to make more time for your existing passions?
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