Clearing what holds us back from The DailyOM

[Julie]

"When we let go of what no longer serves us, we become calmer, more grounded, and more present in the moments that matter."

Sometimes the things that hold us back aren’t loud or dramatic. They’re subtle, familiar habits — like working through lunch on a busy day, saying yes even when you’re already stretched thin, or telling ourselves something didn’t hurt as much as it really did. This way of being often comes from a generous heart and a deep sense of responsibility, but over time, it can drain our vitality, leaving us burned out and overwhelmed before we realize what’s happening. What’s easy to forget is that our ability to show up as our best selves often depends on taking time to replenish ourselves — to create a sense of spaciousness within that allows the mind to settle and the nervous system to calm. Creating that space might begin with something tangible, like setting new boundaries or lightening a packed schedule. But it also invites a gentler slowing down: noticing the things that keep us rushed, reactive, or stressed, and giving ourselves permission to let them go. When we clear away what no longer serves us, something wonderful happens. We become calmer, more grounded, and more present in the moments that matter. Creating space then turns into an act of devotion—not only to ourselves, but to the life we’re participating in. And from that place, we’re able to open our hearts and feel a kind of freedom we may not have experienced in years.