We all want the best things in life. We set expectations and goals that mirror our ideal world. But things don’t always go exactly as planned. While we maintain the vision of a perfect world in our heads, the actual world we’re living in is nothing close to ideal.
Many of us find it easy to embrace the fact that we’re not always in control of everything. Others, however, take a long time to process a situation or event that’s beyond their control. They dabble in “what ifs” and blame themselves or others for failing to stop such events as losing a loved one to cancer, getting divorced, or being laid off.
While these events are outside our control, it doesn’t mean we can’t recover from them. Letting go is a difficult process, but it helps you find clarity and allows you to find inner peace. Even if things don’t fall into place as you hoped, you can still find the courage to move on and see what good things will come your way.
Instead of trying to control a difficult circumstance, learn the value of letting go. Here are a few tips to help you through the process.
1. Take your time
It’s easy for anyone to tell you to pick up the pieces and move on, but the process itself can be grueling. If you are emotionally invested in something, then a quick recovery isn’t guaranteed. Grieving and feeling bad about yourself is a natural response to a situation that’s beyond your control. You need to go through it before you finally reach the process of letting go. Bottling up your emotions or attempting to make the situation better will not only delay acceptance but also lead to complications.
2. Reclaim your mind
To keep yourself from thinking too much about a difficult situation, you will need to keep your mind preoccupied with something else. Distracting yourself from the events you can’t control will help you forget about the situation itself and find time to heal. For that, consider adopting a new hobby or focusing on the things you can control. You can spend time with friends and family and make every effort to nurture the valuable relationships you share with them.
3. Keep yourself fit physically
Physical fitness has a significant impact on your emotional recovery. Working out or going on an early morning jog can help you take your mind off things and, more importantly, improve your mood. That’s because exercise produces endorphins which are hormones that activate your pleasure centers. You become less anxious and feel more motivated to try out new things.
4. Talk to a professional
Still, not everyone can find the compunction to let go. There are cases when constant overthinking and trauma become too much that the individual falls into a depressive state. If this ever happens to you or to anyone, consider reaching out to a psychiatric professional that specializes in diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders.
While you can’t control the uncontrollable, you can at least control how you rise above the situation and find a semblance of hope for the future.
Let us be your partner towards greater mental clarity. Reach out to us at MidCities Psychiatry and attain peace of mind.