What Am I Letting Go of This Year?

Summary

In 2021, the author underwent a transformative journey of self-discovery, learning to prioritize self-worth over people-pleasing and external validation, and is determined to let go of past hurts and fears to embrace a new, stronger identity.

Abstract

The author reflects on the past year as a pivotal period of personal growth and awakening. Identifying as an introverted HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), they have historically prioritized others' needs at the expense of their own, engaging in people-pleasing behaviors to seek external validation due to a lack of self-worth. Through therapy, the author has discovered their inherent value and is now committed to releasing the fears of judgment and the need for approval from others. They resolve to stand up for themselves without compromising their kindness and humility, understanding the importance of self-respect. The author acknowledges past regrets of not advocating for themselves and is inspired by Yana Bostongirl's December prompt to contemplate and articulate what they are letting go of as they move forward.

Opinions

The author believes that there is a distinct difference between being nice and being kind, emphasizing that niceness can stem from a need for external validation rather than genuine kindness.
They express regret for the time spent in people-pleasing behaviors that were not reciprocated and for not standing up for themselves in the past.
The author values kindness and compassion but is adamant about not allowing others to treat them like a doormat, signaling a newfound assertiveness.
They are determined to maintain humility while also protecting their self-worth, indicating a balanced approach to self-improvement.
The author feels a sense of gratitude towards Yana Bostongirl for prompting them to reflect on what to let go of, which has led to a cathartic release of hurtful memories.
They identify with the phoenix metaphor, symbolizing rebirth and the emergence of a stronger self from past struggles.
The author is open to engagement with readers, expressing interest in what others are letting go of in their own lives.

In response to the “Know Thyself” December prompt.

The year 2021 has been a year of awakening to me. It has been a year of self-discovery and oh boy, what a remarkable journey it had been!

I am an introvert and an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), which means I have always placed other people’s interests above me. It also means I had been leading a life of people-pleasing.

I am tired of all the precious time in my life when I have tried to be too kind, and compassionate to others, while they didn’t reciprocate the same.

I didn’t realize that was niceness and not kindness. I was confused about being nice and kind. They are not the same.

I was being nice to them because I needed external validation. And I needed external validation because I had no self-worth.

A year of therapy has taught me to value my own self — I have found my self-worth for the first time in my life. I am not letting that therapy go to waste.

Instead, I am letting go of all the fear of what other people will think and feel. I am letting go of all the suppression and repression.

I regret all the time when I didn’t stand up for myself.

From now on, I am determined that I am going to stand up for myself because I learned a hard truth — If I don’t stand up for myself, no one else will.

I am not going to be unkind to people, I definitely do believe in kindness and compassion and never going to leave that — but not at my cost. I am not going to let people treat me like a doormat, because I am not a doormat.

I am also not going to lose the side of humility — that’s my biggest strength, but I am not going to depreciate my self-worth at any cost.

I am letting go of my fear of dejection or external validation. I know I am good enough and that is enough.

I am letting go of all the hurtful memories and I know it's a new stronger me rising from the ashes just like the Phoenix.

I thank Yana Bostongirl from the core of my heart for her December prompt in this article that inspired me to think about what I am letting go of this year.

Here’s another article on the December prompt by writer Lucia Landini that I loved reading.

So what are you letting go of this year? I would love to know.

Thank you for reading.

KNOW THYSELF HEAL THYSELF

What Am I Letting Go of This Year?

In response to the “Know Thyself” December prompt.

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