Letting go is one of the hardest things in life. I, myself, consider it to be an almost impossible feat. I remember everything. I forget almost nothing (unless it's a doctor's appointment, let's be real) and sometimes, it affects me in ways I wish it wouldn't. There are some places I go, like out to eat, and I'll see a girl who gave me a dirty look once four years ago and it almost ruins my whole meal.

Let me say for a moment that I am not a hateful person. In fact, I am quite the opposite. I have a huge heart and I love people. I love putting smiles on people's faces and I love helping out. I give everything I have to the most random strangers if I think I can help. I am the kind of girl who prays any time someone asks on social media, and I am always giving "love" reactions on selfies because I know it'll make them smile.

But, I also have been through a lot in the last few years that has somewhat hardened my heart. I have given my all to a lot of people who simply take but do not give. I have been hurt, lied to, abused. I always told myself that I would never allow the cruel mess of the world to make me someone I wasn't, but sadly, that's what it has done.

The best way to explain it is through an image. Picture a traveler - someone who is going on a long, hard journey walking down a paved road. They are carrying one bag with everything they need, and also one giant rock. The rock is so heavy and is wearing the traveler down, making them weak and tired, not wanting to finish the journey. Now, why doesn't the traveler give up the rock? Why doesn't he just set it to the side?

That's the catch. The traveler doesn't know that they can simply set it down and carry on with the journey so much easier. They think that they have to carry the rock to the finish line because they don't know how to let it go. They don't know that it's okay to set themselves free from that unnecessary weight.

I am the traveler. I have gone down the roads of my life and constantly carried this weight with me. I have let it affect nearly everything that I do, and today, I am tired. Today, I am going to set down my rock, and today I am going to move forward on the path, much more light and free than I was before.

Letting go is a feat somewhat similar to the impossible. It's so hard to let go of the pain we hold on to - because it's familiar and our comfort zone. We've never known anything else but holding onto whatever it is we cling to - pain, hurt, anger, sadness. Whatever it is, we think it makes us who we are. But would you like to know a secret?

It does not.

You are not your pain, you are not your past. You are a million open doors and new pages turning. You are the beauty of your dreams. You are your own story, the own author, and you can write the next chapter to be as good or as bad as you want it.

Just let go. Simple as that.