"Finding Freedom in Letting Go"

I struggled with the title of this post because there is no inherent beauty in “letting go.” Releasing beliefs and practices that have shaped your thoughts, actions, and self-esteem throughout your life is not an easy or graceful process—it’s a struggle. But within that struggle lies release.
About six months ago, I reached a fork in the road: continue living within the conditioned thought patterns that had driven my life, or step onto a new path—one filled with uncertainty, but also the possibility of peace and freedom. Something had been preparing me to see that new road for over a year, and I finally chose to take it.

The Process of Letting Go
The first step on this new path was slow and deliberate. I quit dieting. I began practicing positive affirmations. Initially, those affirmations focused on being healthy and burning fat (while still envisioning a smaller version of myself), becoming wealthy, loving my job, and doing God’s will.
But then it hit me: I wasn’t really letting go. I was still traveling a parallel road, clinging to the same ideals I was trying to leave behind.
True freedom required more than affirmations. It required acceptance—of who I am, where I am, and the aspects of my life I wanted to change. I needed to acknowledge that I had enough. I realized that whether my income stayed the same, decreased, or increased, I would still be comfortable.
The more fear I attached to those external things, the more fleeting they felt. But when I detached from the fear and embraced neutrality, I became open to endless possibilities for change. Simultaneously, I learned to be at peace if nothing changed at all.

Embracing Neutrality
Today, I’m still working to dismiss old beliefs about how I should act, feel, or look—but it’s getting easier. For example, when I try on a pair of pants that no longer fit, I no longer feel disgusted or upset. Instead, I simply slide them off and either put them back in the closet or donate them to charity.
This shift has been liberating. Letting go of those constraints has created space for happiness and self-acceptance. I’ve applied this way of thinking to my marriage, parenting, and life overall, and the peace it’s brought is immeasurable.

A Prayer for Your Journey
I pray you have the courage to break free from any aspect of your life that no longer serves you. This journey has been so eye-opening for me and my family, allowing for more peace, acceptance, and love.

​With Love and Care,

Frankie Reed-Shaw