There are many people who suffer because they can’t—or won’t—¬let go of their past. They suffer in different ways, and we call these suffering many different names¬—depression, PTSD, trauma, heartaches, regrets, failures. Why do we allow ourselves to suffer?
Needless to say, mental disorders, like depression and anxiety, are beyond our control. The mind, after all, is a tricky mechanism. But if we are hounded by a painful past, which triggers our depression and anxiety, there are things we can do to recover from such a past. That is, if we want to recover.
It may be surprising to some, but there are those who wallow in their hurt. There are those who are not willing to let go. Perhaps because we love and care too much or because we invested too much of ourselves that we find it difficult to let the past stay in the past. Perhaps it is because we let what once was define who we are. We let memories linger and gnaw at us.
A failed relationship, for example, is oftentimes a source of depression. When you love so deeply, it takes time to heal from the pain, but once you make the conscious decision to move on and put in mindful actions to bounce back, healing will be faster and will be more complete. Of course, there is no complete healing if, every now and then, you revisit the past, perhaps by putting blame or by entertaining what-ifs. No, that is not the way to heal. Neither is denial nor anger. What healing requires is honesty and humility so that forgiveness is possible.
There is beauty in letting go. It allows you to look back and appreciate the good memories and learn from the bad ones. It lets you appreciate how far you’ve come along and gives you the strength to face the future.
There is no doctor who can completely heal you from the stings of the past. It is all up to you, your mind, and your heart. Read a poem and listen to good advice or write a poem and empty out yourself so tomorrow you start anew.
