The Art of Letting Go: A New Take on New Year’s Traditions
This year, I started a New Year’s tradition that felt impactful and powerful: writing Letters of Release. They say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So — if I want change, I need to break the cycle and try something new.
“Why not?” has become my mantra for things that might help me grow, even if they push me out of my comfort zone. If you’re not at the level you’d like to be in some area of your life, trying new things never hurts. So, I gave it a shot — and loved the result. This exercise was cathartic and helped me let go of what no longer serves me, creating room for new energy and growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down, this might be worth trying!
What Are Letters of Release?
Letters of Release are exactly what they sound like. You write a letter to a specific emotion, belief, energy, or even a person that you’re ready to let go of. It could be something like fear of failure, resentment, or the need for control. You acknowledge its presence in your life, thank it for what it’s taught you, and consciously release it. It’s a process of clearing out the old to make space for the new.
Why It Works
Letting go isn’t just about clearing space; it’s about creating the ideal conditions for growth. It helps you process lingering emotions, gain clarity, and open the door for new opportunities to align with your intentions. Think of your life as an ecosystem. For it to thrive and grow, you need to reflect on what’s holding it back — whether it’s overgrowth, weeds, or hidden challenges. By letting go of what no longer serves you, you create the conditions for flourishing.
Reasons this process works:
- Emotional Release: Writing helps you process and externalize feelings that might otherwise stay bottled up. The act of putting your emotions into words can be deeply healing.
- Clarity: By identifying and naming what you’re letting go of, you gain clarity about what’s been holding you back.
- Symbolic Closure: Burning the letter (safely!) or performing another ritual, like shaking out the energy, gives you a tangible way to say goodbye to what’s no longer serving you.
- Space for the New: Clearing what no longer aligns makes room for growth, abundance, and alignment with your true intentions.
How to Do It
- Pick What You Want to Release: Think about the people, emotions, beliefs, or energies you’re ready to let go of. Examples include fear, resentment, self-doubt, or the scarcity mindset.
- Write Your Letter(s): Use a template or free-write in your own words. Be honest and compassionate with yourself.
- Let It Go: Safely burn the letter as a symbolic release, or shake it out — really feel the energy leaving your body.
- Reflect: Take a moment to appreciate the space you’ve just created. Consider journaling about what you’re inviting into your life instead.
The Effects
This exercise reminded me of the power of taking inventory — not just of what isn’t working but also of how much I’ve already built. Every challenge I’ve overcome and every skill I’ve developed has been laying the foundation for a life more abundant than I can imagine. Like an ecosystem, growth takes time, and the unseen roots — character, resilience, and trust — are what create extraordinary results.
Letting go isn’t about loss — it’s about creating space for what truly matters and trusting that your efforts are building something beautiful. By continuing to nourish what serves you and releasing what doesn’t, you set the stage for extraordinary growth. The best things take time, but they are always worth it.
After doing this exercise, I felt lighter, clearer, and more optimistic about the year ahead. There’s something incredibly empowering about consciously letting go and stepping into a fresh start with intention.
Want to Try It?
I’ve created templates to help you get started — why not give it a try? Whether you’re releasing a specific person, belief, or fear, this exercise is about clearing space for growth and stepping into the new year with intention. It’s a simple practice with powerful results.
Here’s to a year of growth, trust, and creating space for extraordinary things to flourish in your life.
Templates
Letter to Release Yourself
Dear [Your Name],
I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the effort, love, and care you have poured into your life and the lives of others. You’ve been carrying so many expectations — those placed on you by others and those you’ve placed on yourself. I see how heavy that has been, and I honor the strength it has taken to keep going.
I release you from the need to be perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow at your own pace. I forgive you for any self-judgment, guilt, or regret you’ve held onto. You’ve always done the best you could with what you knew at the time.
I let go of the expectation that you must please everyone or live up to anyone else’s idea of success. Your path is your own, and you are free to follow your joy, even if it looks different from what others expect.
I release you from fear — fear of failure, fear of judgment, and fear of letting others down. You are worthy of love and happiness just as you are.
From this moment on, I give you permission to prioritize your dreams, your health, and your peace. You are enough.
With love,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release a Family Member
Dear [Family Member’s Name],
I want to acknowledge the love and care that exists between us, even when things feel challenging. I know we’ve both carried expectations of each other — some spoken, some unspoken — and these have shaped our relationship in ways that haven’t always felt good.
Today, I am choosing to release these expectations. I let go of needing you to [specific unmet expectation, e.g., “always understand my choices” or “agree with my decisions”]. I recognize that we are both on our own journeys, learning and growing in the ways we are meant to.
I release the hurt or frustration I’ve felt when you didn’t meet my expectations. I also release any guilt or pressure I’ve put on you to be someone you’re not. You are enough just as you are, and I choose to honor and love you for who you are, not who I want you to be.
I forgive both of us for the ways we may have hurt each other unintentionally. I set us both free from the past, allowing space for more love, understanding, and peace between us moving forward.
With love,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release a Partner or Ex-Partner
Dear [Partner’s Name],
I am writing this letter to release the expectations I held for our relationship and for you. I know I’ve carried hopes and desires that weren’t always fulfilled, and that’s okay. Those unmet expectations don’t define our connection or the good moments we shared.
I release you from the need to [specific unmet expectation, e.g., “validate my feelings,” “share the same goals,” “be more spontaneous”]. I recognize now that it wasn’t fair to expect you to be someone you’re not or to meet all my needs.
I also release myself from any guilt or blame I’ve carried about what didn’t work. We were both doing the best we could with what we knew at the time.
I choose to hold onto the lessons and growth that came from our time together and let go of the pain, frustration, or disappointment. I set you free with love, and I set myself free too.
With gratitude and peace,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release a Friend
Dear [Friend’s Name],
Our friendship has meant so much to me, and I cherish the moments we’ve shared. However, I realize that I’ve carried expectations about how our friendship “should” look, and I’m choosing to let those go.
I release you from the need to [specific unmet expectation, e.g., “always be available,” “understand my struggles,” “celebrate my successes”]. I understand that we are both human, with our own lives, challenges, and priorities.
I forgive you for any moments where I felt let down, and I forgive myself for holding onto that hurt. I choose to focus on the good we’ve shared and release any energy of disappointment or frustration.
I set us both free from these expectations, allowing our friendship to evolve naturally, in a way that feels good for both of us.
With love and gratitude,
[Your Name]
General Forgiveness and Release Letter
Dear [Name or Energy/Emotion],
I am choosing to release you today. I’ve held onto expectations and attachments that no longer serve me, and I am ready to let them go.
I release you from the need to [specific unmet expectation, e.g., “fix things,” “make me feel validated,” “understand my choices”]. I forgive you for any pain or disappointment, and I forgive myself for holding onto it for so long.
I let go of all resentment, frustration, and hurt. I free myself from the weight of these expectations, and I free you too.
From this moment on, I choose peace, love, and acceptance. I choose to focus on the present and create space for joy and alignment in my life.
With gratitude and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Fear of Failure
Dear Fear of Failure,
You’ve been with me for a long time, whispering doubts and urging caution. In some ways, you’ve protected me, keeping me aware and alert. But you’ve also held me back, making me hesitate to take risks and trust in the process.
I forgive myself for letting you dictate my actions at times. I forgive myself for doubting my abilities and for carrying the belief that failure defines me. Today, I release you. I no longer need to fear mistakes — they are simply opportunities to grow.
Thank you for the lessons, but I choose courage, confidence, and trust in my path moving forward.
With peace and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Resentment in Relationships
Dear Resentment,
I acknowledge the hurt and frustration I’ve carried in relationships, both with friends and loved ones. I see now that this resentment often stemmed from unmet expectations or a lack of reciprocity.
Today, I forgive myself for holding onto these feelings and for allowing them to take up space in my heart. I forgive the people who couldn’t meet me where I was or who acted from their own wounds. I release the need for others to validate or complete me.
I now choose to create space for relationships that are reciprocal, loving, and uplifting. I release you with compassion and gratitude for the lessons you’ve taught me.
With love and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Self-Doubt
Dear Self-Doubt,
You’ve been a constant companion, questioning my decisions and abilities. In some ways, you’ve kept me striving for better, but you’ve also created unnecessary fear and hesitation.
I forgive myself for giving you so much power. I forgive myself for believing that I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. Today, I let you go.
I now trust in my strengths, my intuition, and my ability to figure things out. I welcome self-confidence and self-assurance into my life, knowing that I am deserving of all the good that comes my way.
With strength and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Scarcity Mindset
Dear Scarcity,
I see how you’ve shaped my view of the world, making me believe that there’s never enough — enough time, enough money, enough success. You’ve taught me to work hard and be resourceful, but you’ve also made me afraid to trust in the abundance that exists all around me.
I forgive myself for holding onto you for so long. I forgive myself for believing that struggle is necessary for success. Today, I release you.
I now choose to embrace abundance, knowing that there is more than enough for everyone, including me. I trust that everything I need is flowing to me at the perfect time.
With gratitude and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Control
Dear Need for Control,
You’ve been a part of me for so long, trying to protect me from uncertainty. You’ve helped me feel safe in chaotic times, but you’ve also made it hard for me to let go and trust the process.
I forgive myself for holding on too tightly. I forgive myself for trying to control outcomes that were never mine to dictate. Today, I release you.
I now choose to surrender, trusting that the universe is guiding me toward my highest good. I embrace ease, flow, and alignment in all areas of my life.
With peace and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Shame and Guilt
Dear Shame and Guilt,
You’ve lingered in the background of my life, reminding me of mistakes I’ve made and times I didn’t live up to my own expectations. You’ve made me feel small and unworthy.
But today, I choose to let you go. I forgive myself for every mistake, every misstep, and every moment of imperfection. I know now that I’ve always done the best I could with the knowledge and resources I had at the time.
I release the weight of your presence and choose to live with compassion and love for myself. I am free.
With love and release,
[Your Name]
Letter to Release Financial Struggles
Dear Financial Stress,
I acknowledge your presence in my life and the lessons you have brought me. You’ve taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the value of balance. But I also recognize how you’ve weighed me down, causing fear, doubt, and a constant need to prove myself.
Today, I choose to release you. I no longer need to hold onto the belief that money is hard to earn or that abundance comes only through struggle. I forgive myself for any decisions that may have prolonged our connection, and I trust that I am capable of creating financial freedom with ease and grace.
Thank you for the lessons, but your time in my life is over. I now welcome financial abundance, stability, and flow.
With gratitude and release,
[Your Name]
