How Letting Things Go Can Reduce Stress and Increase Inner Confidence

Do you ever find yourself stressed about a heated conversation with a colleague or replaying that one mistake from last week? Maybe you feel the weight of walking on eggshells or the anxiety of avoiding conflict at work. Whatever it is, it’s probably draining you and clouding everything else you do.

This is leadership, right? Or at least what we think leadership demands. But what if we told you that learning to let things go could free you from that burden?

Why Letting Go Matters in Leadership

As leaders, we carry the weight of not only our own tasks but also the well-being and performance of our teams. When things don’t go as planned, we’re often the first to feel the pressure. The inability to let things go compounds stress, which can lead to burnout—feeling physically or emotionally drained, disengaged, and sometimes unable to carry on.

Letting go isn’t about sweeping things under the rug or pretending mistakes never happened. It’s about consciously choosing to release the emotional weight that holds you back. When we let go, we make space to lead from a place of clarity and confidence rather than being tied to the past.

What’s Holding You Back From Letting Go?

Many leaders hold on to the way things "should" have gone or what someone "should" have said. We dwell on mistakes, replay conversations in our heads, and carry guilt long after it’s useful. Why? Because we often cling to what's familiar—even if it’s painful. These “shoulds” act as invisible burdens, weighing us down and keeping us stuck. They’re part of our BS (belief system)!

Letting go means releasing those “shoulds” and instead building a strong sense of self that’s agile enough to face challenges without getting stuck in cycles of stress.

Steps to Let Go as a Leader

1. Identify What You’re Holding Onto
   The first step is recognizing what’s holding you back. Is it a past mistake, a grudge, or maybe fear of failure? Take a moment to reflect and identify it.
2. Practice Forgiveness
   Forgiveness is essential, not just for others, but for yourself. We all make mistakes. By forgiving, you release resentment and create space for growth and new opportunities.
3. Focus on What You Can Control
   Letting go doesn’t mean letting everything slide. It means focusing on the things you can control—your actions, your reactions, and your mindset.
4. Create New Patterns
   Sometimes, we hold onto the past because we’re stuck in old ways of thinking. By creating new habits, you can move beyond those patterns that no longer serve you.
5. Build Confidence Through Action
   Confidence isn’t just a feeling; it’s a state of being that helps us glide through challenges without being weighed down. It’s like a muscle you build over time. As you make intentional decisions and practice self-compassion, you’ll strengthen your confidence.

The Leadership Transformation

Leaders who master the art of letting go don’t just lead well—they lead consciously. When you let go, you reduce stress and emotional baggage, allowing you to approach challenges with clarity and a solution-oriented mindset. This benefits you and also the team that looks to you for guidance.

Ready to Let Go?

Letting go might seem difficult at first, but the freedom, growth, and peace it brings are well worth the effort. When you create space for what truly matters, you’ll find yourself leading with more ease and authenticity.

Join us in Feel Human Series 3: Letting Things Go to dive deeper into this practice. Learn practical tools and practice releasing the burdens that have been holding you back -- step into a lighter, more empowered version of yourself as a leader!