Letting go of the past is like finally cleaning the fridge: there's some stuff in there you forgot even existed The Reservoir of Yuck: Why Chugging Meditation Won't Fix You (and How to Actually Let Go) Alright folks, let's talk about this whole "inner work" thing, especially letting go. There's a ton of confusion out there. You hear "letting go" and if you're new to this, you might think, "Oh, just get rid of it!" But hold on to your metaphorical horses. Letting go isn't about shoving your feelings in a mental sock drawer. It's more like...unzipping that drawer, taking a deep breath, and maybe giving those feelings a hug (or a firm handshake, depending on the feeling). Here's the problem: We often think letting go is quick and easy. Like, "Five letting go meditations a day, boom, enlightened!" Wrong! It's not about quantity, it's about quality. Doing a meditation while secretly planning your grocery list isn't exactly diving deep. Think of it like this: You have a big ol' reservoir inside you, filled with all the anger, fear, sadness, you name it, that you've been stuffing down for years. When something triggers you, it's like a tiny drop landing in the reservoir. You might feel the urge to yell at the guy who cut you off in traffic (that guy!), but that's just processing the drop. The real work is draining the whole reservoir. And that's where things get interesting. Forget the meditation marathons, let's talk strategy! Mission: Identify Your Reservoir Monsters Imagine your reservoir is full of different "files" – specific situations that trigger you. Easy solution, right? Do a meditation for each one! But there's a shortcut: follow the trail of "Why?". For example, you're scared of public speaking because you think people will judge you. Why is being judged scary? Because then they might reject you. Why is rejection scary? Because then you'll be alone. See how we went deeper? By tackling the root cause (fear of being alone), you're draining a whole bunch of files at once! Mission: Don't Just Breathe, Feel! Another misconception: breathing exercises are the holy grail of letting go. Sure, they can help, but it's like trying to empty the reservoir with a teaspoon. We need a power tool! Think of all those emotions as trapped energy. Breathing can help you acknowledge them, but true letting go involves feeling them, accepting them, and then…letting them go. That's where quality meditations come in. They guide you to explore those feelings, not just suppress them. Bonus Mission: Shake It Off (Like Taylor Swift) Remember that deer playing dead? We humans tend to do the same with emotional trauma. We dissociate, shut down, and never really deal with it. That's why it's crucial to learn how to "shake it off" after a triggering experience. This could be a specific meditation, journaling, or even (gasp!) just allowing yourself to feel the emotions and then move on. The bottom line: Letting go is a journey, not a destination. It's messy, it's emotional, and it might involve facing some Reservoir Monsters you'd rather avoid. But trust me, the freedom on the other side is worth it. So, ditch the meditation marathons, grab a metaphorical sponge, and let's drain that reservoir together!
NEAL LLOYD
