Accept and let go. Terms that can be quite frustrating when it comes to pain. Why accept? Nobody wants to live with pain, right? Let go of what - I feel pain, don't I? 

I have to admit that I have also become a bit allergic to these terms. Especially when they are mentioned just as easily by someone who really doesn't know what I'm going through. You'll just have to accept it.

When letting go does make sense

Still, accepting and letting go also make sense. In a previous blog I wrote mainly about accepting. When was it and when wasn't it? Today I'd like to take a closer look at 'letting go'.

There are two scenarios in which letting go can really help.

1. We soon get into the habit of 'holding on' to the past.
   By holding on to the past, it often becomes more difficult to rebuild something now. Suppose you used to run for a long time with ease, and that it is already difficult to build up walking gradually. It makes sense to be disappointed. But if that bales make sure you don't go out anymore, it's really better to let go earlier. Letting go of what has been, and being proud of what you've achieved now will take you further.
    
2. Another habit that doesn't help much is to think too much about what you've already done and haven't helped.
   Maybe you've already tried everything to get rid of pain - sometimes with little or no success. It is difficult to find the courage to go for it again. Or maybe you feel like you have to keep doing something 'because you've already done so much for it' - when it doesn't help you. Here, too, letting go makes more sense than holding on to it. So that you can move forward. 

As you can see above, letting go does not mean 'pretending there is nothing going on'. That doesn't help anyone. Letting go mainly means leaving the negative moments behind, to see today what can be done better in your life. By making your life a little better every day, you can work on your pain.