How to Honor an Ending & Step Into What’s Next
There are moments in life when we don’t just want change, we feel called to it.
Not in a loud, dramatic way. But in a quieter, deeper way. A knowing that something old has run its course, and something new is asking for space to arrive.
And yet, we often overlook the importance of giving an ending the closure it deserves.
That’s what this week is all about:
Letting Go Isn’t Just Mental… It’s Ceremonial
So often we approach letting go like a checklist item: "Just move on." "Get over it." "Time to start fresh."
But that rarely creates real space. Truly letting go isn’t just mental. It’s emotional. It’s energetic. Sometimes it’s even physical. And when we take the time to honor an ending (really sit with it, acknowledge it, and thank it) that’s when we allow it to loosen its grip.
Because otherwise, part of us can stay tethered to what we’ve outgrown. And those invisible tethers? They can quietly shape what we’re attempting to step into. So how can we really let go?
Three Ways to Gently Honor an Ending:
If you’re feeling that pull to let go, but you're not sure how to actually do that, here are a few simple practices to help you create a sense of closure, intention, and release:
1. Meditation
This can be as simple or sacred as you want it to be. Sit quietly in a calm space. Focus on your breath. Ask your body what it’s holding on to. Let whatever needs to surface come through (an image, a phrase, an emotion). Let it rise without judgment and let your intuition facilitate the process of its release. Whether you’re utilizing a guided or silent meditation, trust that the stillness will speak, because the body remembers what the mind forgets.
2. Fire Ritual
Write a letter to what you’re ready to release. Thank it for the role it played. Acknowledge the chapter it belonged to. Then (in a safe space) burn it. Watch it leave your hands and notice the beauty of the flames. Often mistaken as purely an element of destruction, fire is an element of transformation… it alchemizes, giving shape to the new life you’re ushering in.
3. Burial Ritual
Find a small object that represents what you’re letting go of, or write it down if that feels right. Next, find a peaceful place in nature, and bury it with reverence. This isn’t about hiding something away, it’s about honoring its part in your journey and acknowledging that it ultimately brought you here. You’re not saying it was “bad.” You’re saying it’s complete and that you’re ready for what’s next.
You Don’t Have to See the Full Path
Letting go can come with a subtle whisper… a pull… a quiet knowing that what got you here isn’t what will carry you forward. So if you’re feeling that, trust it. You don’t have to see the whole path in front of you to know it’s time to take the first step.
In fact, when we’re living from a place of truth, the road ahead is often unclear… It's the deeper knowing that gives us the courage to continue moving forward.
As always, sending all my love,
~ Austen 🫶🏼
P.S. There’s a short guided meditation at the end of this week’s episode of Ride Your Tide to support your release if you’d like to experience it. Catch the Guided Meditation Here or Catch the Full Podcast Episode #050 Here.
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