TheArtofDetachment

ByChrisLee

Have you ever agonized over a love interest that ghosted you? Do you lament getting older or adapting to an unexpected lifestyle change? Have you ever spent time worrying about situations that you have no control over?

The peace and freedom that you seek can be found in detachment. Many people misinterpret detachment as breaking away or pulling away from something. However, true detachment is non-attachment. Nonattachment is when we let go of our perception of how we think things should be.

The emotions that prevent us from experiencing peace of mind or that keep us “weighed down” are emotions like fear, resentment, worry, shame and guilt. As humans, we can expect to experience a wide range of feelings and emotions. Attachment, however, keeps us “stuck” emotionally. Detachment allows us to enjoy a more fulfilling life.

Another word for attachment, in this context, is expectation. Unmet expectations can be very disappointing. We often have expectations of how we want things to be - in our romantic relationships, families, friendships, careers and even the world around us. When people or situations don’t live up to what we were expecting, it is the attachment that takes away our emotional freedom and peace of mind. We free ourselves by not being attached to the outcome. But how?

Here are 4 ways to practice detachment:

Meditate

Meditation allows us to be the observer of our thoughts. During meditation, allow your thoughts to “just be” without judging. This is a letting go of sorts.

Analyze Your Thoughts

When you slide into attachment-based thinking, pay attention to your self-talk. What’s the story in your head? You get to re-write that story with better-feeling thoughts.

Embrace the Unknown

When nothing is certain, everything is possible. Re-frame those worst-case scenarios with all the possibilities of what could go right.

Be Present

Experience the present moment without dwelling on the past or speculating about the future. There is joy to be had when we quiet our inner dialogue.