Day 10 of 100 days of hope

The Hope Found in Letting Go

I love Fall. The crisp mornings, the leaves turning color, the golden light stretching across the day. There’s something about this season that feels like a quiet invitation. An invitation to slow down, to breathe, and most of all—to let go.

When I watch the trees, I notice that they don’t cling to their leaves. They don’t resist the shift that’s coming. Instead, they release—trusting that the cycle of life will bring something new in time. And it makes me wonder: what if we could do the same?

Letting go doesn’t mean breaking apart. It means making space. It means opening ourselves to transformation. And that gives me hope.

This season, I am choosing to let go of:

• Self-criticism

• Judgment

• Perfectionism

• Doing it the “right” way

• Trying too hard to fit in

• Trying to be enough

• Proving myself worthy

• Being too busy to feel my emotions

The Taoists talk about dispensing—emptying what has filled us up so far so we can be filled with what we truly desire. That picture resonates with me deeply. Because the truth is, many of us carry things far longer than we were meant to. Old stories. Heavy expectations. Habits that once served us, but no longer do.

When we release them, something new becomes possible. We can see differently. We can feel differently. We can choose differently.

For me, that looks like choosing peace instead of perfectionism. Connection instead of busyness. Worthiness instead of proving. And presence instead of numbing.

So I ask you: what would you like to let go of this Fall? And what might open up for you if you did?

There is great hope in letting go. Because when we release, we create space for joy, love, and new beginnings.

Much love,
Julie Burningham

P.S. If this message resonates with you and you’re ready to let go of what’s weighing you down, I’d love to support you. Join my Shine Bright community [link to your signup page] and let’s walk this journey together. You don’t have to do it alone.