What to leave behind

It's time to let go

I left my 9-5 a week ago.

As you can expect, my head has been a very busy place since -
Trying to settle into this new phase of my life,
Adjusting my expectations,
Creating new routines,
Resting.

It’s been a lot
And I didn’t feel like I was doing any of this very well.

(Especially the resting bit.)

So I took a trip home to visit my parents.

I’m grateful to have a beautiful relationship with my parents
And to know, no matter what happens, I can always go home

Even though I moved out when I was 18.

I busied myself helping rearrange furniture and move boxes
As my folks decided it was time to use their space differently.

In the process, I opened a dresser drawer and found some treasures:

A yellow kangaroo toy and a corncob doll that I found in a drawer at my parents’ house, relics from my childhood that I don’t remember.

This creepy looking corncob doll and a yellow kangaroo.

My mother said, “Oh! These are yours. I’ve been saving them for you.”

Ummm…thanks, Mom?
For saving things I don’t remember were mine?

She went on to tell me where each had come from -
The old lady who made the doll I don’t think I ever played with

And the old neighbor who brought back the kangaroo
(Which is missing its joey)
That I thought belonged to my brother.

These treasures have sparked a lot of thought
About what we choose to keep.
And why.

About letting go.
And what keeps us from doing it.

The things that once brought us joy.
That someone gave us.
That we used to love.
That we inherited.

The routines and thoughts that once served us
That we hang onto simply because they’re ours.

How much space do we devote in our homes,
Our heads, our hearts,
Our lives
For things that we no longer need or want?

How tightly do we cling to what we know
Simply because we know it?

Letting go is hard.

I’m learning it requires intention.
And attention -

Taking a look at what’s in our lives,
Determining whether or not it’s serving us,
Considering how we can let it go.

Maybe it’s getting rid of the supplies for that project
I’m never going to end up making.

Or letting go of that limiting belief
That’s just getting in my way.

Or loosening my grip on the routine that once worked so beautifully
But now prevents me from moving my life forward.

Making space to listen to what I really want, really need.
Creating room to invite in what does work for me.
Seeking and embracing joy.

Fortunately, this time of year reminds us that it’s okay to let go.
That even in the midst of change, there’s much joy for us to find.

There’s never been a better time than now
To take a look at what you’re carrying,
What you’re keeping.

To consider how you’re using your space,
Your time, your energy,

And whether it’s creating the life you truly want.

I know it can be hard and scary
And I’m in this with you.

Let’s do this together.
💛

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If you’re curious about exploring what you’ve kept and how it’s working for you, consider joining our Journaling for Growth Community in December.

We’re focusing on our annual year-end reflection so we can be intentional about the way we move into the new year.

You’ll get access to both my proven end of year reflection process and our weekly magical group journaling sessions so you can:

• Celebrate your wins and progress, big and small

• Recognize patterns and lessons from the past year

• Release unhelpful stories and expectations

• Reconnect with your strengths and values

• Feel renewed and ready to move forward with intention

Learn more and register here.

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This Week’s Journal Prompts:

Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!

• Did what worked for you in 2023 still work this year?

• Is how you’ve done things this year going to create the life you long for in 2025?

• What do you want to invite into your life?

• What do you need to let go of so you have space for what you want?

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Happy Journaling!