Surely each of us has heard that before something new comes, something old must go. And sometimes this “old” thing poisons our lives, and we, not realizing it, hold on to it with a death grip. And what a blissful relief we feel if we finally decide to let it go. Life changes, we change, the world around us changes!

We have prepared a list of 13 things you should get rid of. It’s proven — life begins to take on new colors!

1. **Free yourself from the need to always prove you’re right.** There are so many among us who, even under the threat of breaking wonderful relationships, causing pain, and creating stress, cannot accept and acknowledge another point of view. It’s not worth it.

2. **Let go of control.** Be ready to give up the need to constantly control everything that happens to you — situations, events, people, etc. Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or strangers on the street — just allow them to be who they are.

3. **Release guilt.** Free yourself from the need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop wasting your energy and take full responsibility for your life.

4. **Stop negative self-talk.** So many people harm themselves simply because they allow negative thoughts and emotions to control their lives. Don’t trust everything your logical and reasonable mind tells you. You are better and capable of more than you think.

5. **Free yourself from the constant need to complain** about many things — people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad, and depressed. No one can make you unhappy, no situation can upset you. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you.

6. **Give up criticism.** Stop criticizing people who are different from you and events that do not meet your expectations. We are all different.

7. **Release the need to impress others.** Stop pretending and being someone you’re not. Take off the mask, accept and love your true self.

8. **Stop resisting change.** Change is normal; it is necessary for us to move from point A to point B. Change helps to improve both our lives and the lives of those around us.

9. **Stop labeling.** Stop labeling people and events you don’t know or understand. Gradually open your mind to new things.

10. **Let go of the past.** We know it’s hard. Especially when the past is more pleasant than the present and the future is somewhat frightening. But you need to accept that the present is all you have.

11. **Release fears.** Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist — you created it. It’s all in your mind. Change your internal attitude, and the external will fall into place.

12. **Stop making excuses.** Expose excuses and send them into retirement. Most often, we limit ourselves because of numerous excuses.

13. **Stop living by other people’s expectations.** Too many people live a life that doesn’t belong to them, just to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, doing what their parents, friends, teachers, government, and society expect from them. They ignore their inner voice, inner calling. They are so busy fulfilling others’ expectations that they lose control of their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they really want… and eventually, they forget about themselves.

You have one life. It is happening right here and now. Live it the way you want, listen to your inner voice, and don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path!