In Part 1, we explored how to:

1. Let Go of the Desire to Fit In

While it’s natural to want to belong, obsessing over fitting in everywhere can lead to self-doubt and insecurity. Find your tribe—the people who appreciate you for who you are. Release the need to be liked by everyone, and you’ll find freedom in embracing your authentic self.

2. Let Go of Self-Criticism

We all make mistakes, yet many are quick to criticise themselves for even minor errors. Accept your imperfections and focus on your strengths. You can cultivate a healthier mindset and build confidence by treating yourself with kindness.

3. Let Go of Criticism of Others

Judging others not only harms relationships but also promotes negativity in your mind. Practice empathy and focus on people’s positive traits instead. This way, you can create a more harmonious and supportive environment around you.

4. Let Go of Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships drain your energy and self-esteem. Recognise the signs — manipulation, control, or constant negativity — and distance yourself. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you instead.

We also explained “gaslighting” and what you can do to end it.

5. Let Go of the Fear of Failure

Ironically, one of the most common barriers to personal growth is misunderstanding what failure is. Many of us grow up internalising that failure is a form of weakness and failure to show capability. This mindset will make you avoid challenges, remain in your comfort zone, and resist change — all actions that restrict your potential.

But let's get real here: Failure is not the opposite of success; it's a step toward it.

— Redefine What Failure Means

Instead of viewing failure as a dead end, it should be treated as a stepping stone. Every failure is a valuable lesson, pointing out what works, what doesn't, and where you need to improve. Successful people, be they inventors or entrepreneurs, have credibly expressed gratitude to their failures for whatever achievements they have made. Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

Ask yourself: What can I learn from this experience? How can this setback help me grow stronger or smarter?

— Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome

The fear of failure mostly develops when you focus on the results, not the process. You do this by setting process-oriented goals, concentrating on effort and progress over perfection. It helps you stay motivated and resilient even when things do not turn out as expected.

For example, if you’re learning a new skill, focus on the steps you’re taking to improve rather than being immediately excellent. Progress, however small, is still progress.

— Confront Fear with Action

The best way to overcome the fear of failure is by taking action in the presence of fear. The longer you procrastinate or hesitate, the larger the fear grows. Start small if you need to, but take that first step. Each action creates confidence, starting a positive cycle and gradually reducing fear.

Pro tip: If a task seems overwhelming, deconstruct it into smaller, manageable steps. Any small milestone will build momentum and encourage persistence.

— Create a Safe Space to Experiment

The fear of failure can fester in cultures demanding perfection or where mistakes are met with severe judgment. Create a culture of experimentation at work, in relationships, or in personal projects. Give yourself — and others — permission to try, fail, and try again without fear of judgment.

— Visualise Success

Instead of worst-case scenarios, visualise positive outcomes. Imagine what it would feel like to reach your goals, and how your life could improve because of it. Positive visualisation reduces anxiety and builds confidence to move forward.

Use all your senses. It must feel real and positively place you on a “high.”

Imagine what it would feel like to reach your goals. What do see, hear, and smell? What does it taste like?

— None of Us Has Ever Lived a Life Without Failure

Nobody achieves success 100% of the time. Even the most prosperous people in the world have experienced countless failures en-route to their goals. Knowing this — that failure is a natural and inevitable part of life, learning and growth — allows you to approach a challenge with less fear and more curiosity. By normalising failure, you remove its power to intimidate you.

— Seek Support and Mentorship

If the fear of failure overwhelms you, reach out to a mentor, coach, or supportive friend. Many times, talking about your fears can help you find clarity and see things from an entirely different perspective. A mentor can share stories of failure and recovery, illustrating that setbacks are all part of the process.

— Make Setbacks Opportunities

Failure isn’t about the mistake or misfortune; it’s what you do next.

When a setback occurs, you must ask yourself, “How can I use this experience to propel me forward?”

Reflect, recalibrate, and come back stronger. This is a key demonstration of resilience between those who make it and those who give up.

That is not to say that you will never be scared of failure, misgivings or anxiety. You will be prepared so you may face those fears and move on regardless.

Remember: Failing isn’t an end; it’s a new beginning filled with opportunity and growth.

6. Let Go of Attachment to Material Things

Our world is governed by consumerism. It is easy to get tangled up in happiness and self-worth from material things. Though there is nothing wrong with enjoying some comfort and convenience, attaching too much importance to them can bring stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction.

— Why We Get Attached to Things

Material possessions or objects often represent success, security, or identification. For example, a luxurious car might give you a feeling of accomplishment, and sentimental things can remind you of good times. These attachments are natural; however, when they become the very anchors of your happiness, you risk being burdened with the anxiety of losing them.

— The Hidden Costs of Material Attachment

• Emotional Baggage: Attachment to stuff anchors your sense of happiness outside of yourself. Plus, you may feel devastated or incomplete when that object is lost, broken, or replaced.

• Financial Encumbrance: The never-ending process of getting and replacing material possessions is expensive, and diminishes the possibility of meaningful experiences or personal growth.

• Mental Clutter: Stuff everywhere overwhelms your brain. In most cases, the visible clutter in your life often reflects inner, emotional, or mental clutter, making concentration and finding peace of mind difficult to achieve.

• Cost: The time used to pursue or keep things often comes at the expense of deeper relationships, newer experiences, or inner peace.

The Joy of Letting Go

Decluttering your life is not just about removing “stuff;” it’s about releasing yourself from material possessions. Of course, this does not mean you should live a minimalist life or deny yourself all comforts. Rather, it’s about shifting your focus away from “things” and onto what counts.

• Focus on Experiences:

  More and more research supports the idea that rather than stuff experiences truly create longer-lasting happiness. Memories and joy — from family vacations, learning a new hobby, or even just quality time with loved ones — are things no gadget can replace.

• Prioritise Meaningful Stuff:

  Keep the possessions that truly matter to your life or hold sentimental value. Keep these and discard the items that no longer serve any useful purpose.

• Be Generous:

  Giving away or donating items you don’t use cleans up your space and gives to others who may need what you have more than you. Generosity encourages gratitude and connectedness.

How to Let Go

Here are some tips:

• Declutter a Little at a Time:

  Start with a single room, drawer, or category such as clothes or books. Investigate what each item is used for and how important it is in your life.

• Use the “Joy Test”:

  Inspired by Marie Kondo’s philosophy, ask yourself if something brings you joy or provides a specific purpose. If not, it is time to reconsider.

• Challenge the "What If" Mentality:

  Many of us keep items “just in case.” Be honest about whether you truly need these items or are holding onto them out of fear.

• Digitise Sentimental Items:

  Scan or digitise memories, such as old photos, letters, or memorabilia, to capture their essence without having the physical clutter.

The Advantages of Letting Go

• Mental Clarity:

  A clutter-free environment keeps you calm and organised. This way, it's much easier to be more focused and productive.

• Financial Freedom:

  You'll save money by resisting buying unnecessary things, which you could invest in growing or meaningful experiences.

• Meaningful Relationships:

  Paying more attention to people, not things, will create stronger and more complete relationships.

• Inner Peace:

  Freeing yourself from attachment to worldly goods allows you to develop contentment unrelated to possessions.

By releasing attachment to tangible things, you are making space for what really enriches your life: meaningful experiences, authentic relationships, and inner growth.

So, ask yourself now:

What can you let go of today to create a more fulfilling tomorrow?

7. Let Go of Negative Comparisons to Others

Social media only shows the highlight reels of everybody’s life. The temptation, therefore, is to compare yourself with others (or what you think of them). Whether it’s their career milestones, physical appearance, relationships, or material possessions, negative comparisons will make you feel inadequate, unworthy, and unmotivated.

But let's get real here:

Comparing your behind-the-scenes reality to someone else’s curated life version is inherently unfair. No two journeys are the same; what you see on the surface often hides struggles and failures.

Why Negative Comparisons Are Bad for You

Negative comparisons whittle down your self-esteem and mental well-being in the following ways:

• It erodes self-confidence: Focusing on the achievements of others might make you feel like you are failing, even when you have been making much progress in your life.

• It creates feelings of jealousy and resentment: Such feelings will make relationships stale and mean that you cannot appreciate the successes of others.

• It distracts you from your goals: The time spent envying others could be utilised to work on yourself to pursue what will mean a great deal to you.

How to Free Yourself

It takes a change in mindset and habits to let go of negative comparisons. Here are some relevant points to get started:

1. Focus on Your Progress

   Instead of comparing yourself with others, compare where you are today to where you were before. Celebrate your growth. Remember, getting better is personal and different for everyone.

2. Practice Gratitude

   Gratitude is a powerful antidote to envy. Carve out time daily to appreciate your health, skills, opportunities, or relationships. This will remind you of the riches within your life.

3. Set Meaningful Goals

   Pay attention to goals that cater to your values and help you be content with what you already possess. Set objectives that reflect what’s important in life and track your progress. This will also help you stay motivated.

4. Limit Exposure to Social Media

   Social media can encourage negative comparisons because it only shows unrealistic perfection. Take breaks or work your feed to reflect on content that inspires and uplifts you, rather than triggering feelings of inadequacy.

5. Recognise Your Strengths

   Spend time reflecting on your unique talents, achievements, and qualities. Write them down or speak them aloud to affirm your worth. If you know your value, there’s little room to lower it through comparison.

6. Celebrate Others Without Diminishing Yourself

   Someone else’s success does not downgrade your potential. Shift your mindset to one of abundance, recognising that there is enough room for everyone to shine. Congratulate other people’s victories and inspirations rather than competition.

A Different Perspective

Your journey is yours alone, full of lessons, trials, and successes. By releasing negative comparisons, you open yourself up to working on what’s more important — personal development and happiness.

Keeping this in mind, you learn to accept yourself more and have better relationships, enjoying the small steps getting you closer to your goals.

Life is not a race, but a journey; so keep your eyes on your lane and find beauty in every step.

8. Let Go of Complaining

Complaining may be one of the most common activities among humans. Though it may feel good at some point, it has long-term consequences for your mental and physical well-being. Science shows that when you complain frequently, your brain learns to expect and focus on the negative. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of dissatisfaction, making it harder to see the good in life.

The Science Behind Complaining and Its Effects

Complaining activates the response, leading to the secretion of cortisol. Cortisol serves an important purpose in small doses, but chronic complaining keeps your stress level high. This opens the door to:

• Weakened immune systems

• Increased inflammation

• Higher risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout

Habitual complaining teaches your brain to reinforce neural pathways associated with negativity. This makes you more likely to notice and dwell on problems, leading to friction, frustration, disappointment, and sorrow.

Complaining can also alienate others. Frequent complaints can make you appear negative or unapproachable and may drive friends and colleagues away. Worse, constant negativity is contagious — spending time with other complainers amplifies the habit by creating an echo chamber of dissatisfaction.

Breaking the Habit

Here are some actionable Steps

1. Practice Gratitude Daily

   Gratitude is the antidote to complaining. By focusing on what you are thankful for, you shift your attention from what is wrong to what is right.

   You may want to try journaling (every evening, write down three things you’re grateful for) and thankfulness pauses (think of one good thing about your current situation before complaining),

2. Reframe Negative Situations

   Always look for the silver lining in a situation. For example, did you miss a bus? Use that time to listen to a favourite podcast. Stressful workday? Recognise the growth you experience from dealing with adversity.

   Reframing teaches the brain to look for opportunities, not obstacles.

3. Avoid Negative People and Chronic Complainers

   Negative vibes are contagious. Hang around people who complain a lot, and you won't be able to help but fall into that same pattern. Instead, seek upbeat, solution-focused people.

   When possible, gently steer discussions with, “What's one good thing to come out of this?” This keeps you and others directed toward solutions rather than problems.

4. Apply a Solution-Oriented Mindset

   Most complaining stems from feeling stuck or powerless. Instead of giving in to frustration, ask yourself: “What can I do to change this?” or “What can I learn from this?”

   You can take back control by taking proactive steps or shifting your mindset.

5. Catch and Replace Complaints

   Awareness is key. Notice when you’re about to complain and replace it with a constructive comment or a moment of silence. Instead of saying, “The weather is awful,” try, “It’s a good day for staying indoors and reading.”

   This conscious effort breaks the cycle and rewires your brain for positivity.

Benefits of Letting Go of Complaints

As you let go, you open yourself to a world of positivity and possibility. You will notice an improved mood and outlook on life, stronger relationships and social connections, better physical health, less stress, and improved problem-solving skills, and in time, a very natural tendency to focus on gratitude and optimism, even when challenges arise.

The Power of Positivity

Letting go of complaining doesn't mean ignoring life’s difficulties. Rather, it involves adjusting how you respond to those challenges. Focusing on solutions and gratitude can help turn negativity into growth and happiness.

Start with small steps — catch one complaint today and change it into something positive. Over time, this habit will reshape your way of thinking and your whole life’s perspective.