Letting Go of Ideals (Laurie Faria Stolarz)

The topic for this month is “letting go.” Throughout life, we form ideals for ourselves – ideas about who we should be, how our lives should look, what success looks like, and how happiness should feel. These ideals often shape our decisions, guide our paths, and, at times trap us in a box, as they can prevent us from living freely, authentically, and joyfully in the moment. 

During the holiday season, for example (since here we are*), many of us have preconceived ideas about how we should be spending our time. Images of friends and loved ones – gathered around a table set for twelve, kissing at the stroke of midnight, and/or opening presents by a tree – come to mind for so many. 

But, what if "ideals" such as these rob us of joy? 

 

Ideals – whether about the holiday season, or how our careers should look, or how our relationships need to be – can be limiting, making us believe there’s only one "right" way to live, to love, to succeed… They’re also often based on outside influences rather than on what we really need in a given moment. (The Hallmark Channel is fun to watch, but it's also full of fiction. I know that's obvious, but in case you needed to hear it, there it is.)

 

I think it’s important to acknowledge that ideals are just ideas, and that we have the freedom to let go of any that don’t serve us, making space for what truly matters:  peace, joy, and the freedom to simply be.

 

* Wishing a very merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and a happy and healthy new year!