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The Let-Go Ritual: How to Free Yourself from the Past

The Let-Go Ritual: How to Free Yourself from the Past

Welcome to NEXTletter, your personal 121 (One To One) with your future - 1 question, 2 perspectives, 1 experiment.

Frederik Pferdt
December 06, 2024

If you prefer to listen 📻 to this NEXTletter, just click here.

Here are the previous NextLetters 📧 you might want to read if you haven’t already: How Angst Can Shape Your Future, 1-2-1 With Your Future or Are Your Waiting Or Creating.

ONE QUESTION TO REFLECT ON

"What story, idea, or fear am I holding onto that no longer serves me?”

You

The past can feel like a safety net, a place where our identity feels grounded. But holding onto it can weigh us down, keeping us from stepping boldly into what’s next.

It reminds me of an old story about how monkeys are captured in parts of Africa. Hunters drill a hole in a coconut, just big enough for a monkey to slip its hand inside. They place a banana in the hollow shell, tether it to a tree, and wait. When a monkey reaches in and grabs the banana, it forms a fist too big to withdraw from the hole. Despite the trap being avoidable—if only the monkey would let go—it stays stuck, unwilling to release its prize, and loses its freedom as a result.

What’s your banana? What if releasing the past wasn’t about loss but about creating space for something extraordinary?

TWO PERSPECTIVES TO CONSIDER

The Weight of the Past
Our brains are wired to find safety in the known, even if it no longer serves us. Memories, routines, and past accomplishments often create a sense of identity that feels unshakable. However, shaping a better future sometimes requires loosening the grip on these old narratives. When we stop looking backward for validation, we open ourselves to infinite possibilities ahead.

"We sit sometimes for the rest of our lives bracing ourselves for what happens next instead of making what happens best." – Frederik G. Pferdt

The Power of Reinvention
Letting go isn’t forgetting—it’s making space. Imagine you’re carrying a full glass of water. To add something new, you first need to pour out what’s no longer needed. The same applies to our mindstates. By releasing outdated stories, we create room for reinvention. And in that space, our future takes shape.

"The hardest part of creating what’s next isn’t envisioning it—it’s letting go of what was, making space for the future to unfold” – Frederik G.

ONE EXPERIMENT - FOR TODAY, NOT SOME DAY

The “Día del Muerto” Ritual for Your Life

At Google X, we practiced a powerful ritual called “Día del Muerto” to let go of things that no longer served us. Prototypes that didn’t work, business plans that had run their course, or ideas that didn’t pan out—we would write them down, reflect on their journey, and then burn them in a small, celebratory gathering.

This wasn’t an act of destruction—it was an act of transformation. It created space for new ideas, fresh opportunities, and bold experiments. Here’s how you can try it for yourself:

Find a quiet space and set aside 15 minutes.
Identify one thing in your life that no longer serves you—a fear, a limiting belief, or an outdated goal.
Write it down on a piece of paper.
Safely burn it, shred it, or discard it with intention. As you do, celebrate what it taught you and reflect on how it contributed to your growth.
Take a moment to visualize the new space this act has created in your life. Ask yourself: What new possibilities can now take root?

By honoring what was and releasing it with gratitude, you’re making room for what’s next. Letting go isn’t just freeing—it’s invigorating.

Just click on quote

When we let go of the past, we don’t lose—we gain. We create space for the ideas, dreams, and actions that will shape the future we want.

The next chapter of your future begins now.
– With Future Love, Frederik

A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUR QUESTIONS

Have a question for Frederik about innovation, creativity, or how to create a better future?