Past Pain

Dissolving Past Pain and Moving Forward in Your Life

Have you ever been hurt so badly that you thought youd never come out on the other side? Perhaps youre still holding onto that grief. If you are, then its time to learn how to let go of past pain. You deserve to let it go and learn how to move forward with your life.

Holding onto past pain and anguish is a kind of self-inflicted torture that can cause serious health risks as well as emotional scarring. The truth is, when you cling to the past, youre internally changing your present.

How can something youve kept inside for so long just be let go? Its not an easy task, but it can be done with a little effort and self-reflection.

Here are some ways you can let go of past pain and disappointment, so you can move forward with your head held high:

Know whats holding you back. What are you holding onto and why? Identify the things youre keeping inside that you shouldnt be.

For example, maybe your best friend betrayed you in a way that broke your trust. Recognize this and figure out a way to finally deal with it. Get in touch with them again, then explain the pain theyve caused.

They may not even be aware they did anything to upset you. Whether or not they apologize isn't important. While it may be nice, you can't control others or force them to say sorry. However, by simply voicing your feelings, you are finding closure from the hurtful situation.

Getting closure on something that was left open-ended can make a huge difference in letting things go.

Talk it out. If the person who caused the hurt is still in your life, talk to them about the way they made you feel. If that person isn't available, try to talk to a close friend or professional therapist about the situation.

Getting your emotions out in the open can help you get over any resentment or anger you may be feeling. Bottling up your emotions is never a good thing. Let it all out in a constructive way and youll be amazed at how much better youll feel.

Forgive and forget. It may sound easier said than done, but forgiving someone who has hurt you can be extremely therapeutic. Strive to let things stay in the past and dont allow them to affect your present.

Once you learn to forgive the people whove caused your pain, you will find it far easier to heal and move on with your life.

Make the first move. Youre in charge of your pain. Youre the one who carries it around with you and you're the only one who can change its intensity. Its up to you to take control of the pain and take the first step towards making yourself feel better.

Acknowledge that your pain is real and that a positive solution exists.

Confront the cause of the pain and do everything in your power to get rid of it.

The best way to move forward is to forgive the past. If you cant change the past, you might as well learn to accept it and move on. Youll be glad you did once you see just how bright your future can be when you regain control of your life.

Make the conscious decision, today, to live your life free from pain and resentment.

Mental and Emotional Wellness

Christina Jones, LMFT