You’re already on the path to creating more calm in your life. You’VE BEEN doing the work, digging deep and discovering What’s holding you back. Now Here’s five more ways to let go, release what is no longer serving you, and live your life with a lot more freedom.
By letting go of those old expectations, self-criticism, and comparisons, you’ve created room for a lighter, more balanced you. Hooray! But there’s more to release if you want to deepen your sense of ease and make space for joy to show up more often. In part 1 of this series, I discussed how letting go of these 5 things will support you to take a conscious step (or leap!) in the direction you want to go. Here are five more things to let go of right now, so you can keep making progress towards that calmer life you’re craving.
#1. BEING “BUSY”
It’s become commonplace to glorify being busy. But let’s face it—being perpetually busy doesn’t always equate to being productive, fulfilled, or at peace. We all have stretches where life is full and time flies by. Yet Sometimes, busyness is a distraction that keeps us from facing what really matters. What if you could let go of the need to fill every minute of your day? What if you could embrace stillness and give yourself permission to just be? When you drop the badge of busyness, you reclaim time and energy for what truly lights you up. Slow down, and notice how your perspective shifts. After all, some of life’s most beautiful moments happen when you’re unhurried.
#2. CRAVING CONTROL
Oh, the sweet, sweet illusion of control! Let’s be real, life rarely plays by the rules we set, yet we try to micro-manage every detail, from the tiniest to the most life-changing. When you let go of the need to control outcomes, you open up to the possibilities that arise when you allow life to unfold naturally. By relinquishing control, you’ll find a kind of freedom that makes space for serendipity and a deeper sense of trust in yourself. So, the next time you’re tempted to micromanage every moment, pause and ask yourself, “What might happen if I just let go?”. Let life flow. You might be surprised by how liberating it feels.
“Slow down, and notice how your perspective shifts. Some of life’s most beautiful moments happen when you’re unhurried”.
- Annika Rose
#3. Perfectionism
Trying to make everything “exactly right” can be utterly exhausting. Perfectionism tells you that nothing is ever good enough, making it hard to start new things, let alone finish them. It can paralyse progress and drain joy from the things you once loved to do. And at the end of the day, there’s no such thing as perfect - so what is it you’re really trying to achieve or prove, and to whom? Letting go of perfectionism means embracing the perfectly imperfect you, allowing yourself to be human with all your quirks and unique qualities. When you do, you’ll realize that sometimes “good enough” is exactly what you need. Ask yourself: what could you achieve if the bar wasn’t set impossibly high and you weren’t waiting for everything to be flawless?
#4. PEOPLE-PLEASING
If you’re used to being the peacekeeper or the go-to person, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly prioritising others’ needs over your own. But bending over backward to keep everyone else happy at all costs can come at the expense of your own wellbeing. Letting go of people-pleasing doesn’t mean becoming unkind; it means recognising that your own needs matter, too. When you stop chasing others’ approval, you create more space for self-acceptance. Try saying “no” when you need to, and notice how good it feels to honor your boundaries. You’ll find more balance, and those who truly care will respect you for it.
#5. FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
The unknown can be daunting, can’t it? It’s that space where everything feels uncertain, where you can’t quite see what’s coming next or lies ahead. But here’s the thing: growth often happens when you step into that uncertainty. Holding onto the familiar, even when it no longer serves you, can keep you from discovering new possibilities. Letting go of the fear of the unknown is about embracing change and considering it as a chance to learn and grow. What if the unknown held the very thing you’ve been looking for? What if, instead of fearing it, you met it with curiosity and an open heart? Letting go of this fear can be like opening a door to a whole new chapter in your life.
By letting go of these five things, you give yourself the chance to invite even more calm, joy, and clarity into your life. Remember, letting go is not about abandoning who you are but rather about making space for the person you’re becoming. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, and trust that every little bit you release is paving the way for something even better to emerge. Here’s to creating more calm, one mindful step at a time.
Letting go is liberating. I’m curious to know, what will you choose to let go of first?
Leave me a comment below to let me know which step you’ll start with.
CONSCIOUSLY LETTING GO
In my new book, Mindfulness: finding peace in the everyday, I share how to develop your skills so you can live life more consciously and create the calm you’re craving. By learning how to connect more deeply with your inner world, you’ll wake up to what’s possible and the precious moments that may have been passing you by. You’ll discover what matters most and can choose what to let go of. In the book I’ve included step-by-step instructions on how to get started with a simple mindfulness practice and there’s meditations and breathing exercises for absolute beginners too. It’s easy to read and packed with tips and tools to make every day calmer and happier. The book is available to buy worldwide, now. Are you ready to #discovermindfulness with Annika Rose?
