Let It Go
Working in the ED, I had daily reminders of just how quickly life can change. A family member finding out a loved one couldn’t be saved. A new diagnosis. A life-changing injury. Some days I fail miserably at “letting it go,” but I try to remind myself how important it is not to carry around resentment and anger, and that often things shrink with a little distance or perspective. What matters is health, forgiveness, moving on, and moving forward.
A Simple Practice to Try
When something keeps replaying in your mind, try to pause and acknowledge it. Ask yourself whether this is something worth continuing to carry and what purpose it is serving. In most cases, carrying it forward doesn’t solve the problem. It pulls attention away from your work, your relationships, and your ability to be present. Take one deliberate action that marks an ending, such as writing it down or physically stepping away. You are not dismissing what happened. You are choosing not to let it drain your energy.
Why It Matters
Holding onto resentment and unresolved stress keeps the nervous system in a heightened state. The body responds as if the threat is still present, even when it is long passed. Over time, this ongoing activation contributes to fatigue, irritability, disrupted sleep, and emotional overload. Letting go, even in small ways, allows the body to settle out of stress mode and return to a state where recovery and clear thinking can happen.
Closing Encouragement
Letting go is not about pretending something didn’t matter. It is about deciding how much space it deserves in your life now. You will not do this perfectly. Most of us do not. But each time you release what no longer serves you, you create room for what actually does.