Written By: Sahar Faer
June 2, 2024

5 MINUTE READ

Do you ever feel like your heart is carrying a weight you can’t quite shake? Like there’s a part of you that’s stuck in the past, no matter how much you try to move forward? Trust me, you’re not alone. We all have emotional wounds—experiences that have left their mark on us—and the journey of healing can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: letting go doesn’t have to be a battle. It can be a beautiful, graceful process if we approach it with patience and intention.

Let’s dive into how we can heal emotional wounds, not by ignoring them, but by honoring them and moving through them with grace.

1. Acknowledge Your Pain – No More Hiding

First things first: You can’t heal what you don’t acknowledge. It’s tempting to suppress those painful memories, to pretend they never happened, but that only prolongs the hurt. Emotional wounds don’t disappear by ignoring them. In fact, they tend to fester, causing more pain over time.

Instead, let’s start with the simple act of acknowledging the pain. Be honest with yourself. Sit with it. Journal about it, talk to a friend, or even just pause and let yourself feel it fully. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s the first step in releasing its hold on you.

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Maybe a friend hurt you, and you’ve been carrying that resentment for years. Instead of pretending it didn’t matter, admit to yourself, “I was hurt. That situation left a scar.” This small act of honesty creates space for healing.

2. Forgive – Not for Them, But for You

Forgiveness is one of those things that sounds easier than it actually is. It’s hard, right? Especially when someone else has wronged you. But here’s the secret: forgiveness isn’t about excusing the other person’s behavior; it’s about freeing yourself from the chains of resentment.

When you hold on to anger or blame, it’s like you’re giving someone else the power to control your peace. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, not them. It allows you to release the emotional burden that’s weighing you down.

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Picture this: You’ve been holding on to anger towards an ex. Every time you think of them, your chest tightens, your heart races. The moment you forgive—not for their sake, but because you deserve peace—you begin to feel lighter. It’s as if the weight lifts, and you finally take back control of your emotions.

3. Embrace Self-Compassion – Be Your Own Best Friend

When we’re hurt, we often become our own worst critics. We blame ourselves, tell ourselves we should have known better, or question our worth. But here’s something you need to hear: You are enough. You’ve always been enough.

Healing requires you to treat yourself with the same kindness and empathy you would offer to a friend. So, when those self-critical thoughts pop up (and trust me, they will), replace them with compassion. Speak to yourself gently. Allow yourself to feel vulnerable. Give yourself permission to not have all the answers, to not be “perfect” in your healing.

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When you catch yourself thinking, “I should have seen that coming,” switch the narrative: “It’s okay. I’m learning and growing from this experience. I did the best I could at the time.”

4. Let Go of the Need for Closure – Create Your Own

This one is a toughie. Sometimes, we hold on to our wounds because we’re waiting for closure. We want the apology we never got or the explanation we never received. But waiting for someone else to give you closure is like waiting for a bus that’s never coming.

Instead, give yourself closure. You don’t need anyone’s permission to heal. Write your own ending to the story, one that empowers you. Whether it’s writing a letter to that person (that you may never send) or simply deciding, “I am done with this chapter,” closure comes from within.

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If you’ve had a difficult relationship with a family member, you might never get the apology you feel you deserve. Instead of letting that stop your healing, you can create your own closure by saying, “I’ve learned what I needed to from this, and I’m moving forward.”

5. Trust the Process – Healing Takes Time

Let’s be real: healing is not a linear process. You won’t wake up tomorrow and suddenly feel better. Some days will be good, others will feel like setbacks. But that’s all part of the process. Trust that every step, no matter how small, is a step toward healing.

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Maybe you’ve had a breakthrough and feel like you’re finally ready to let go of that painful memory. But then, a random trigger pulls you back to square one. It’s okay. Trust that it’s just part of the ebb and flow. The key is to keep moving forward, even on the hard days.

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Let’s continue this journey together.