Sometimes, our past is more present than we realize — and that’s one of the reasons we find ourselves stuck in the same place. The truth is, anything from our past that we haven’t let go of still interferes with our present and prevents us from moving forward. That’s why, in order to reach our dreams and create the future we long for, we must first remove our past from our present.

 

How many things from your past are still living in your present? And I don’t just mean material things — I mean memories, thoughts, feelings, people, and experiences. What place does your past occupy in your present? Does it take up a huge part of your life or just a small corner? How much of it is still alive in your heart?

Take a moment to reflect. Step away from your daily pressures and obligations. Breathe. When you’re ready, look around you — and look within you:

• Can you see your past dominating your present?
• Are your past emotions and memories blocking your path forward?
• Are they stopping you from reaching your goals and desires?
• Are your past experiences making decisions on your behalf?

“Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.” – Daphne Rose Kingma

If your answer is no, well done! You’ve done an amazing job freeing yourself from your past and are truly living in the now. But if your answer is yes:

• Is your past serving you in your present?
• Is it bringing the results you’ve been looking for?
• Is it useful, supportive, helpful, or is it simply standing in the way of what you truly want?

The past doesn’t always have to be a disadvantage, as long as its presence in our lives strengthens us. Whether it was good or painful, the past holds lessons we can learn from. That wisdom belongs in our present, along with the memories that lift our hearts and brighten our days. Everything else can be released.

“The mental and physical space we create by letting go of things that belong in our past gives us the option to fill the space with something new.” – Susan Fay West

Anything from the past that no longer serves you — bad memories, difficult relationships, unresolved emotions, even old material things — if they don’t help you grow, they don’t belong in your present.

If your heart, mind, or environment is full of things that don’t make you better, don’t bring you happiness, or don’t support the person you want to become, why keep them? Why keep them alive when they suffocate your present and destroy your future? It’s like walking through life with a heavy chain around your neck — and that chain is your past. But you have the key. So why not use it?

“You’ve got to make a conscious choice every day to shed the old – whatever ‘the old’ means for you.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach 

Today is the perfect day to clean your heart, your mind, and your life. Remove everything from your past that no longer serves you — the memories, the people, the feelings, even the experiences that once felt good but are no longer aligned with your present or future. Whether they were painful or beautiful, the past is past, and it’s time to let it go — to create space for the amazing things waiting for you.

So…

What’s the first thing you’re ready to release?

What memory, feeling, or experience no longer has a place in your life?

Start with that.

And without overthinking it… just let it go.

It’s time to grab a bag, fill it with everything that doesn’t serve you anymore, and toss it out. Because the best is yet to come!