You’re scrolling through Instagram, clutching your latte, when another post hits you: “Just let go! The universe has your back.”
You sigh. You’ve tried. You’ve meditated, journaled, chanted. But bills pile up. Relationships crack. The “universe” hasn’t paid your rent.
Here’s the truth no one wants to admit: “Letting go” isn’t freedom. It’s surrender to chaos.
Myth of “Letting Go”
We’ve been sold spiritual candy: “Release control. Trust the flow. Everything happens for a reason.”
But try this:
- Let go of your steering wheel on the highway.
- Let go of your business deadlines.
- Let go of your child’s hand in a crowd.
Suddenly, “letting go” isn’t enlightenment. It’s recklessness.
Why “Be in the Moment” is Half-Baked Advice
“Live in the now!” they say. But here’s the irony: You’re already here.
- Can you pay rent with “the moment”?
- Can you build a future on “the now”?
- Can you heal trauma by ignoring the past?
Telling someone to “just be present” is like handing a drowning man a philosophy book.
False Solutions
Picture this: A man with whooping cough walks into a pharmacy. The clerk gives him laxatives. “Why?” asks the owner. The clerk shrugs: “Look at him—he’s too scared to cough now!”
That’s the modern wellness industry. We’re handing out spiritual laxatives for soul-deep wounds:
- Anxiety? “Let go!”
- Overwhelm? “Just breathe!”
- Existential dread? “Manifest abundance!”
We’re treating symptoms, not causes. And it’s making us sicker.
Peace Isn’t the Goal—It’s the Foundation
They tell you peace is the “ultimate achievement.” Bullshit.
- You need peace to enjoy a meal.
- You need peace to drive safely.
- You need peace to love fully.
Peace isn’t the mountain peak. It’s the oxygen to climb it.
The Real Work: Manage Your Intelligence, Not Your Expectations
Your mind isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool—one you’ve never been taught to use.
- Stop Spiritual Bypassing: Don’t “let go” of responsibilities. Own them.
- Upgrade Your Awareness: Notice patterns. Learn from the past. Plan for the future.
- Choose Alive Over Zen: Peace isn’t numbness. It’s clarity to act.
Life isn’t a meditation app. It’s a raging river. You don’t let go—you learn to swim.
The Invitation: Take the Wheel
Today, try this:
- Name One Burden: What have you been told to “release” that actually needs your attention?
- Face It: Write one actionable step to address it. Not a mantra—a plan.
- Drive: Grab the steering wheel. Swerve around potholes. Accelerate toward purpose.
Remember: The universe doesn’t pay bills. You do.
The next time someone says, “Just let go,” ask: “Will you catch me when I fall?”