STRONGER TOGETHER: New Year, New You—"Letting Go” of the Dead Wood

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses the importance of letting go of old habits, negative emotions, and limiting beliefs to make room for new growth and opportunities in the new year.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

As we usher in a new year, there’s an inherent sense of renewal and possibility in the air. It’s a time to reflect on the past and consider what we’ve been carrying—emotionally, mentally, and even physically. While we often focus on adding new habits, goals, or achievements, this year, the most powerful action we can take may be to let go of what no longer serves us.

“Letting go” is a deceptively simple concept, but in practice, it can be harder than it seems. We tend to cling to things that hold us back—old habits, negative emotions, limiting beliefs, and relationships that no longer nurture us. These attachments can feel like weights, subtly pulling us down, but because they’re familiar, we continue to carry them.

The idea of "letting go" sounds easy enough: simply release the grip. However, letting go is much more nuanced than that. It requires not just releasing something physically, but also understanding why we hold on in the first place.

To help you explore this, try the following exercise for “Letting Go”:

1. Grab something you can hold in your hand—a small plant, a stone, or any object.
2. Wrap your hand tightly around it and repeat these instructions to yourself: "Do not let this go." "Hold on tightly." "Do not allow my grip to loosen."
3. Keep holding for one minute, focusing on the sensation of your grip.
4. Now, release it. Drop it. Immediately.

What do you notice? Is there a lingering sensation in your hand, a reminder of what you just held on to? Did you hesitate before letting go, even for just a moment? Was there a part of you that wanted to keep holding on, even after you made the decision to release it?

This exercise, inspired by 101 Ways to Find Calm by Rebekah Ballagh, demonstrates a powerful aspect of letting go. It's not just about the physical act of releasing; it’s about understanding the emotional imprint left behind.

When we let go of people, habits, or emotions, we often feel a similar tug—a hesitation, resistance, or a sense of loss—even when we know deep down that it's time to move forward.

As you reflect on this, ask yourself some important questions:

• Does this person, habit, or belief still serve me?
• What effect is holding on to this having on me? Is it helping me grow, or is it holding me back?
• What is preventing me from releasing this? What emotions, fears, or attachments are involved?
• How might my life change if I let this go?

It’s crucial to remember that "what we resist, persists." The more we cling to something out of fear, guilt, or habit, the more tightly it holds us in its grip. “Letting go” isn’t about force—it’s about giving yourself permission to release what no longer serves you, with grace and compassion. The emotions that arise in this process—whether they’re fear, sadness, or even relief—are all valid. Give yourself space to feel them and move through them at your own pace.

This year, as you embark on your journey of growth, don’t just focus on adding new things to your life. Focus on what you’re ready to let go of. By clearing away the dead wood, you’ll make room for healthier habits, more fulfilling relationships, and fresh opportunities to take root and flourish in 2025.