How to Let Go?

release stress, anxiety and overwhelm

Recently, I was asked, how to let go? In this short article, I’ll share one of my favorite techniques called, “The Park Bench Method” or “Parked Car Method”.

Before going into that, a little background info is in order.

Letting go is easy. If you can let go of an object (i.e. drop something), then you can also let go of a thought, word or feeling.

It’s that simple once you allow yourself or give yourself permission to do so.

Giving ourselves that permission may be difficult at first.

So many of us were taught as small children to suppress our emotions and feelings. We were told, “boys don’t cry” or “toughen up” or “a girl your age should…” and the list goes on.

The truth is, we have our emotions for an important reason and that these emotions offer us valuable insight.

Our emotions tell us, literally, how we are feeling and what we are thinking in regards to the subject of our attention.

They alert us when life is going very well for us as well as when life is going very poorly for us.

Most importantly, our emotions are meant to be experienced.  All of them: joy, bliss, happiness, uncertainty, frustration, anger, sadness, and so on.

That is the key, experiencing our emotions, and where we tie-in with the park bench or parked car method.

The park bench (or parked car) method allows us to experience our emotions. It is super simple to implement and is done in just two steps.

Step 1 – find a spot where you can be alone and undisturbed (i.e. a park bench or parked car).

Step 2 – feel your emotions fully. If you need to cry, then cry. If you are angry, then embody that anger. Allow whatever emotion that you are currently experiencing to flow through you, fully. Allow it to  come through and experience that emotion to its fullest extent.

Related Post: Managing in Times of Uncertainty

When I began using this technique, I would sit and scream in silence and allow all the anger, rage, frustration, everything, to flow out of me.  (Note: by screaming in silence, I mean that I experienced all of the emotion, all of the body language, all of the facial expressions, and all of the emotional release without making a sound – impressive 😉).

Once you release the dam (so to speak) and allow all that blocked, negative energy to flow out of you, something wonderful and magical happens.

There is nothing left.  

There is no more negative energy.  It’s gone.  And this often happens when you least expect it.

This may take a few sessions or many sessions, and it will happen, nonetheless, like magic.

Sure, new stuff may come up and that’s where we may be able to help.

As things come up in your life, the ability to process these negative emotions is paramount.  

It is critical to have the tools and processes available for yourself to maintain a joyous lifestyle.

The park bench or parked car method is a wonderful tool and when properly integrated with your self care and personal development routines, you can live the life that you desire, filled with peace, love and joy.

Stress is a choice.

If this is an area of concern for you, we would love to be part of your journey. 

Thanks and have a great day.
Namaste 🙏

How do you practice letting go?

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