What it takes to be free.

 Learning to let go of things, to hope, to strive, is much more difficult than to hold on to them. It is human nature to view ourselves in terms of what belongs to us, and thus we become attached to old objects and situations, broken relationships, and even meaningless goals. We accumulate frustration, dwell on past mistakes, and attach sentimental value to worthless things. These burdens can hinder our ability to explore, create, and discover ourselves. Why is it so hard to let go of them? Sometimes this is because material things carry sentimental value. We may be guided by past experiences or future expectations. Items with sentimental value from the past include a souvenir from your vacation, a bracelet you wore on your first date, or a mug your grandmother gave you. Items with sentimental value for the future could be a box of art supplies (hoping to learn to paint one day), a collection of architecture books (which you will definitely start studying someday), or dumbbells (you plan to start working out one day ). Getting rid of them is like saying goodbye to a dream. And sometimes we don't want to be wasteful. We think we might need them again or feel guilty about spending money on them. This is the misconception of frivolous spending. A great way to detach from things is to do it gradually. Start with the easy stuff: gadgets you haven't used in years, old documents of little value, or just things you don't even remember what they are or what they're for. Gradually move on to more meaningful things by asking yourself: Why do I care about this item? If some things are dear to you, keep them to yourself. Sticking to goals can be an invisible burden that we carry without noticing. They may not align with our current aspirations, but they still influence our decisions and actions. We often cling to outdated goals driven by an illusory sense of duty to a younger version of ourselves. For example, you have to climb the corporate ladder only because of family expectations. Financial goals, reaching a certain level of wealth or buying a property by a certain age can also put a lot of pressure on you. The burden of abandoned goals can even manifest itself in areas that are normally considered positive. For example, wanting to run a marathon even though your health doesn't allow it, or pursuing higher education even though it's not practical due to your current life circumstances. In many cases, specific goals can limit learning opportunities. Some of the most exciting discoveries happen by accident. Why do I care about this goal? Most goals can be transformed into solid strategies based on enjoying the process without focusing solely on the end result. Letting go of the past is challenging because in a sense you have to part with a part of yourself. Experiencing forms the basis of who we are, and freeing ourselves from the burden of past memories means reexamining our identity.