Shining Bright Through Release

When I Learned My Light Shines Through Release

For a long time, I thought holding on was strength.

I held onto old roles, expectations, versions of myself I had outgrown, and pain that felt familiar—even when it weighed me down. Somewhere along the way, I learned that survival meant staying strong, staying quiet, staying busy. I didn’t realize how much I was carrying until I finally paused long enough to feel it.

Journaling became that pause.

When I began writing honestly—not to fix myself, but to understand myself—I started to see a pattern. The moments I felt most disconnected weren’t because I was broken. They were because I was holding onto things that no longer belonged to who I was becoming.

Release didn’t come all at once.

It came slowly. Gently. One truth at a time.

And with every release, something unexpected happened—my light felt clearer. Not louder. Just truer.

I wasn’t losing parts of myself.

I was returning to myself.

If you’re reading this and you’re in a season of letting go, I want you to know this: release is not failure. It’s wisdom. It’s choosing to trust that what’s meant for you will meet you without force.

Below are the journaling exercises I return to whenever I feel heavy, stuck, or unsure. Take them at your own pace. This is not about perfection—it’s about permission.

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Journaling Exercise: Releasing to Reclaim Your Light

Before you begin, take a slow breath. Remind yourself: This space is safe.

1. What I’ve Been Carrying

I start by telling the truth—without judgment.

• What feels heavy in my life right now?

• What am I holding onto out of habit, fear, or obligation?

• What part of me is tired of carrying this?

✍️ Reflection:

I remind myself that holding on once served a purpose. I honor the version of me that did what she needed to survive.

2. What Release Means to Me

Release looks different for everyone.

• What does “letting go” feel like in my body?

• What am I afraid will happen if I release this?

• What might become possible if I do?

✍️ Affirmation:

I am allowed to release what no longer aligns with who I am becoming.

3. How My Light Shows Up

This is where I reconnect.

• When do I feel most like myself?

• What qualities come naturally to me when I feel at peace?

• How does my light show up in my relationships, my work, or my creativity?

✍️ Reflection:

My light doesn’t need to be forced—it shows up when I’m aligned.

4. One Gentle Act of Release

I keep this simple and intentional.

• One thing I am ready to loosen my grip on is…

• One boundary, thought, or belief I can soften is…

• One way I can create space for myself this week is…

✍️ Reminder:

Release doesn’t have to be dramatic. Small shifts create meaningful change.

Take a moment to pause…

I place my hand over my heart and write:

I trust myself to let go.

I trust myself to grow.

My light shines brightest when I make space for who I truly am.

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If this reflection stirred something in you, stay with it. Write a little more. Breathe a little deeper. You are not behind—you are unfolding.

Release is not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of living it more honestly.

With light and intentions,

Rose Marie