Practice Letting Go

Navigate The Day

Say Hello

In today’s episode of Navigate the Day, I explore what it really means to practice letting go—not in a detached or cold way, but in a way that allows me to love more honestly and live with a little more peace. Epictetus reminds me that nothing I have, not even the people I hold closest, truly belongs to me. Life gives, life changes, and eventually, life takes back. That truth used to feel harsh, but lately I’ve been learning that it’s actually an invitation to be more present, more grateful, and less afraid.

This week, I found myself confronting the many places where I still cling—sometimes to people, sometimes to outcomes, sometimes to old stories about who I think I’m supposed to be. I’ve noticed how often I slip into judgment, how quickly I retreat into isolation, or how easily I fight against reality when it doesn’t match the picture in my mind. And I’ve realized that each of these struggles comes from the same root: holding on too tightly.

Letting go doesn’t mean loving less. In fact, it means loving without pretending I have control. When I see the people in my life as gifts instead of possessions, my love becomes freer, gentler, and less tangled up in fear. When I see outcomes as uncertain instead of guaranteed, I’m able to show up with effort instead of entitlement. And when I acknowledge impermanence, I stop expecting life to stay still long enough for me to feel safe.

This episode is my attempt to sit with the discomfort of that truth. I talk honestly about my frustrations with acceptance, my tendency to judge myself harshly, and the ways I distract myself when reality feels overwhelming. I explore the tension I feel between the Stoic principle of focusing on what’s in my control and my own desire for certain results. And I admit that even after years of studying Stoicism, much of it is still incredibly hard for me to practice.

But underneath all that difficulty, there’s something quietly hopeful. If nothing is fully mine, then I am free to appreciate what I have while I have it. If every moment is temporary, then every moment offers a fresh chance to choose differently. And if my power to choose is still intact—no matter the mistakes, no matter the setbacks—then growth is always possible, even when I don’t feel particularly strong or optimistic.

Practicing letting go doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’m trying. I’m trying to loosen my grip on old expectations, on stubborn judgments, on the idea that I should already have everything figured out. I’m trying to be more present with the people I love, including myself. And I’m trying to remember that life isn’t asking me to control everything—only to meet what comes with a steadier heart.

If you’re struggling with acceptance, with loss, or with the fear of letting go, I hope this episode gives you space to breathe. We’re all learning how to loosen our grip, one day at a time. And maybe that’s enough.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!
Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work