MIND MATTERS: Let It Go

How many of you out there, like me, have three types of clothes in your closet—thin clothes from 10ish pounds ago that you keep around to remind you that if you just worked a little harder, you could wear them again; thinner clothes, the ones you wore when you worked out every day, watched every carrot you ate and which scream “failure” at you every time you see them; and, fat clothes which are the ones you wore when you were 20-30 pounds heavier and which you keep around to remind you to not get too cozy with your body because you might end up in that hopeless place again?

 I see heads nodding!

I visited my closet recently and noticed how little I really had to wear on a daily basis. I’ve kept hoping that I could get back to that sleek figure I had 2 years ago when I was in the best shape ever.

Know what? It ain’t gonna happen.

Not only am I getting older and my clothes fading from fashion, but it doesn’t make sense to try holding onto something that will never again be. Remember last month’s admonition that what we focus upon expands? Well, so long as we keep reminders in our closets of failures and past glories, we fail to accept what we have RIGHT NOW. So long as I hold onto what could be or what might be, I lose what I have and end up living in a place of terminal dissatisfaction. And my dissatisfaction expands upon itself. 

I know I’ve held onto the old stuff out of the fear that I’ll get to that smaller size again and have nothing to wear. When I re-enter reality, though, I remember that it’s easy to visit the mall and purchase something that fits…and it won’t cost me a fortune, like I think it will. 

Really, it’s not hope, but fear, that guides us. We’ve not yet accepted who we are right now, but focus on what was or what could be. 

I urge you to take control today. Pick out what you haven’t worn in more than a year and find a new home for it. Many community organizations will gladly take what no longer suits you, and you can begin the journey of acceptance today. Make the most of who you are NOW.

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Wendy Jameson, MA, offers personal and business coaching through her company, Potentiate. She's the author of The Low Carb Survival Guide e-book and co-creator of the email-based Self-Manager Success Program. She lives in Gilbert with her husband and two boys.