Release with Joy: What Cannot Hold the Full You

Frankly, I have been putting things down. It has become a mantra of sorts to say to myself, I am putting that down and it is clearly not for me (aka not good to or for me). I typically recite this mantra when I arrive at the realization that someone, some environment, and/or something does not have the capacity to hold the full me. Meaning it is not honoring me in a genuine way nor pouring life back into me. I have learned the importance of releasing more readily what cannot hold space and honor the fullness of who I am. I refuse to contort myself to make something work or keep someone around that is clearly misaligned. You can release what cannot hold the full you with joy by honorably letting it go and making more space for genuine goodness to enter your life. I also advocate for reframing some goodbyes to be more joyful instead of painful. There is joy in knowing that something or someone has ran its course in your life. You have collected memories and wisdom from the experience and pruning your life enables you to produce more good fruit. 

The full you means all of the many beautiful layers that make up the wholeness that is you. That includes your humanness (vulnerable and unmasked you), your unique attributes (quirks and special traits), your presence (how you choose to show up), your boundaries (self-respect and self-preservation), your essence (who you are at your core), and so forth. At a base level, you will know if the full spectrum of your existence is or is not being honored. It will be evident by how you intuitively feel, how you are repeatedly being treated, the level of respect and consideration you are offered, and if you find yourself hiding or shrinking parts of you. Pay attention to the signs! Digest the experience, reassess if it is honoring you, and put it down quickly before it can cause more harm or impact your joy. There are times when we should decide to only experience something once then pivot more quickly. The full you was born worthy of being honored holistically. If that was never on the table or taken off of the table then it is your right to say - “I am putting this down and it is clearly not for me.”

Joy Gem: “You can choose what you hold on to and what you don’t. Letting go of what doesn’t fit will free you up for more possibilities.” - unknown