​​​​​I struggle with the idea of letting go. It’s a tough one for me.

I realize this may not be the most popular of opinions but, the idea of being able to let go of something that has impacted you significantly feels like a bit of a stretch to me. Because the truth is, when you’ve walked through a hard season… you’ve been shaped by that experience. It doesn’t mean that you should choose to become bitter or hard. But it does mean that you’re forever changed by that experience.

This idea of “letting go” feels like too much of an oversimplification to me… a flyover without any offer of aid. And yet, in life and in love, you also can’t continue to carry every burden you’ve ever walked through as you’ll be crushed under the sheer weight of it all.

So where’s the happy medium?

Well, the thing I try, when I’m working to wrap my head around the idea of letting go, is instead shifting to “laying down”. Laying down the wounds that are too heavy for me to carry anymore. Laying down the hurt that I can’t seem to make sense of. Laying down the problems that I just can’t solve on my own. Laying down the things that are simply weighing me down and preventing me from healing… from forgiving… from moving forward.

Laying down doesn’t mean that I can’t pick them back up to work through or process further.

And laying down doesn’t mean those experiences didn’t happen or that they didn’t impact you… because man let me tell you…. Honestly, I work to lay things down because carrying them prevents me from taking in all the joy and love that is also around for me to soak in.

So I ask you… what do you need to lay down in order to feel lighter in love?

​It’s a hard question, but it’s a good one. I hope you remember that the heavy you’re walking through right now is not permanent and you have the choice of how to carry that pain. I also realize this may seem very far off from what you’re managing right now… so simply remember that you’re doing the best that you can.

I believe in you.

-A

P.S. If laying anything down right now seems downright unrealistic and unreasonable… I get it… and I also don’t want you to continue to suffer alone. Reach out…. let’s see what healing we can create together.