Embrace Freedom on National Let It Go Day
June 23rd isn't just any ordinary day. It’s National Let It Go Day, a chance for us all to take a deep breath, exhale those negative emotions and finally move on from the things that weigh us down. Whether it’s that embarrassing thing you said five years ago (that no one remembers but you), a grudge taking up prime real estate in your brain, or the fact that your favorite TV show ended terribly—today is the day to release it all.
This day is all about shedding emotional baggage, embracing inner peace, and, if necessary, screaming into a pillow until you feel better.
The Birth of National Let It Go Day
National Let It Go Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, proving that sometimes the best holidays come from people who have had enough. Their idea was simple yet profound: provide a day dedicated to letting go of emotional clutter—the regrets, grudges, and mental junk drawers that no longer serve us.
Think about it: we clear out old clothes from our closets and delete unnecessary emails, and yet, somehow, we let petty arguments from 2011 live rent-free in our minds. National Let It Go Day reminds us that clinging to negativity doesn’t hurt anyone but ourselves. It’s time to declutter our emotional hard drives and make room for happiness, growth, and possibly some dessert—because emotional freedom should come with a reward.
Holding On vs. Moving On
We've all been there—stewing over an argument, dwelling on past mistakes, or crafting the perfect comeback way too late. But negative emotions don’t just hijack your mental space—they can actually affect your physical health.
Studies show that chronic stress and emotional baggage can lead to:
- High blood pressure (because of that one person who cut you off in traffic three years ago)
- Weakened immune systems (because resentment isn’t exactly a vitamin)
- Increased anxiety and depression (because replaying bad moments doesn’t change them)
Now, imagine all that wasted energy you’ve spent rehashing things you can’t change. If negative thoughts were calories, we’d all be Olympic athletes just from pacing around our rooms in frustration.
A Tale of Two Mindsets
Imagine two people: Alex and Jamie.
- Alex holds onto every slight, treating grudges like collectible action figures. Their internal monologue is a highlight reel of every awkward moment they’ve ever had, played on an endless loop.
- Jamie, on the other hand, understands that life is too short to dwell. They acknowledge their emotions, process them, and move on faster than a WiFi connection in a Starbucks.
Guess who’s sleeping better at night?
National Let It Go Day encourages us to ditch the "Alex approach" and embrace the "Jamie mindset." Why spend your precious time carrying the weight of past mistakes, regrets, or that one email you should’ve re-read before sending? The more you let go, the lighter and freer you become.
How to Celebrate National Let It Go Day
The beauty of this holiday is that it doesn’t require extravagant gestures. No parades, no fireworks—just you, deciding to finally drop the emotional baggage you’ve been carrying around like an overstuffed suitcase at baggage claim.
Here’s how you can embrace the spirit of the day:
📝 Write It Down, Tear It Up
Make a list of everything that’s been bothering you. Then, tear it up, burn it (safely!), or flush it down the toilet like it’s an outdated love letter. Symbolic? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
🧘♂️ Meditate and Breathe It Out
Engage in mindfulness or meditation. Imagine each negative thought floating away like a balloon—unless you're terrified of balloons, in which case, imagine them evaporating into thin air like a bad internet connection.
😂 Laugh It Off
Think about something that once made you furious but is now hilariously insignificant. That parking ticket from 2018? That time you tripped in public? That ridiculous ex who thought pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza? Laugh at it. It’s in the past.
💪 Get Moving
Exercise is scientifically proven to help release tension. Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or angrily lifting weights while imagining it’s your boss’s bad feedback, movement = stress relief.
🤗 Forgive Someone—Even if It’s Just in Your Mind
Forgiveness doesn’t mean letting someone off the hook—it means freeing yourself from the burden of resentment. Even if you don’t tell them, letting go of that grudge can do wonders for your mental health.
Fun Facts About Letting Go
Before you overthink whether you should let something go (which defeats the purpose, by the way), here are some fun facts to consider:
- Studies suggest that people who practice letting go live longer. That’s right—your grudge against Karen from accounting might be shaving years off your life. Let it go.
- Holding grudges has been linked to higher cortisol levels. Cortisol = stress hormone. Stress hormone = bad. Letting go? Good.
- The phrase “let it go” skyrocketed in popularity thanks to Disney’s Frozen. If Elsa can belt it out while wearing a fabulous dress in subzero temperatures, you can certainly do the same in your living room.
- Forgiveness has been shown to improve heart health. If you won’t let go for yourself, do it for your arteries.
- Some cultures have traditions dedicated to letting go. In Japan, there’s a practice called shikata ga nai, which means “it cannot be helped”—a way of accepting what’s beyond your control.
Why National Let It Go Day Matters
At its core, National Let It Go Day isn’t just about getting rid of negative thoughts—it’s about reclaiming your happiness.
Think of your mind like a closet. If it’s stuffed with outdated junk—like a sweater from 2002 and regret from high school—there’s no space for the good stuff. Letting go makes room for joy, new experiences, and peace of mind.
So today, whether you’re forgiving a friend, letting go of old fears, or finally accepting that your favorite TV show will never get a proper ending, take a deep breath and release it.
After all, life is too short to carry unnecessary baggage. And if nothing else, at least try letting go of that one embarrassing moment from middle school—trust me, no one remembers it but you.
Now, go forth, let it go, and enjoy the freedom!
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