“Some of us think  
holding on makes  
us stronger, but  
sometimes it is  
letting go.”   
Hermann Hesse

On the surface, letting go of things that weigh us down might be perceived as a sign of weakness. In reality, it’s just the opposite. Letting go of what we cannot control is actually an act of courage and self-compassion. When we are strong enough to release the burdens that suck all the energy out of us, we create space — mental, physical, and emotional space — which allows us to reduce our stress level and to restore our energy.

At the Al-Anon men’s group meeting I attended last Thursday evening, one of those in attendance shared an insightful phrase: “Drop the rock.” It took a while for me to understand exactly what he meant by those words, but by the end of the meeting, it was fairly clear. 

When we drop the rock, we allow ourselves to reclaim the energy we need to live our own lives. This enables us to be more creative and to stay focused on our priorities. When we let go of the burden, we don’t forget about what is happening. Instead, we change our relationship to the situation, accepting the reality as it is, rather than trying to control or resist it.

There are several ways we can go about doing this. It’s always best to begin with small steps. It’s not necessary to release everything at once. It might be more manageable to begin by letting go of some of the smaller burdens associated with the situation. Doing so might take some time, and that’s okay.

Practicing self-care is also an essential component of the process of letting go. Nurture your well-being by taking time to do things that nourish your soul — walking, reading, hiking, writing, exercising, listening to music,… These activities can help to release some of the emotional weight of the situation.

It’s important to stay focused on the present moment, to shift your attention away from both the mistakes of the past and the worries about the future. Staying in the present moment is not always easy, but it’s a challenge worthy of our effort and attention.

Finally, it’s important to seek support when you need it. Reaching out to friends, family members, mental health professionals, and organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon can be beneficial in your effort to navigate the emotional process of letting go.

When it comes right down to it, letting go, or “dropping the rock,” can be understood as an act of faith, one which has the potential to allow us to live a more authentic and joy-filled life.