Letting Go of the Past: Lessons from My Closet and My Journey
As I’ve progressed on my weight loss journey, one of the unexpected joys has been cleaning out my closet. Dropping sizes and inches has meant donating so many of my clothes, some of which I once clung to as if they were part of my identity.
What struck me most during this process is the difference in how we view clothes when we gain versus when we lose weight. When we gain weight, we often “save” smaller items, saying things like, “When I get back into that size, I’ll wear this again.” But when we lose weight, we rarely save our larger clothes “just in case.” It’s as if, when we make positive changes, we’re ready to let go of the past, but when we make negative changes, we cling to it.
The Weight of Holding On
This pattern of holding on to the past when things don’t go as planned doesn’t just apply to our clothes. It happens in other areas of life too—mental health, eating habits, exercise routines. When we falter, we often beat ourselves up, replaying past decisions like a broken record. But what if we treated those moments of struggle the same way we treat old clothes during a positive transformation? What if we simply let them go, thanked them for their purpose, and moved forward?
Just as we shouldn’t hold on to old jeans that no longer serve us, we shouldn’t let moments of struggle define us. Setbacks are temporary, not permanent. They’re opportunities to learn and recalibrate, not reasons to give up.
Creating Safe Spaces for Struggles
One thing I’ve noticed is how, when we’re succeeding, we often reach out to our communities for encouragement and celebration. Whether it’s a supportive group, friends, or family, we love sharing our wins and hearing the cheers of those rooting for us.
But what about when we’re struggling? How often do we reach out then?
For many of us, the answer is “not enough.” It’s easy to feel like we’ll disappoint others by admitting we’ve stumbled or to fear judgment for not staying on track. But here’s the thing: if we can’t talk openly about our struggles, is it really a safe and supportive community?
True community isn’t just about celebrating the highs; it’s about being a shoulder to lean on during the lows. We need spaces where we can share openly—both the moments we’re proud of and the ones we’re not.
Letting Go and Moving Forward
So here’s what I’ve learned from my closet cleanout: letting go is a powerful act of self-love. It’s not just about clothes; it’s about releasing the things that no longer serve us—self-doubt, negative self-talk, unrealistic expectations. It’s about acknowledging that setbacks are part of the process and that progress is rarely linear.
If you’re reading this and feeling like you’re holding on to something from the past, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect. What would it feel like to let it go?
And if you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. Let’s create communities where we can celebrate our wins and support each other through the challenges. Because real change happens when we feel safe enough to share it all—the good, the bad, and the messy in-between.
Gratefully,
Kristen
(GLP-1 user and Altranais Wellness client)
