If You Want to Fly High, Let Go of These 7 Things

A few years ago, I found myself stuck in a cycle of frustration and self-doubt. I had dreams I desperately wanted to pursue, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to make progress. Every step forward felt like dragging a heavy weight behind me. One day, I sat down and asked myself, “What’s holding me back?” That simple question changed everything. I realized I was carrying the baggage of past failures, toxic habits, and the fear of what others might think. It wasn’t easy, but when I started letting go of these weights, I discovered the freedom to fly high.

In life, we all dream of soaring high, of reaching heights where our potential meets our purpose. Yet, many of us feel grounded, unable to take flight. Why is that? The answer lies in what we’re holding onto. To fly high, we must let go of the things that weigh us down. Just as a hot air balloon must release its sandbags to ascend, we too need to shed the burdens keeping us earthbound. If you want to fly high, you need to give up everything that weighs you down. Let’s explore the 7 things we need to release and why letting go is the first step toward reaching our dreams.

7 Things to Let Go If You Want to Fly High

1. Let Go of Past Mistakes

One of the heaviest weights we carry is the guilt and regret from our past mistakes. We all have moments we’re not proud of, decisions we wish we could undo, and times we fell short of our own expectations. But dwelling on these moments does not change them. What’s done is done. What matters is what you choose to do now.

Mistakes are not failures—they are lessons. Every time you stumble, you learn something invaluable about yourself, your circumstances, or your journey. Let go of the narrative that you are defined by your past. You are not your mistakes. You are the strength, resilience, and wisdom you’ve gained from overcoming them.

Take a moment to reflect: What mistake from your past still haunts you? Now ask yourself, “What did I learn from this experience?” Use that lesson as fuel to propel you forward, rather than as an anchor holding you back.

Example: A friend of mine once lost a significant opportunity due to procrastination. For years, he regretted it and avoided taking risks out of fear of repeating the mistake. When he finally let go of that guilt, he enrolled in a new course, took a leap of faith, and eventually built a successful career. His past failure became the stepping stone for his growth.

2. Let Go of Laziness and Procrastination

If dreams are the seeds of success, then action is the water that helps them grow. Laziness and procrastination are the droughts that stunt your progress. It’s easy to delay starting, to promise yourself that you’ll begin tomorrow. But here’s the truth: Tomorrow is not guaranteed. The only moment you have is now.

Laziness often comes disguised as comfort. It whispers, “You’re fine where you are,” even when deep down, you know you’re capable of more. Procrastination tells you there’s always time, but in reality, every second spent delaying your dreams is a second you can never get back.

The antidote? Discipline. Start small. Set one achievable goal for today, and follow through. Momentum builds when you take consistent action, no matter how small the steps may seem. Remember, even the tallest mountains are climbed one step at a time.

Example: I used to put off writing assignments until the last minute, telling myself I worked better under pressure. But the stress and mediocre results told a different story. One day, I set a timer for just 15 minutes to start working. That small action led to hours of productivity, and now I rely on this method to overcome procrastination.

3. Let Go of Negative Addictions

Negative addictions, whether they’re physical, mental, or emotional, can quietly rob you of your energy and focus. They create a false sense of comfort while slowly eroding your potential. These could be substances, unhealthy habits, or even toxic thought patterns that keep you stuck in a loop of negativity.

Breaking free isn’t easy, but it’s essential. The first step is recognizing the addiction and understanding how it’s holding you back. Seek support, whether from friends, family, or professionals. Replace destructive habits with positive ones. For instance, instead of reaching for your phone first thing in the morning, try journaling or meditating. Over time, these small shifts will transform your life.

Example: A colleague of mine struggled with excessive social media use, spending hours scrolling and comparing her life to others. She decided to delete the apps temporarily and replaced that time with reading self-help books. Within months, her productivity skyrocketed, and she felt more confident and focused.

4. Let Go of Other People’s Opinions

How many times have you held back because you were worried about what others might think? We live in a world where judgment feels omnipresent, amplified by social media and societal expectations. But here’s the truth: Other people’s opinions are none of your business.

Living your life to please others is a recipe for unhappiness. You cannot control how others perceive you, nor should you try. What you can control is how you show up for yourself. When you prioritize your dreams and values, you’ll attract the right people—those who support and celebrate you for who you truly are.

Ask yourself: “Whose opinion am I giving too much power over my life?” Then, consciously choose to reclaim that power. Your life is yours to live, not theirs to dictate.

Example: A friend of mine wanted to switch careers from finance to art but was terrified of what her family would say. After years of hesitation, she finally pursued her passion. Today, she’s a thriving artist with a supportive community, and her family admires her courage.

5. Let Go of Fake Friends

Your circle matters. The people you surround yourself with have a profound impact on your mindset, energy, and trajectory. Fake friends—those who drain you, belittle your dreams, or bring negativity into your life—are like weights pulling you down.

Real friends uplift you, challenge you to grow, and celebrate your victories as if they were their own. They inspire you to be your best self. If someone in your life consistently brings you down, it may be time to let them go. This isn’t about bitterness; it’s about prioritizing your peace and progress.

Letting go of toxic relationships creates space for healthier, more fulfilling connections. Surround yourself with people who believe in your ability to fly, and watch how high you can go.

Example: I once had a friend who constantly doubted my decisions and dismissed my ambitions. Every conversation left me feeling small. When I distanced myself, I found new friends who genuinely supported me, and my confidence grew exponentially.

6. Let Go of Overthinking

Overthinking is a silent killer of dreams. It’s the endless loop of “What if?” and “Should I?” that paralyzes you into inaction. While reflection is valuable, overthinking often leads to self-doubt and missed opportunities.

The key to overcoming overthinking is action. Stop waiting for the perfect moment—it doesn’t exist. Start where you are, with what you have. Trust that clarity will come as you move forward. Remember, it’s better to take imperfect action than to stay stuck in the paralysis of analysis.

Example: I spent weeks overthinking whether to launch my first blog. I worried about its design, content, and whether anyone would read it. Finally, I decided to publish the first post, imperfections and all. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and I realized that action beats endless planning.

7. Let Go of the Fear of Failure

Perhaps the heaviest weight of all is the fear of failure. We’re afraid to fall, to stumble, to be seen as anything less than perfect. But failure is not the enemy; it is a teacher. Every successful person you admire has failed—often more times than they can count. What sets them apart is their ability to learn from failure and keep going.

Reframe failure as feedback. Instead of asking, “What did I do wrong?” ask, “What can I learn from this?” With each setback, you grow stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the challenges ahead.

Example: A budding entrepreneur I know launched a product that flopped spectacularly. Instead of giving up, he analyzed what went wrong, pivoted his approach, and created a new version. That product became a massive success, and he now credits the failure as the best lesson of his career.

Related: 4 Steps to Disappear and Come Back as a Champion

Embracing the Freedom of Letting Go

When you let go of what weighs you down, you create space for what lifts you up. Imagine the freedom of no longer being tied to your past, your fears, or the opinions of others. Imagine the energy you’ll have when you’re no longer burdened by toxic habits or relationships. Imagine the clarity you’ll gain when you quiet the noise of overthinking and take purposeful action.

Letting go is not about losing; it’s about gaining. It’s about gaining freedom, peace, and the ability to rise to your full potential.

5 Practical Steps to Let Go and Fly High

1. Identify Your Weights: Take some time to reflect on what’s holding you back. Write them down. Seeing them on paper can bring clarity and a sense of empowerment.
2. Start Small: You don’t have to let go of everything all at once. Choose one area to focus on and take small, consistent steps toward releasing it.
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Letting go can be difficult, and setbacks are normal. Be kind to yourself as you navigate this process.
4. Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Don’t be afraid to seek help from a mentor, coach, or therapist.
5. Celebrate Your Progress: Every step you take toward letting go is a victory. Acknowledge and celebrate your growth.

Takeaway: If You Want to Fly High

You were not meant to crawl through life, burdened by weights that no longer serve you. You were meant to fly, to rise above challenges, and to reach heights you once thought impossible. The journey begins with letting go. Release the past, embrace the present, and step boldly into the future. The sky is vast, and your potential is limitless. It’s time to spread your wings and fly high. The world is waiting for you to soar.