You Are Not Your Past

Learning how to let go of our past is one of the most difficult things we can ever do. We may worry about letting go of past relationships, how we were raised, or the wrongdoing we experienced. Our memories of our past can feel like treasure when we are poor, a light when we’re in darkness and a compass when we are spiritually adrift.

Yet, we can grow stronger if we release the parts of our past that hold us back from becoming the best version of ourselves. We’ll look at how being shackled to past experiences can disrupt the peace of the present moment and offer tips on how to let go for a brighter tomorrow.

Why is it so hard to let go of the past?

We have all had experiences that shaped our perspective of the world. The things we have been through in the past can be powerful enough to shape what we decide to do today, as well as guide our decisions in the future.

Some people are lucky enough to find it easy to move on after a difficult experience, while others find that the past feels like an indelible mark left upon their soul. In many ways, lessons learned from past experiences keep us safe today. This feeling of safety can become a cushion that helps mitigate risk and prevents us from being hurt again, both physically and psychologically.

However, when this feeling of safety becomes all-encompassing, avoiding new experiences can stop us from making positive changes. We dread stepping out of our comfort zone, because our past experience tells us to continue seeking comfort. We may have a thought like “I won’t try to make a change and stop, because my last attempt didn’t work.” This becomes the fuel that starts a self-sustaining fire and hinders a person’s chances of healing and recovery.

How trauma can stop us from letting go

For many people, letting go of the past is more difficult because of the trauma they have been through. Much like a physical scar, trauma can create a psychological wound, deeply embedding itself into our personality and swaying the decisions we make today by the force of its invisible hand.

Trauma experienced during childhood could be considered the strongest barrier stopping a person from making positive changes. Psychologists often refer to trauma as “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). Going through ACEs like violence, abuse or neglect in childhood can make these forms of trauma feel normalised. We may indeed look at the adversities we’ve been through as forms of armour that protect our sensitivities. This can mean that letting go of the trauma that existed in the past feels like letting go of a deep part of ourselves, an aspect of our inner being that makes us who we fundamentally are.

Sadly, overwhelming research shows that the more ACEs a person experiences, the more likely they are to suffer from a drug addiction. More ACEs directly correlate with worsened mental health, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in adulthood. In this way, letting go of traumatic past events becomes an act of liberation and provides the first step in entering addiction treatment.

How can I take steps to let go of the past?

Letting go is not easy. Each person’s unique experiences and current situation can mean they’re tied to their past in different ways. Naturally, this means that the process of dismantling the powerful mechanisms of your past is specific to you. However, a handful of practices can make it easier to let go of painful memories and start a healing process.

We hope trying some of these can ease your pain if you are suffering:

I need help with an addiction in my life

If you’re struggling with an addiction, you may feel as though the past is impossible to escape, no matter how hard you try. During those moments when you feel most alone, we want you to know that help is out there.

Here at UKAT, we understand how past experiences, trauma and life events can become driving forces of addiction. Our rehab centres incorporate evidence-based therapy treatments to help you contextualise and then reframe recurring negative thoughts that stem from the past. Our addiction rehab programmes help you manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Ongoing aftercare is in place to keep you on track to a brighter future, free from the clutches of addiction.

The help you need and deserve is only one call away. Contact us now to start your journey of healing.