Resolve: The Inner Work of Healing

Resolve: The Inner Work of Healing

What is resolve? It’s the act of coming to terms with yourself—a deep, inner acceptance that brings peace. It’s not about brushing aside your pain or pretending it doesn’t exist. Resolve isn’t surrendering to despair or passively waiting for time to heal your wounds.

Resolve is the courage to detach—not from life itself, but from the people, stories, and emotions that weigh you down.

Finding resolve is not easy. It requires deep, inner work. Often, we look to others for closure—an apology, an explanation, or the chance to say goodbye. But life doesn’t always offer these moments. Sometimes, we’re left without the answers we think we need to move forward.

I recently watched a video where a woman said, “Sometimes their actions are the closure.” This simple truth resonated deeply. Closure isn’t something anyone else can give us. The peace we seek doesn’t come from external sources—it comes from within. You are your own healer.

Letting Go Like Falling Leaves

Finding resolve is like the season of Fall. Trees shed their leaves not as an ending, but as preparation for new growth. Similarly, we too must let go—of people, old habits, unresolved pain, or whatever tension we carry. Shedding these burdens, both physically and emotionally, clears space for renewal, just as Fall makes way for the blossoms of Spring.

Yoga Isn’t About Flexibility—It’s About Growth

Many people think yoga is just about being flexible, but it’s so much more. Yoga isn’t about touching your toes—it’s about what you discover on the way down. It’s about cultivating awareness, meeting your edge, and learning to breathe through discomfort—both on the mat and in life.

Yoga, with its roots in self-discovery and self-realization, offers powerful tools to help us release, reflect, and reconnect with our inner strength:

  1. Acceptance Through Breathwork: Conscious breathing teaches us to let go of tension and ground ourselves in the present. Each exhale becomes an act of release, mirroring the act of letting go in life.

  2. Strength in Challenge: Yoga builds resilience, mirroring the emotional strength we need to face life’s uncertainties and find clarity.

  3. Healing Through Movement and Music: Flowing with breath, movement, and music turns yoga into a moving meditation. A thoughtfully curated playlist can transform physical practice into an emotional journey, helping us connect with and release what’s been buried.

  4. Clarity Through Stillness: Meditation allows us to sit with our emotions and uncover truths we might otherwise avoid. This clarity forms the foundation of resolve.

The Playlist: Music for Letting Go

I created a playlist tied to themes of Autumn and letting go with songs that explore loss, resilience, and renewal. Use this playlist to guide you in releasing what no longer serves you:

🎵 "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by Sara Niemietz (cover) – A soulful reminder that everything has its season.
🎵 "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas – Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the strength in acceptance.
🎵 "Seasons" by Bebe Rexha & Dolly Parton – Change is inevitable, but your soul stays constant.
🎵 "People You Know" by Selena Gomez – A reflection on how people shift from being important to becoming strangers.
🎵 "All Good Things (Come to an End)" by Nelly Furtado – A reminder of the impermanence of life and love.
🎵 "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift – A cathartic expression of anger and release.
🎵 "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye ft. Kimbra – A raw confession of bruised ego and wounded pride, capturing the heartbreak of going from lovers to strangers.
🎵 "I Am My Own Guru" by Coax Marie – A bold anthem of self-reliance and empowerment. You are your own teacher.
🎵 "Healing" by Fletcher – A gentle reminder that healing takes time and patience.
🎵 "Slide Away" by Miley Cyrus – Letting go of comfort and codependence in exchange for true freedom.
🎵 "Frozen on Fire" by Madonna and Sickick – A haunting reflection on the barriers we create when our hearts are closed, and the transformative power of love to heal and set us free.
🎵 "Bored" by Billie Eilish – A candid exploration of the discomfort in stillness and introspection, highlighting the struggle to break free from addictive patterns.
🎵 "I Knew You Were Trouble" (cover) by Sabrina Carpenter – A powerful reminder that accountability is key. Healing begins with owning your mistakes and recognizing the need for change.
🎵 "Twice" by Christina Aguilera – A song about living without regret and embracing life’s lessons.
🎵 "Waiting (Reprise)" by George Michael – A poignant reflection on letting go while holding onto hope that people can change and paths may cross again.
🎵 "Praying" by Kesha – A powerful anthem of resilience and rising above.
🎵 "I Am (Stripped)" by Christina Aguilera – A declaration of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Listen to the full playlist here. Use it to transform your yoga practice, workout, or even daily tasks into a moving meditation.

The Work of Healing: You Are Worth It

Healing is hard work, but you are worth the effort. Each deep breath and each moment of reflection brings you one step closer. It’s a journey that requires courage and self-compassion. It asks you to bring everything to the surface—the insecurities, the pain, the anger— But, on the other side of the work lies the peace and freedom you deserve.

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Returning to My Roots at Portland’s Hot Movement Studio