How to Let Go of the Past and Keep Moving Forward

First things first, you have to let go of how you thought things were “supposed” to go. This is key to learning to let things go.

Holding onto “could’ve” “should’ve” and “would’ve” is really not beneficial to you at all.

Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on what you want right now. The past is irrelevant. What matters is the now.

Do what you want now – what brings you pleasure, what fulfills your desires, what brings you closer to your goal. If you don’t know how to let go, you don’t know how to live your best life.

Before you completely move forward from your past, see what you can learn from it. There are always lessons to be learned from the things that happen to us in life. Instead of looking back at the past and just moping about it, look at it objectively. 

Ask yourself, “What did I learn from this situation and how have I become stronger?” This will give you insights into how the situation actually happened for you and made you stronger as a person. Writing down this information in a journal can help you slow down and process your thoughts, and this is a great tool for learning how to let go. 

A good quote to illustrate this is from the movie World War Z, where Brad Pitt says “Movement is life,” and leaves the apartment where he is hidden from zombies, even if he's encouraged to stay hidden inside. He is able to escape while the group that stayed behind doesn't make it.

Of course, that scenario is extreme, but the same is true for us. Movement is life. We have to keep going, we have to be willing to take a risk and take the next step.