Day 2: Let Go
On Day 1 of the Back to You Challenge, you did the hard word of reflecting inward and identifying what area of your life/mental health could use some attention. It might be your relationships, or perhaps your mood feels dysregulated. Whatever it is - phew, you did it! Naming a feeling or a need is a difficult.
On Day 2, we are going to focus on letting go. So often, expectations of how things should be, are what make us feel unhappy or dissatisfied. The pressure to attain a certain position at work, parent in a particular way, live in a certain place, or surround ourselves with specific people can lead to stress, anxiety, and a constant feeling of never being enough. So on day 2…we let go.
Are there commitments, relationships, habits, feelings of guilt, or unsolicited pieces of advice that are weighing on you? Are you carrying a lot of “shoulds”?
Examples of “shoulds” you might be carrying
As a woman
I should be able to do everything myself.
I should always be available to help other people.
I should put everyone else’s needs before my own.
I should be able to handle everything without getting overwhelmed.
I should keep everyone happy.
I should look a certain way.
I should be more organized/productive.
As a mom
I should make homemade meals more often.
I should volunteer for everything at my kids’ school.
I should keep the house cleaner.
I should always be present and engaged with my kids.
I should make every birthday/holiday special.
I should know how to handle every parenting situation.
I should feel grateful all the time.
In relationships
I should be the one who keeps everyone connected.
I should be more understanding.
I should avoid conflict.
I should make sure my partner/family is happy.
I should be able to forgive and move on.
I should tolerate things because “that's just how they are.”
I should be the one to reach out first.
At work
I should respond to emails immediately.
I should take on that extra project.
I should never say no to my boss.
I should always be productive.
I should work harder if I want to succeed.
I should be further along in my career by now.
I should stay in this job because it's stable.
Socially
I should go to that event even though I don't want to.
I should keep up with all my friendships.
I should respond to everyone's texts.
I should make time for people even when I'm exhausted.
I should be more outgoing.
I should say yes because I don't want to disappoint anyone.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Today’s prompt: What am I ready to stop doing out of obligation or “shoulds”?
This is likely directly connected to the ratings you gave yourself in the five areas on Day 1.
If we can let go of some of the “shoulds” then we can move into Day 3 and make space for change.
Don’t forget to grab the free workbook to work through the daily prompts.
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