(It Means Trusting What Comes Next)
What does letting go really mean for you?
Why does it pull at us so deeply?
Is it the fear of the unknown?
Or maybe the sense of failure?
Or even the worry that this time… maybe you won’t bounce back?
The truth is, letting go—even when we know it’s the right step—can feel like a knot of relief wrapped in sadness, fear, and overwhelm. It’s messy. It’s emotional. And sometimes, it feels downright impossible.
I’m usually someone who, once a decision is made, jumps in feet-first and starts running.
I don’t linger. I don’t overthink. I just go. However, while that trait often helps me move forward, it doesn’t always protect me—especially when the decision isn’t mine.
Wow… that is a whole different kind of hard.
The Slump That Took Me By Surprise
The past few weeks hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I’ve always been upbeat, positive, the one who finds a way forward. But this time?
I had to crawl out—slowly, awkwardly, imperfectly.
Eventually, I did crawl out.
But not alone.
There was a moment not long ago when everything felt overwhelming—until it didn’t.
That shift didn’t happen all at once, but something changed. I shared that experience in our blog post titled The Moment Calm Replaced Panic, and what helped me move from reacting to responding when everything felt out of control.
If you want to read more, you can find it here: The Moment Calm Replaced Panic
My Support System Saved Me
I am blessed with an incredible circle:
A husband who stands beside me and lifts me up
Parents who listen, guide, and give wisdom
Friends who help me unwind, laugh, and process
If I’m being honest, the “friends” part has always been my weak area. As a wife, mother, daughter, business owner—the roles add up. And in the shuffle, friendships often fall to the bottom of the list.
I’m fortunate that my husband has always been the connector in our marriage, nurturing relationships that, in turn, sustained me when I needed them most.
If you don’t have a network—family, friends, mentors, a circle—please consider building one. It’s not optional. It’s survival.
And be picky. You deserve people who lift you higher, not those who drain your spirit.
One of my favorite sayings is:
“I can do bad all by myself.”
You don’t need help sinking.
Tools That Helped Me Come Out the Other Side
Here are the four tools that made the difference for me:
- Meditation (Your Way, Not the Perfect Way)
Meditation is not one-size-fits-all.
It can be breathing, prayer, stillness, guided audio, walking, music—whatever brings you clarity and calm.
People often say,
“I can’t stop my thoughts.”
That’s okay. Meditation isn’t about perfection. It’s a skill that grows with practice. Just like anything else worth doing. - Exercise
This one slipped for me recently—and I felt it.
Exercise strengthens not only the body but the mind.
It reduces stress, lowers dementia risk, and for women especially, builds bone density and resilience.
Your brain needs movement every bit as much as your muscles do. - Positive Self-Talk
Every day I talk to myself (yes, really!) with intention:
What’s going well?
What strengths am I bringing forward?
What blessings am I grateful for?
It helps keep those ANTs away—Automatic Negative Thoughts (thank you, Dr. Daniel Amen).
Here’s a great article if you want to dive deeper:
https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/number-one-habit-develop-order-feel-positive/ - Grace
Grace for yourself.
Grace for your process.
Grace for not being “on” all the time.
You’re allowed to feel sad, overwhelmed, pressured, confused.
But ultimately, what matters is that you don’t stay there. Feel it. Process it. Move through it.
And if you can’t move through it alone, please—reach out.
You are not meant to carry everything in silence.
Your Assignment This Week
Choose one of the four strategies above—meditation, exercise, positive self-talk, or grace—and try it consistently for the next seven days.
Then, tell me:
What did you notice?
Did it help?
Did anything feel easy?
What surprised you most?
And if you have a strategy that has worked for you during difficult seasons, please share it.
I would genuinely love to hear from you.
Walking through seasons like this can feel heavy, especially when you’re used to being the one others rely on. That’s exactly why we created a space where care partners can find support, perspective, and practical guidance when they need it most.
You can join our free Essentials level inside the Care Partner Membership to access resources designed to help you navigate moments like this with more clarity and less pressure.
Learn more about our Care Partner Membership here.
Your partner in care,
Shelley
