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The concept of letting go of one’s self was examined in this essay. This paper examines various statistics and articles about the issue and how someone can live without their pasts affecting their current life and future and tries to help the readers move on from their past mistakes. 

Shorey, Hal Ph. D., “Letting Go of the Past”,  Psychology Today, 14 April 2023

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-freedom-to-change/202304/letting-go-of-the-past

The article explores the possibility of breaking free from recurring negative emotional patterns by altering one’s perspective on past experiences. Drawing parallels to movies like Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, and Russian Doll, it suggests that individuals often find themselves trapped in repetitive emotional cycles rooted in past traumas and negative self-narratives. To address this, the author introduces techniques such as cognitive reprocessing and narrative therapy, emphasizing the power of changing one’s narrative to create a happier future. The intended audience appears to be a general readership seeking strategies for personal growth and emotional well-being, with the article’s accessible language and relatable examples enhancing its appeal. While the material offers valuable insights and practical advice, it may overlook systemic or external factors contributing to emotional distress and might not universally apply to all individuals. Nevertheless, its incorporation of personal experiences and pop culture references adds authenticity and relatability to the content, enhancing its overall impact.

Ratliff, Jamie, “To Anyone Who Struggles With “Letting Go”, Medium, 15 Nov. 2016

https://medium.com/personal-growth/to-anyone-who-struggles-with-letting-go-ed5bf12fb  1e6

The author shares a personal reflection on the concept of letting go, inspired by a photograph and a quote. They acknowledge their initial struggle with understanding and practicing letting go, attributing it to their analytical nature. Drawing on their experiences, they connect the act of letting go to tangible actions, such as releasing the handlebars while riding a bike or dropping a hot pan. The article emphasizes that letting go involves a conscious choice to release doubt, worry, and fear, creating space for new beginnings. The author provides five practical steps they have found helpful in their journey of letting go: mind control, expressing emotions, acceptance, forgiveness, and staying present. They underscore the importance of seeking therapy and self-reflection for healing and growth. The article concludes with a message of self-compassion and embracing the present moment. Overall, it offers relatable insights and actionable steps for readers grappling with the challenges of letting go.

“How to Let Go of the Past: Tips for Relationships, Regret, and Trauma.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 Jan. 2024. 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-let-go-of-the-past

The article provides a comprehensive guide on how to let go of past traumas, regrets, and negative experiences. It begins by addressing the psychological factors that make it difficult to move on, such as trauma, rumination, and the desire for control. Offering practical advice, it suggests steps like making a commitment to let go, acknowledging and processing emotions, practicing mindfulness, fostering self-compassion, and seeking therapy. Moreover, it delves into specific challenges like letting go of past relationships, resentment, and the need for control, offering tailored strategies for each. While the material is highly practical and informative, it might oversimplify the complexities of individual experiences and could benefit from further exploration of forgiveness and the role of social support. Overall, it presents valuable insights and actionable steps for individuals seeking to improve their mental well-being by letting go of the past.

Google Trends, Google, trends.google.com/trends. Accessed 20 May 2024. 

https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=how%20to%20let%20go%20of%20the%20past&hl=en

Using the Google Trends search button, it allows users to search for popular keywords or terms. Doing this shows the number of times the word has been used and the popularity of searched terms in the Google Search engine. In this case, when the keyword “how to let go of the past” was searched, it showed a line graph that displayed an increase in the term searched over the decade.

Ade Aprilia, “88 Things to Let Go of to Be Happy (so You Don’t Need to Always Wait for Summer Vacation!).” Ade Aprilia, 10 Aug. 2020

adeaprilia.com/things-to-let-go-of-to-be-happy

The article “88 Things To Let Go of To Be Happy” aims to guide readers toward achieving personal fulfillment and happiness by letting go of negative habits and thought patterns. It begins with a relatable anecdote about the author’s realization of the importance of personal freedom and happiness, challenging societal norms that equate hard work with success. Offering a list of 88 things to let go of, ranging from negative self-talk to unhealthy relationships, the article provides actionable steps for readers to cultivate happiness in their lives. While the material is accessible and practical, it could benefit from additional empirical evidence to support the effectiveness of the suggested strategies. Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for a general audience interested in personal development and self-improvement, providing insights into the journey towards embracing happiness in the present moment.

“What Makes Memories Stronger?” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 29 Apr. 2019, 

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190429111840.htm

The article from NeuroElectronics Research Flanders (NERF) explores the correlation between highly demanding and rewarding experiences and stronger memories, shedding light on memory consolidation mechanisms in the brain. Led by Prof. Fabian Kloosterman, the team investigated how replay processes in the hippocampus contribute to memory enhancement, particularly in response to rewarding tasks. By training rats to navigate to different reward locations, the researchers found that memory recall was significantly better for locations offering larger rewards, especially when the tasks were more challenging. Disrupting replay activity after learning impaired memory specifically for highly rewarded and challenging tasks, highlighting the role of hippocampal replay in memory consolidation. The study’s findings offer insights into the complex interplay between reward, memory, and task difficulty, with potential implications for understanding memory disorders like dementia and informing future treatments. The article provides accessible insights into memory processes, showcasing the relevance of animal research in advancing our understanding of memory formation and retention.

Costanzi, Marco, et al. “Forgetting unwanted memories: Active forgetting and implications for the development of Psychological Disorders.” Journal of Personalized Medicine, vol. 11, no. 4, 26 Mar. 2021, p. 241

https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11040241

The article serves to explore the intricate relationship between inhibitory control mechanisms and active forgetting in various psychopathologies, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, and OCD. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, the authors delve into the neurobiological underpinnings of memory suppression deficits, particularly focusing on neurotransmitter systems such as glutamatergic and GABAergic transmissions in the prefrontal cortex. They also examine the role of cortisol release induced by stress and its impact on inhibitory control mechanisms, alongside discussions on dopamine and cholinergic systems. Intended for researchers, clinicians, and scholars in neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry, the review offers a detailed synthesis of evidence from multiple studies, shedding light on both cognitive and neural processes involved in memory suppression and their relevance to psychopathological symptoms. While the material provides a comprehensive overview of the topic and offers insights into clinical implications and future research directions, potential limitations include sample size constraints, ecological validity issues with stimuli, and medication effects on inhibitory mechanisms, suggesting a need for cautious interpretation of the findings. Additionally, the review may have a bias towards neurobiological explanations, potentially overlooking other contributing factors to memory suppression deficits.

I had trouble letting go of the past for many years. Past mistakes, decisions, and consequences haunted me everywhere I went. However, with the prevalence of social media, I was able to find many informative “reels” and “tiktoks” that helped my rumination. With this, I went on a trip down the rabbit hole, trying to come up with an answer of my own. Now, I aim to share some information I have gathered over the past few years with you, so we can all let go of our pasts and live a fruitful life. 

Just like me, many people in this contemporary world have trouble letting go. How do I know this? This is shown evidently through the Google search trend; an increasing amount of searches with the keyword “how to let go of the past” has been happening since 2010 to present. A quick visit to viral videos on social media shows that the main demographic consuming these contents are young adolescents in their 20s. 

So my question to you is, how do you exactly let go of the past? In order to figure this out, we need to systematically determine the term “letting go”. However, this is extremely difficult to do since it is a subjective experience that varies from person to person. For me, “letting go” means not letting your past mistakes define who you are today. I asked the same question to my brother, and he gave me a different answer. He replied with “not letting any negative intrusive thoughts define my actions”. Like this, your answer might be different as well. Regardless, there might be some basic ideas that connect us all. 

As you might know, the exploration of personal development and emotional well-being, and the concept of “letting go” holds significance across various aspects of life, including relationships, self-perception, and overall mental health. In various articles I found, the authors seem to delve into their thematic exploration of releasing emotional burdens. By examining their narrative conventions, rhetorical appeals, and overall coherence, I aim to clarify the strategies employed by each author, utilizing both logos and pathos. Specifically, I will analyze the utilization of personal anecdotes, psychological insights, and practical techniques to minimize the complexities of the “letting go” process, making it much easier for you to understand. In the end, I hope this article will resonate with you within the realms of personal growth and well-being.

In the first article, “Transforming Emotional Memories: Unlocking the Path to Liberation,” by Hal Shorey Ph.D., Hal explores the process of releasing past emotional burdens through cognitive reprocessing and narrative therapy techniques. He does this by using relatable scenarios and references to popular films to illustrate common experiences of feeling trapped in repetitive patterns. Some movies include “Groundhog Day”, “Edge of Tomorrow”, and “Russian Doll”. You might have seen these before, but if you haven’t, I’ll give you a quick summary in one sentence: They live the same day over and over again. For example, in the article, Hal stated, “Do you ever feel that you’re stuck in a movie like Groundhog Day, where you just keep reliving the same experience over and over?” This comparison allows us to make the concept relatable but also emphasizes the struggle of letting go. We all know we would not want to live the same day over and over again. On top of his references to some popular films, Hal draws on his expertise in psychology by providing us with some practical steps for changing emotional memories supported by evidence and structured language. He first opens up by sharing a personal anecdote, revealing, “I did a great deal of inner-child work on my past and have practiced running happier scenarios through my mind.” Hal backs up his way of dealing with letting go of the past by referencing evidence, stating, “Freund et al. (2023) found that emotional memory can be changed…” His idea of dealing with the past sounds pretty intuitive and straightforward if you think about it. Change how you view memories, and you will soon associate negative emotions with positive ones. For example, in the movie listed above “Groundhog Day”, the main character of the movie was only able to change his outcome by changing the way he viewed his current situation.  

Now let’s look at some more personal anecdotes. This time, it is from an article named, “88 things to let go to be happy” by Ade Aprilla. In this article, Ade goes on to make a list of mindful techniques she has adopted to let go of the past and live her own life. Although the credibility of this source only extends to certain people since this is a personal success story, it should at least be attempted. Some techniques seem very valuable, such as letting go of unrealistic expectations and self-doubting behaviors. She then supports her arguments by including quotes from renowned spiritual leaders and teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, who is one of contemporary’s most famous philosophers. She inserts a direct quote from him that says “The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive”. I believe that this quote is extremely powerful. It emphasizes the power of our brain and conveys that it has the power to enhance or destroy us. So if we are constantly using our brains anyway, why not use them for all the right reasons?

In the article I found, “Embracing Fresh Beginnings: The Strength of Letting Go,” by Jaimee Ratliff, the author adopts a more intimate and introspective approach to exploring the concept of letting go. She shares her anecdote when she says, “A few weeks ago I snapped that photo above, outside of my sister’s house, and shared it on social media. I captioned it with this quote: ‘The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go.'” As we can see, we are actively making a choice when we let things go. Just like the tree, a seemingly beautiful memory at one point in time can turn into a malicious one that haunts us in our present life. So, the best option is for us to let go. Jaimee also goes on to say “But the kind of letting go that involves a conscious choice versus a physical action, can be extremely challenging and scary. It can also be painful as hell if it’s not something you’re ready to do: especially if your heart and mind are singing two different songs” This saying deeply resonates with me as letting go of something in the past might be difficult, but we must take decisive action to do so. Just like Eckhart Tolle said in the previous article, we can use our beautiful minds to engage in so many wonderful activities. Holding onto our past is an extremely harmful behavior so why do we keep on engaging in it?

One of the reasons why holding on to the past is so harmful is due to our human nature. We as a species are so prone to self-criticize and dwell on past events. This prevents us from taking decisive actions in the future in fear of what happened in the past. This can be related to past relationships, failures, and regrets. However, in the article, “How to let go of the past”, by Jayne Leonard, shows us how important it is to let go of memories. She writes “Feelings of unresolved anger, betrayal, and resentment are common among those who struggle to let go of a past event”. This shows that nothing positive comes out from rumination about the past, and if we just let go of our anger and resentment towards whatever we are disturbed with, it would bring peace of mind. Jayne goes on to say that “If letting go of the past is proving challenging and negative thoughts and emotions persist for weeks or months, people can consider seeing a therapist.” I totally agree with her in this statement. While I have no personal experiences with therapy, I have encountered numerous stories about my friends who benefitted from therapy, proclaiming that it had improved the quality of their lives significantly. 

Apart from personal anecdotes and interpretations, I want to talk about some scientific backgrounds of the phenomenon as well. As shown in the research article, “What makes memories stronger”, it is shown that humans engage in selective memory processes where we remember events that have more significance better compared to others. The research states that “When we experience something important, we usually remember it better over time. This enhanced memory can be the result of stronger memory encoding during the experience, or because of memory consolidation that takes place after the experience.” This might be the reasoning behind why we sometimes struggle to let go of the past; some particular memories might be more ingrained into our brains, specifically in the hippocampus. So in essence, we are biologically driven to remember certain memories even though it might enable unnecessary rumination and negative feelings. However, this process can also be reversed as shown in the next article. 

In another research article “Forgetting Unwanted Memories” by Marco Costanzi et al, they explain the process behind actively suppressing unwanted memories. They state that “Intrusive memories are a common feature of many psychopathologies, and suppression-induced forgetting of unwanted memories appears as a critical ability to preserve mental health.” It is pretty obvious, but it is alarming that constantly thinking about the past and not being able to let go is linked to various mental disorders such as depression and PTSD. All hope is not lost though, as there are ways in stopping rumination that have proven to have a biological explanation behind it. The article states that “In intentional forgetting, an inhibitory control mechanism suppresses awareness of unwanted memories at encoding or retrieval”. Okay. So you’re telling me to not think about the past, I just don’t think about the past? That is correct. There have been so many instances where I am so harshly critical about past mistakes I make when I can actively make the decision to not think about it. I understand that it might be difficult to engage in intentional forgetting, but I urge you, the next time you make a mistake, do not put much thought into it. 

As you can see, all the authors and research articles converge on a single point: The process of letting go as a means of achieving personal growth and emotional well-being. I don’t know about you, but reading these has empowered me to initiate my journey of emotional healing and transformation of my own mental health. Now I want to provide you with my own anecdote. Throughout my life, there have been so many opportunities I have missed out on due to the fear of “what if it happens again”. Whether it was in sports, my personal YouTube channel, or my academic achievements, I realized the toxic cycle I would constantly put my mind in. What I have learned throughout my life again and again is this: letting go of the past is a key aspect of having a successful future. 

On that note, I would like to end my paper with one of my favorite quotes from the movie Kung Fu Panda. The quote by Master Oogway in the movie reads, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Like this quote, I hope everyone can let go of past grievances and live life to the fullest potential, as life is the biggest blessing to mankind.

What is your research question/rhetorical situation?

My research rhetorical question is the concept of “letting go” of your past self

What is your connection to rhetorical situation and why are you uniquely placed to write about it

Ever since I was young I had trouble letting go of past mistakes and kept letting it hurt my life. Recently, I have learned how to let go of my past self and wanted to expand my knowledge on it while also influencing others to help them let go of their past selves.

Where do you imagine your writing “existing”? (newspaper, magazine, YouTube, personal blog)

I imagine my writing existing on platforms such as YouTube because recently, self-help videos have been an increasing trend among content that is pushed out by YouTube and my rhetorical situation fits that category.

Who is your target audience?

My target audience is everyone, but to narrow it down, mostly teens in their 20s as that is when most teenagers learn more about themselves and experience the “real world” and I think it’s essential to learn how to let go of your past self before taking on important responsibilities.

What form will your writing take? (Research paper, narrative, letter, script.)

The form my writing will take is a letter.

Why is this form the most effective way to communicate to your target audience?

I feel that this form with be the most effective way to communicate with the target audience because the rhetorical situation of my paper is personal so it will need a more personal touch for the writing to resonate with the audience.

What is the value you’re trying to impart on your audience?

The value I’m trying to impart to the audience is to help them learn how to let go of their past mistakes and live life without their past mistakes affecting them in a negative way.

In the exploration of personal development and emotional well-being, the concept of “letting go” holds significance across various aspects of life, including relationships, self-perception, and overall mental health. This essay undertakes a comparative analysis of two articles, namely “To Anyone Who Struggles With ‘Letting Go'” by Jaimee Ratliff and “Letting Go of the Past” by Hal Shorey Ph.D., delving into their thematic exploration of releasing emotional burdens. By examining their narrative conventions, rhetorical appeals, and overall coherence, we aim to clarify the strategies employed by each author, utilizing both logos and pathos. Specifically, we will analyze the utilization of personal anecdotes, psychological insights, and practical techniques to engage readers and convey the complexities of the “letting go” process. Through this examination, we seek to understand how these strategies impact reader comprehension and resonate within the realm of personal growth and well-being.

In the first article, titled “Transforming Emotional Memories: Unlocking the Path to Liberation,” by Hal Shorey Ph.D., Hal explores the process of releasing past emotional burdens through cognitive reprocessing and narrative therapy techniques. Shorey uses relatable scenarios and references to popular films to illustrate common experiences of feeling trapped in repetitive patterns. Drawing on his expertise in psychology, Shorey provides practical steps for changing emotional memories, supported by evidence and clear, structured language. Shorey emphasizes the similarity of feeling trapped in repetitive patterns by drawing parallels with popular films such as “Groundhog Day”, “Edge of Tomorrow”, and “Russian Doll”. He captures these feelings by stating, “Do you ever feel that you’re stuck in a movie like Groundhog Day, where you just keep reliving the same experience over and over?” This comparison not only engages readers by making the concept relatable but also emphasizes the struggle of letting go. To establish his expertise in psychology, Shorey shares a personal anecdote, revealing, “I did a great deal of inner-child work on my past and have practiced running happier scenarios through my mind.” This not only lends credibility to his advice and techniques but also underscores his knowledge in the topic. Shorey further exemplifies his credibility by referencing evidence, stating, “Freund et al. (2023) found that emotional memory can be changed…” This appeal to logos not only validates the effectiveness of cognitive reprocessing in altering emotional memories but also provides readers with evidence to support his claims. Furthermore, Shorey utilizes clear and structured language to outline the step-by-step process of changing emotional memories, stating, “Here are ways that you can become consciously aware of the story you are telling yourself and create a new one that works better for you.” Each technique is stated in detail, providing readers with practical insights into how they can implement these strategies in their own lives. By breaking down complex psychological concepts into digestible information and supporting his arguments with both personal experience and empirical research, Shorey enhances the article’s appeal to readers seeking logical solutions to their emotional challenges.

In contrast, the second article, “Embracing Fresh Beginnings: The Strength of Letting Go,” by Jaimee Ratliff, adopts a more intimate and introspective approach to exploring the concept of letting go. Jaimee immediately establishes an emotional connection with readers by starting with a personal anecdote and a reflective quote about letting go. She shares, “A few weeks ago I snapped that photo above, outside of my sister’s house, and shared it on social media. I captioned it with this quote: ‘The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go.'” This opening sets a friendly tone and invites readers into Jaimee’s emotional journey of growth and self-discovery. Throughout the piece, the tone remains conversational and empathetic, as Jaimee shares vulnerable moments and reflections from their own life. This approach shows empathy and resonance with readers’ own experiences, encouraging them to reflect on their emotional struggles and find peace in Jaimee’s portrayal of their challenges and victories. Moreover, Jaimee’s use of emotional language and vivid imagery further amplifies the article’s impact. Descriptive phrases such as “the trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go” exemplify powerful emotions and sensory experiences, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in Jaimee’s narrative. By painting vivid scenes and tapping into universal emotions such as longing, regret, and hope, Jaimee creates a deeply resonant and emotionally charged reading experience. For instance, they describe the act of letting go as “releasing all doubt, worry, and fear about a situation, person, or outcome,” which captures the emotional weight of the process. This emotional resonance not only engages readers on a personal level but also encourages them to embrace their journey of letting go.

Despite their divergent approaches, both articles converge on several key points. They both advocate for the process of letting go as a means of achieving personal growth and emotional well-being. Moreover, they employ personal anecdotes and relatable scenarios to illustrate the challenges and possibilities of letting go. Additionally, both articles provide practical steps or techniques for readers to implement in their own lives, empowering them to initiate their journey of emotional healing and transformation.

However, their distinct narrative styles and rhetorical strategies appeal to different audiences and preferences. The first article primarily appeals to logos, relying on logic and reason to persuade readers. It presents structured arguments and evidence-based strategies, accompanied by professional expertise and psychological research. In contrast, the second article appeals primarily to pathos, tapping into readers’ emotions and personal experiences. Through personal anecdotes, emotional language, and descriptive imagery, it evokes a range of powerful emotions, creating empathy and resonance with readers’ struggles and triumphs.

In conclusion, both articles contribute valuable perspectives to the discourse on letting go and personal growth. Through their narrative conventions and rhetorical appeals, they offer guidance and insights for readers seeking to navigate the complexities of emotional healing and create a brighter future. With further exploration and understanding of these articles, readers can gain valuable tools and perspectives to help their journey of letting go and embracing new beginnings.