​Letting go of the past is something that many of us struggle with, myself included. We all have regrets or mistakes that we sometimes wish we could undo. However, the longer we hold on to these memories, the more they weigh us down and prevent us from truly living in the present. For a long time, I found myself caught up in past mistakes, feeling angry or bitter about things I couldn’t change. It’s perfectly normal to feel that way, especially when you’ve been hurt or disappointed. But over time, I’ve realised that holding onto the past, no matter how hard it is, doesn’t help anyone—not you, not the people around you.
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The first step in letting go of the past is recognising that it is okay to feel those negative emotions. We often try to suppress feelings of anger or bitterness, thinking that they’re something to be ashamed of. But those emotions are valid. It's how we process and work through them that matters. I’ve had my moments of being angry about things that happened in the past, times when I felt frustrated with myself or others. But eventually, I came to understand that those feelings, while important, weren’t going to change anything. They were only holding me back.

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned in this process is to view the past as a series of lessons, rather than a series of mistakes. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I’ve tried to focus on what I can learn from those experiences. Every regret or mistake can teach you something valuable, whether it’s about your own resilience, your ability to change, or how you want to live differently in the future. When I shifted my perspective from "this was a failure" to "this was a lesson," it became easier to let go of the past.

It’s also crucial to accept that some things simply can’t be changed. No amount of wishing or ruminating will undo past events. Accepting this fact can be liberating. It frees you from the chains of what-ifs and allows you to focus on what you can control: your present and future.

I’m not saying it’s easy—letting go takes time and effort, and you might have setbacks. Some days, the past may come rushing back, and it’s okay to acknowledge it. But the key is to learn how to let those feelings pass, just like a storm that eventually clears. Life is full of challenges, but if you can move forward with the lessons you’ve learned, you’ll find that you’re stronger and more capable of facing what comes next.

Ultimately, letting go of the past is about taking control of your own happiness and not letting what can’t be changed dictate your life. The more you practice this, the easier it becomes. And with time, you’ll realise that the present moment is all you need to focus on.

​Resilience is something that develops as we experience life and all its challenges, both expected and unexpected. No one is immune to hardships—whether it’s heartbreak, loss, or struggles in day-to-day life. But what makes a difference is how we handle these moments, how we learn to bounce back and grow stronger. Personally, I’ve encountered my share of emotional and physical setbacks, and each one has shaped my ability to cope and persevere.
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Life, by its very nature, will throw challenges at us. It’s often during these times of hardship that we realise just how much strength we have. For example, the experience of heartache—whether from the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one—can feel like an insurmountable mountain. However, over time, I've learned that healing doesn’t happen in a straight line. There are ups and downs, but through these moments, we gain clarity about who we are and what we need to feel whole again.

Resilience isn’t built in moments of ease. It’s crafted in the moments that test us the most. In times of distress, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even to question our ability to get through it. But I’ve realised that each difficult experience has a silver lining—it teaches us something about our limits, our desires, and how much more we’re capable of than we ever imagined.

One of the most powerful lessons I've learned in building resilience is the importance of self-compassion. In the past, I’ve been quick to criticise myself for not bouncing back faster or not handling a situation with more strength. However, I’ve come to understand that resilience isn’t about never feeling weak or vulnerable; it’s about recognising these emotions, sitting with them, and then choosing to move forward.

Another lesson is that resilience often involves leaning on others. It’s easy to believe that we should go through tough times alone, but I’ve found that sharing experiences with friends, family, or even strangers can bring unexpected strength. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles, and seeing others persevere can provide the inspiration we need to keep going.

The most important aspect of building resilience, though, is recognising that the struggles we face are part of life’s natural ebb and flow. We can’t avoid hardship, but we can choose how we respond. Over time, I’ve realised that facing challenges head-on—not running from them—builds the kind of strength that carries us through life’s most difficult moments.