Imagine your own outstretched hand, with nothing in it. Now imagine that your fingers are limp with the relief of letting go of a heavy weight you’d been struggling to carry. The idea of letting go might initially strike you as a gentle act — a simple release. But there is absolutely nothing gentle or passive about letting go. Especially if what you’re letting go of what helped you feel safe or protected in the past. Actually, letting go can feel more like an act of tremendous violence — like a painful ripping away of something precious. To some, it even feels like a kind of death, signifying loss. As far as proving your worth to other people is concerned, letting go has a powerful purpose. It frees you from a major burden that’s been standing between you and the love you’re truly worth. Bear in mind, though, that in the buildup to letting go, you might feel anything butpeaceful, happy, or free. More like… intensely lost. Intensely needy. Even, intensely alone. As a result of these painful feelings, you might find yourself reaching frantically for anything that could reassure you of your worth in the world. Kind of like a kid who clings to his parent’s leg on the first day of kindergarten. That’s okay. Let yourself grope around in the dark for awhile, stumbling awkwardly. You may bump into people, places, and things without meaning to. You may shout, cry, or rage at the slightest trigger. You may want to scrub or vacuum every room in the house, to keep yourself distracted. Or you may not feel like doing much at all, besides staring vacantly into space. But these strange and painful feelings will ease up — as long as you continue letting go. That means not retreating back to the hopeless habits, attitudes, behaviors or circumstances that have blocked you from experiencing your worth for yourself. Instead, give yourself a big, bear hug — or find someone you love who will. Or, just take one of your hands in the other, and keep it there. Even if you don’t feel its warmth right away, you will — as long as you stay connected to yourself. ❤️‍🔥—Y.B.D.