Letting go is the hardest thing to do. We clutter our mind with negative emotions, habits and thoughts that hold us back from being happy. It’s time to stop making your life complicated and start loving yourself. Here are five things to let go of that will help you unburden your mind.

1. NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE

Feeling distressed and unhappy about your appearance, weight and shape? The stereotypes of a ‘perfect body’ that are reinforced by celebrities and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can make you feel insecure about your own body. Yoga and meditation really help in reinforcing positive affirmations in your mind.

2. APPROVAL OF OTHERS

Trying to please everyone is exhausting. No matter how hard you try, there will always be some who will root for your failure and unhappiness. It doesn’t matter what people think or say about you when you are too busy being happy and chasing your dreams.

3. TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS

We all want to feel loved and wanted. And that’s why many times we fail to see the red flags in a relationship. Just like a flower bed though, we need to weed out people who don’t add value and positivity in our life in order to bloom. Ask yourself if your partner, friend or a relative is pulling you down emotionally and whether all interactions with them always seem to take a dramatic turn. Letting go of a toxic person who is close to you may seem hard now, but soon you will feel lighter once you rid yourself of their negativity.

4. SELF DOUBTING YOUR ABILITIES

Everything you’ve ever wanted in your career is one step outside your comfort zone. The higher your risks, the more likely you are to grow and land new opportunities. Never underestimate your value and always think of yourself deserving of that promotion and salary hike.

5. THE IDEA OF A PERFECT PARTNER

No one is perfect, yet in our minds, we place high standards for how our partner should be. Ask any friend who is in a long-term, happy union how they knew they had found the right one. Chances are they will not be able to articulate their reason and would say that they just ‘clicked’ or it ‘felt right’. Some decisions are best made at the emotional level and not the rational level. If you go searching for love with a list of demands, you would be unsuccessful. Learn to surrender and let it come to you, instead.