Attachment - Why to Let Go of it​

In a world that often glorifies nostalgia, I’ve found myself wondering: Does holding onto the past truly comfort us, or is it quietly holding us back?
Today, I want to share my journey of discovering how attachment to bygone people, experiences, or objects stifled my present joy—and how I learned to break free. This isn’t about denying the beauty of memories or pretending loss doesn’t hurt. It’s about shifting our relationship with the past so we can fully embrace what life offers us right now.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned:
Attachment holds you in a version of life that no longer exists.
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My Struggle with Attachment

Attachment isn’t inherently bad. I’ve cherished countless memories of loved ones, especially my mom, and honored moments that shaped who I am.
But over time, I realized that fixating on those memories kept me emotionally stuck. It dulled my ability to engage with life in the present. Take my lifelong passion for aviation, for example. Years ago, I’d spend hours filming aircraft, absorbing aviation news, and being fully immersed in that world.
But I’ve changed. My interests evolved. And clinging to that old version of myself would have kept me from exploring new passions that align with the person I am today.
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Why I Choose the Present​

There was a moment when I caught myself scrolling through old photos, wishing I could go back. Then I realized—I was missing the life happening right in front of me.
The person I am today isn’t the same as my 17- or 30-year-old self. And that’s a beautiful thing.
New friendships, new creative outlets, and even new ways of understanding the world were all waiting for me--if I was present enough to notice them. I started engaging with kind strangers on walks. I reconnected with old friends, not out of obligation, but because we’d grown in ways that made us resonate again.

​What Helped Me Release the Past

I Keep Only What Serves MeMy mom left behind a handmade needle box—a practical, simple object I still use to fix clothing. But I don’t hold on to things out of guilt. If something no longer adds value to my life today, I let it go. The memory stays, but the clutter doesn’t have to.
I Reconnect Mindfully
Some friendships naturally faded as our lives diverged. Others reignited when our paths aligned again. I learned to respect the seasons in my relationships. It’s okay for connections to ebb and flow.
I Honor Memories—Then Return to NowI occasionally light a candle for my mom or look through a few old photos. But after that, I come back to the present. I ask myself: What can I create today? Who can I love today?
I Embrace ImpermanenceEverything ends. Even the most beautiful relationships. My mom’s passing reminded me that nothing in the physical world lasts forever. Spiritually, though, I’ve found peace knowing that connection continues—just in a different form.
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The Hidden Cost of Attachment

Every hour spent mentally in the past is an hour stolen from today’s joy.
That might sound harsh, but it’s true. When we live in memories—no matter how sweet—we often miss the magic of now. And right now, life is offering us new people, new moments, and new emotions.
We just have to look up.
So many opportunities for joy surround us daily:

• The warmth of the morning sun
• The laughter of a child
• The unexpected smile of a stranger
• The stillness of your own breath

But when your attention is tied to what was, you can’t receive what is.
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My Spiritual Perspective​

Losing my mom was one of the most painful experiences of my life. And yet, it taught me something deeply healing.
She may be gone physically, but her essence lives on in the love, the memories, and the lessons she left behind. Letting go of the form allowed me to keep the essence.
Spiritually, I see life as a series of beautiful seasons. None last forever—and that’s okay. Each has its own rhythm, its own gifts, and its own exit. The more I accept this, the more peace I find.
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Final Thoughts​​: The Present Is the Gift​

​Letting go isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about making space for what’s here.
It’s about shifting from:

• I miss them every day
  to
  
• I cherish what we shared and I’m open to what’s next.
  

So here’s what I remind myself often:
🟡 Who’s here now?
🟡 What’s here now?
🟡 Where is joy blooming—right under my feet?
Life isn’t happening yesterday. It’s happening today.
And if you can gently loosen your grip on the past, I promise—joy will start reaching for your hand.