Taking Control and Letting Go
Alyssa Forzano
I find this topic to be very interesting, as it pertains to myself and learning to take control. I believe everybody can relate in one way or another of letting something go that has been bothering them or affecting their behavior by negative thoughts.
Taking control can mean various things. Taking control of a particular situation, taking control of your health and food management, or just taking control of yourself and wellbeing.
In an article I found on (Let it Go!, Psychology Today), it describes the “letting go” process. It talks first about anchoring yourself in the future. The idea of this is to get excited about something new to look forward to while working to let go of the past.
Discarding any triggers that suggest you are not ready to let go and move on. Discarding the past can be beneficial to letting go. Part of this process that the article talks about, is making amends. Making amends with yourself and others to create a more positive future and putting the past behind you.
Transforming your narrative is a way is a way to rewrite key aspects of your life, our own story looking at things from a different point of view. This does not obviously change the past but may help you find a different perspective.
Forgiveness is essential for letting go. The article states “forgiveness is a decision, not a capitulation.” You need to decide to forgive yourself.
One last thing that I really liked about this article, it mentions to learn to be present. It talks a lot about being mindful and being present in that very moment. As you grow more aware of your mindfulness you can move on, let go, and get past the past.
The topic of letting go is essential for taking control. You can’t do one without the other. Taking control is thinking of what you want, and having a plan to overcome and achieve. There are so many things in life that we want to take control of. Our health, finances, anxiety, fitness, anger, etc.
According to our text book, Essentials of Managing Stress, page 142, Chapter 8; “Control in an attempt to manipulate oneself, others, or both. Control has as addictive quality to it in that no matter how much one has, it never seems to be enough.”
Do you think controlling is addictive?
I never thought of this question before. I believe that individuals that crave control and or need to be in control, are definitely addicted to the empowerment of being in control. Control can be very powerful, it can be difficult to obtain to some and harder to let go for others. There are people that need to take control more and people that need to let control go. In life we come across many situations we may not have the power to control.
In an article from Google Scholar about mindfulness, it talks about how much being mindful, having deep openness, and acceptance will help you let go. This is done simply through the practice of being mindful and have awareness.
“Let It Go!” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201411/let-it-go.
“Taking Back Control of Your Life.” The Wellness Recovery Action Plan®, mentalhealthrecovery.com/info-center/taking-back-control-ofyour-
life/.
American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-09669-001.
Classroom Text Book. “Essentials of Managing Stress, Fourth Edition” page 142,
Chapter 8. Author; Brian Luke Seaward.
