What will happen to me if I let go?
This is one of those hidden, irrational fears that keep many of us stuck in patterns (relationships, homes, jobs, habits…) that no longer serve us.
Depending on how long we’ve held on for dear life to these patterns (aka clutter), letting them go can feel like a roller coaster ride, or worse, like diving out of a plane – without a parachute – naked.
How will I know that there will be something else, something better, to catch me when I leap off the ledge?
You can’t know for sure what will happen, of course. That’s why it’s called a leap of faith.
What I can say is this: the more you practice letting go in small ways, the more empowered and trusting you will feel to address the bigger things. Clearing a pile off a chronically messy desk, sorting the daily mail, or just turning off the lights you’re not using, may not feel like much on paper. When you repeat these tasks – every day, with compassionate awareness, however, you not only bypass the fight-or-flight stress response and soften resistance, you also begin to create a new habit. Over time these baby habits can lead to changes beyond your wildest imaginings.
Growing new habits takes time and patience.
Here’s another perspective from thoughtleader, Seth Godin:
“To overcome an irrational fear…
replace it with a habit.
If you’re afraid to write, write a little, every day. Start with an anonymous blog, start with a sentence. Every day, drip, drip, drip, a habit.
If you’re afraid to speak up, speak up a little, every day. Not to the board of directors, but to someone. A little bit, every day.
Habits are more powerful than fears.”
–From “To Overcome an irrational fear…” by Seth Godin, Seth Godin’s Blog, April 26, 2015
What is one small thing you can clear for one minute today? My invitation: do it, and keep doing it until the task becomes easy and effortless.
And, it might even feel good. Just sayin’. 😉
