Let It Go with Love: A Gentle Practice for Moving On
When something no longer fits, here’s how to honor the parting—and create space for what wants to come next.
What does a 22-year-old houseplant have to teach us about letting go? Turns out: everything. Read on to discover how release—done with love—can change everything.
“Free houseplant. Needs light, love, and a bigger pot.”
That’s what I wrote on a piece of cardboard and attached to a beloved ficus plant we’d had for twenty-two years. Yes, we got her when she was small, the year we moved into our house. And she’d been a beloved member of our family ever since.
The truth is, she needed more light, a bigger pot, and more care than we were able to give her. My hair kept getting snagged in her branches every time I reached around her to open the window shade. She had outgrown our space, and neither my husband nor I could bear the idea of throwing her away.
So we did the best thing we could think of: clean her up, make a big sign, take her out to the curb, snap some photos, and release her with love.
Back in the house, we were pleased to notice that we could still feel her presence. The living room felt completely different in a good way (surprise, surprise). It felt a whole lot more airy, bright, and spacious. And my hair wasn’t getting tangled up anymore.
The best part is that in less than five minutes, when we weren’t looking, someone swooped in and scooped her up.
Who was it? It happened so quickly and stealthily that I wonder if it wasn’t the ficus gods themselves unburdening her once and for all from the humans who’d held on too long.1
…
Happy endings aside, the truth is, letting go of things that we once loved doesn’t bring grand prizes or guarantees of instant gratification.
Letting go can be messy. It can be hard. The rewards can easily be obscured by remorse, second-guessing, unease, or continued pain.
The only thing we do have control over is how we do it: how we honor these things on their way out the door;
how we bring closure.
…
Is there something in your life that you have loved or has served you in some way that you are now ready to release?
It could be anything: a possession, a relationship, a job, a routine, a belief, a chapter in your life…
If so, I have some simple steps you can take (below) for how to let it go with appreciation for what it has given or taught you…
so that you can finally move on
and create space
for what wants to come next.
Ahhh 🪴
…
PS… Ficus update: turns out that it was our neighbor down the street who rescued our sweet ficus. It has sat happily in her living room for the past 10 years. I can see it through the window every time I walk by.
Easing into Surrender
What you just read is from “Bless and Release,” Chapter 33 of my book A Year for You.
It is just a small taste in our ongoing series on cultivating the 5 steps to spaciousness:
slowing down, simplifying, sensing, surrendering, and self-care.
Become a paid subscriber and get full access!
Letting go with love
What is something that you have loved or that has served you that you might be ready to release from your life?
Use these steps to honor the parting—and create space for what wants to come next.