Spring activates an energy of release, the need to let go, tidy up, and plan. It is the start of the astrological new year. We reached the vernal equinox, and the days have become equal parts light and dark and will only get lighter still—no more nightfall at 4:00 p.m. in the Northern Hemisphere.
Spring is an opening, a fresh bloom, a bird song. But first, the ground must thaw, rain must fall and we can use this time in early spring to release and prepare for our own renewal.
My nature is to be gentle and say that release is a process and to let it take the time it takes.
Recently, it occurred to me that sometimes release isn’t a process for me so much as a decision. Am I doing myself a disservice by assuming that it must always be an ordeal?
It is possible to learn something new, reveal something about ourselves or our lives, and feel the shift—instant and immediate.
Sometimes, the truth can be like a cold shock, and once we have it, we are no longer invested in that storyline, idea, or way of relating.
I’ve decided that I will let it be that way for me. I will not question myself. I can simply choose to put down something that causes me pain or aggravation.
So, here are five things you might choose to let go of through ritual, process, or an immediate light-bulb moment or clarity.
1. Comparison, aka thief of joy
We are social creatures for whom comparison comes easily. With social media, we can be instantly inundated with hundreds of options for comparison with not only peers but celebrities or influencers.
Worse, we often compare our struggles and low points to someone else's best qualities or highlight reels. You are you for a reason, a beautiful and unique soul with a divine purpose. Remember that our minds are often drawn toward comparison when anticipating growth because our minds resist change and crave safety and reliability. Put the focus back on your unique struggles, wisdom, and grace.
Affirmation: I surrender to the flow of my life. I trust I am right where I need to be in this moment.
2. Spiritual FOMO
Wow, do I love to find coaches, teachers, and gurus on the internet that promise to fix all my problems if I part with a chunk of cash. I fantasize about joining classes, retreats, or programs that list out my pain points and dissolve them one by one. It’s like a game of Candy Crush for my ego. Here, one problem dissolved, then another, and another. If I could only hire the right person to tell me exactly what to do, I’d have the answer, I’d be enlightened, I’d be…
I can let this play in my mind on repeat. Marketing is seductive.
I’m not knocking all coaches and teachers (that would be silly after all; I kind of am one). And I have a business coach that I love and invest in ongoing training and development. Right now, I am in an Embodied Practitioner group for somatics and I just joined an advanced psychic detective mentoring program where I will get to work on real-life cases. I love to join things.
I ask myself the following questions before signing up for something: What am I hoping to get out of this? What am I being promised? (Hint: the best programs will tell you what they love to do, not promise how you will feel or what you will achieve.) Does this person have knowledge and information that I don’t? This helps me avoid joining programs out of spiritual FOMO and focus on what lights me up.
Affirmation: I am the ultimate authority in my life and I have within me the answers I seek.
3. Unaligned expectations
There is a huge difference between what we want to do and what we think we should do. Purging the shoulds from your life makes space for joy, connection, mystery, and magic.
Last year, I cut off over a foot of my hair and gave the cutest reasons for doing so. “It was like having a pet,” and “It was getting caught in the zipper of my jeans” (it was).
But truthfully, I think the real reason I cut it was because someone said to me years ago that my hair was “my best feature,” and it pissed me off so much for so long that I finally cut it. We all live with the burden of expectations, and it’s healthy to purge them from time to time.
If you need inspiration in letting some go, here’s a list of expectations I used to carry that I no longer do:
That I should always be polite. That I should be feminine. That I should post on social media everyday. That I should be available 24/7 as a Mom, Sister, Daughter, Wife, Teacher, and Friend. That I should make my kids dinner every night. That I should always be busy. That I should be the one to reach out first. That I should always be the bigger person. That I should have _______ figured out by now. That I should get along with everyone. That I should be grateful for the attention of ______. That I should return emails by the end of the day. That I should love my body. That I should be wise.
Try making a list of your own and see if any lingering “shoulds” need to go. You might even choose a supportive friend to bounce your list off of for confidence (or email me; I’ll do it!). My wife Rachel is the best at helping me see what I’m already accomplishing and what I am only giving energy to because I think I should. Sometimes, a loving voice saying, “you can stop doing that now,” is what we need.
4. Clutter
We live with so much stuff. Choose one area of your life to declutter for spring.
Here are some ideas:
Unsubscribe from 10 email lists that you no longer read
Donate 10 books to a little free library
Shred documents or mail lying around that you no longer need
Donate clothing you haven’t worn in a year
Toss out expired food in the cabinet
Repair something instead of buying a new one (the best feeling!)
Cancel streaming subscriptions or apps you don’t use
Get rid of old products/bottles in you bathroom or medicine cabinet
For more tips on this, check out: The Quest for Less
5. Stale Energy
If you can’t remember the last time you gave your house an energetic clearing, it's time!
You can use a clearing spray, burn herbs or incense, or simply rub your hands together and radiate the power of your intention to clear energy throughout your home.
I like to burn herbs. Walk around your home with your smoke (or chosen method) feeling or stating your intention and allow the smoke to spread into every corner. Open your windows and allow the air to refresh itself. Don’t forget to wash or sweep your floors afterward. You might create a mantra as you work.
Something like “this home is filled with light, love, and the freedom to be” or “I banish any energies and vibrations that are not mine.”
May you find a way to let go with ease
May the flow of life carry you toward newness
May you remember your loving power
With love,
Sheryl