This reminds me of a moment I had in therapy that really shifted my perspective on letting go of the past. You know, it’s funny how we cling to certain memories or experiences—sometimes, they can feel like they’re part of our very identity. I remember sitting in front of my therapist, feeling weighed down by a mix of regret and anger. It was like I was carrying this heavy backpack filled with rocks, each one representing a painful memory.
During one session, my therapist suggested something that sounded simple at first: what if I imagined those memories as leaves floating down a river? It struck me as a bit cliché at first, but I figured, why not give it a shot? As I closed my eyes and visualized those leaves drifting away, I started to feel lighter. It was as if I was allowing myself to acknowledge those moments without letting them define who I am today.
I think one of the biggest breakthroughs for me was realizing that letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It’s about accepting those parts of my past and understanding how they’ve shaped me. There’s this notion that we have to be strong and carry everything ourselves, but sometimes, it’s okay to set that burden down.
I’m curious—have any of you had similar experiences in therapy? How do you approach letting go of things that still weigh on you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s always interesting to see how different strategies resonate with us.