People who always move forward in life don’t get attached to these 8 things

Avatar by Isabel Cabrera | January 16, 2024, 3:38 pm

We all aspire to keep moving forward in life, don’t we?

But the truth is, it’s easier said than done.

Often, we find ourselves stuck in a loop, attached to certain things that hold us back.

And the problem is, we’re too attached that we can’t see how these attachments are like anchors, weighing us down and hindering our progress.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not here to tell you to detach yourself from everything and everyone around you. Life is all about balance, after all.

I’m just saying, you could move forward faster and lighter when you let go of baggage that could be slowing you down.

Here are 8 things that people who always move forward don’t get attached to:

1) The past

The past is a tricky area – it’s a great place for learning lessons, but at the same time, it could be a trap if we don’t know how to let go.

I remember when I used to dwell on my past mistakes. I used to replay them in my head over and over again, thinking about what I could have done differently.

But then I realized something. It was holding me back.

The past is the past for a reason. We can’t change it, so why do we spend so much time worrying about it?

People who move forward understand this. They learn from their past, yes, but they don’t let it control their present or their future.

2) Other people’s opinions

This one was a hard pill for me to swallow. I used to worry so much about what other people thought of me. I’d change my behavior, my clothes, even my opinions to fit in.

But it was exhausting. And empty.

I eventually came to feel like my life wasn’t really mine. I was simply playing a role. Actually, many roles — and none of them was the real me.

Eventually, I realized, why should I let other people’s opinions dictate my life? I was giving them way too much power.

If this is something you struggle with, I hear you. It can be difficult to extricate ourselves from the fear of judgment.

But at some point, if you want to move forward, you have to understand this: you can’t please everyone.

And that other people’s opinions are just that – opinions. Whether or not they agree with what you do, it’s their problem, not yours.

3) Perfectionism

Moving forward equals progress. And you know what they say — aim for progress, not perfection.

People who always move forward have long ditched the idea of perfection. Because they know that it’s unattainable, exhausting, and counterproductive.

At the heart of perfectionism is the fear of making mistakes. Of failing.

And believe me, that fear can be paralyzing.

That’s why those who continue to move forward in life have learned to let go of this need for perfection. They understand that mistakes are a part of life and a valuable opportunity for growth.

I’ll say it again — aim for progress, not perfection.

4) The idea of a perfect timing

Speaking of perfection, is there really such a thing as perfect timing?

We often find ourselves waiting for the “perfect” moment. The perfect time to start a new business, to say how we truly feel, to take that trip we’ve always dreamed of.

But here’s the thing – there is no perfect moment.

Life is unpredictable and fleeting. Those who keep moving forward understand this.

They seize the day, knowing that time waits for no one. They embrace the now, taking steps towards their dreams instead of waiting for a moment that might never come.

5) Control

Similar to perfectionism, control is an exhausting and counterproductive obstacle to moving forward.

I know this because I’ve always been a bit of a control freak. I liked having things planned out, knowing exactly what was going to happen next. It gave me a sense of security.

But of course, life isn’t like that. Life isn’t always going to cooperate. It’s unpredictable and full of surprises.

And you know what? Sometimes, those surprises are the best part.

The day I learned to let go of my need for control was the day I truly started moving forward. I’d even say that it was the day I truly felt free. I just felt incredibly lighter when I left a little bit of my life to fate.

People who keep progressing in life understand this. They know they can’t control everything and they’re okay with it. They adapt, they adjust, and they keep going, embracing the uncertainty that comes with life.

This brings me to my next point…

6) Comfort zones

Who doesn’t like feeling comfortable? It’s a safe space, free from risk and fear.

But growth? Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.

Central to this is a fear of change. We tend to stay with what we know because the unknown is scary. I’d be the first to say that this is a fear that has kept me back in the past.

In fact, I have so many regrets related to missed opportunities. I’d turn down invites to certain events and job offers simply because I was too scared to explore new environments.

Little did I know, I was actually in a more dangerous place — my comfort zone.

People who are always moving forward know just how dangerous the comfort zone is. That’s why they’re quite conscious about pushing themselves out of it.

They embrace the unknown and open themselves up to new experiences and opportunities, and that’s how they move forward. Even when they’re scared!

You know why? Because they know that they’ll regret the risks they didn’t take more than the ones they did.

7) Toxic attachments

In our journey through life, we often form attachments that feel crucial to our identity and happiness.

However, not all attachments serve our well-being. Some, in fact, are downright toxic, draining our energy, and hindering our growth.

These can be relationships, habits, or even certain mindsets that keep us trapped in a cycle of negativity and stagnation.

From a personal standpoint, I remember a time when I clung to a friendship that, in retrospect, was filled with negativity. It was a constant drain on my mental health, but I feared losing what I mistakenly viewed as a vital connection.

The process of identifying these toxic attachments often requires deep introspection and honesty. It’s about asking ourselves hard questions:

Does this relationship or habit contribute positively to my life? Do I feel empowered or diminished after engaging with this person or activity?

Letting go is seldom easy. It’s often a tough decision, filled with uncertainty and a sense of loss, but it opens doors to healthier relationships, habits, and a more positive outlook on life. It helps us move forward with a lighter foot.

8) Material possessions

Finally, we get to material possessions. Did you know that the average American home contains approximately 300,000 items? That’s a lot of stuff, and it’s a real testament to just how consumerist our culture has become.

The thing is, while material possessions can bring temporary happiness, they don’t bring lasting fulfillment.

People who consistently move forward in life understand this. They know that true happiness comes from experiences, relationships, and personal growth, not from things.

I’m not saying you should get rid of 75% of your possessions and go minimalist (although that’s a wise life decision that can benefit both you and the planet).

I’m simply advocating for more mindfulness in the way we accumulate stuff. Because sometimes the more we have, the more it all actually slows us down.

Like I said earlier, we travel farther and lighter when we have less baggage. And that includes literal baggage as well!

Moving forward

It’s clear that the journey towards personal growth and fulfillment is as much about letting go as it is about acquiring new skills or experiences.

In my own life, embracing these principles has been both challenging and rewarding. It took a lot of courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to step into the unknown. But it’s all been worth it, as I’ve made room to welcome new opportunities.

So consider what you might be holding onto that’s preventing you from moving forward. After all, you want to create space for growth, joy, and fulfillment, and you can’t do that without letting go of what no longer serves you.

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