We all have a hard time letting go of the past, especially when it comes to past hurt. We come to identify yourselves with the pain, we incorporate it into our being. We fear that letting go of it will mean not knowing who we are anymore. But if we accept that who we are is something ever changing, then everything becomes easier.
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Here are 7 things you can do right now so that you can let go of past and step into the future:
1. Don’t say “I could never do that”
If you have such self-limiting beliefs, you will not be able to accomplish your goals. Believing in yourself, even when the odds are stacked against you, makes the difference between success and failure.
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2. Don’t try to control the actions of others
They are the only ones capable of deciding if they need to change their behavior. And certainly they are the ones who can act according to their decision. So don’t waste your time by trying to change them against their will.
3. The only thing that truly matters is how you see yourself
Of course, the feedback of others is important, since you don’t always realize your own destructive behaviors. But this is a long way from being obsessed by what others think of you. You cannot please everybody and you shouldn’t try.
4. Accept the fact that you are going to make mistakes and that’s OK
Mistakes are a source of knowledge. Worrying too much about a mistake you’ve made means that you’re taking yourself too seriously. Laugh at yourself and relax!
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5. Don’t let fear hold you back
When we fear doing that special something that would make us happy, all we can see before us is failure. From all the possible outcomes we can only imagine the disastrous one. We become prisoners of our own mind.
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6. Learn how to communicate effectively
Keeping emotions bottled up never works. They tend to surface at the worst times. So you’d better learn to communicate them in a rational manner. This will considerably improve your relationships.
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7. Learn how to forgive
The most effective way to leave your past behind is to forgive. Otherwise, anger will burden you. Think about forgiveness as a gift that you give not only to the other, but also to yourself.
Don’t forget that you are free to become who you want to be. You are not your past more than a butterfly is a caterpillar. Please, share this!
