How often do you find yourself tied to expectations that don’t feel like your own? Expectations about who you should be, how your life should unfold, or even how you’re meant to heal?
How much of your energy goes toward holding onto things that no longer serve you? Maybe it’s a belief you inherited, a relationship that no longer uplifts you, or even the way you speak to yourself when you stumble.
For so long, I thought release was a sign of failure or giving up. But I’ve come to understand it as something far more powerful. Release is freedom. It’s a conscious act of stepping back, not to abandon, but to create space for clarity, alignment, and self-respect.
When I choose to release, I honor my boundaries.
For me, boundaries are not about keeping others at a distance. They are about expressing my needs, feelings, and desires with honesty and care, regardless of how others respond. Boundaries aren’t walls—they are bridges to the life I want to live. Release might mean letting go of the harsh, critical language I once used with myself after a mistake and choosing words of compassion instead. It might mean stepping back from relationships or dynamics that no longer reflect the values I hold—or the ones I’m striving to live by.
Release is never about erasing the past; it’s about trusting myself to make choices that align with my truth, right here, right now.
And here’s the connection to today’s affirmation: release creates space to redefine. Success, healing, intimacy, connection, you name it—each word has been shaped for us by the world around us. I used to feel trapped by the weight of those definitions, wondering why my path didn’t look like theirs. But here’s what I’ve learned: my outcomes don’t have to align with anyone else’s understanding. My version of success might not be about climbing corporate ladders. My version of healing doesn’t have to fit into a timeline set by a doctor or a checklist crafted by someone else. And connection, for me, might look entirely different from what my partner or a friend envisions.
I give myself permission to define what these outcomes look like for me—and to achieve them in ways that are uniquely mine. Sometimes messy, non-linear, and entirely unconventional, but no less valid.
Intention: Release
Definition
Release is the act of freeing yourself from thoughts, emotions, attachments, or habits that no longer align with your present self. It involves recognizing what weighs you down and consciously choosing to unburden yourself. This can manifest in physical actions, emotional processing, or mental shifts, paving the way for renewed energy and clarity. Release is not about erasing the past but about embracing freedom from its constraints.
In Buddhist teachings, release aligns with the concept of vossagga, often translated as relinquishment or letting go. This is a key practice in cultivating non-attachment (anupādāna), a central theme in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. It involves abandoning cravings and clinging, which are sources of suffering (dukkha), and fostering a state of inner liberation. The Dhammapada suggests that true release arises when one relinquishes desires and mental fixations, allowing space for equanimity and insight.
Inspiration to Achieve the Intention
Practice Rituals of Symbolic Release
Engage in a tangible act of letting go, such as writing down what you wish to release and burning or shredding it. This physical action can make the abstract process of release feel more concrete, symbolizing a clear boundary between the past and present.
Explore Somatic Movement
Through practices like shaking or dynamic stretching, allow your body to physically release pent-up tension. This somatic approach works by tapping into the body’s innate wisdom to reset and process stored emotions.
Journaling Prompt
What am I holding onto that no longer serves my well-being, and how would my life transform if I let it go?
Hint: Focus on areas in your life where you feel resistance or heaviness. Reflect on why you hold on—whether out of fear, habit, or unresolved emotion—and consider one small step to shift your relationship with this attachment.
Affirmation: I Can Define What I Mean
I am the author of my understanding, untethered from definitions that do not resonate with my truth. The meaning I give to success, healing, or any aspect of my existence reflects the unique landscape of my inner canyon. I honor the wisdom of my experiences and the clarity that emerges from my own exploration. In defining what these concepts mean to me, I release the weight of societal expectations rooted in systems that do not serve me. I reclaim my right to shape my life with authenticity and intention.
The boundaries of my meaning-making are drawn with compassion and care, allowing me to illuminate my path without the need for validation from external voices. Like a traveler navigating the intricate trails of their canyon, I discern what aligns with my values and release what doesn’t. Each step forward deepens my connection to the truths I hold, the space I inhabit, and the courage I embody.
Through this affirmation, I affirm my freedom to define, redefine, and live by meanings that honor the wholeness of my being.
Key Takeaway
When I define concepts like success, healing, or authenticity on my terms, I reclaim my autonomy and honor the wisdom of my own journey.
The essence of this affirmation lies in the quiet but radical act of self-definition, free from the weight of societal expectations.
Journaling Prompt
What beliefs or external definitions have shaped the way I currently view success or healing, and how do these definitions support or limit me?
Hint: Start by identifying where your current definitions originated—family, society, or personal experience. Reflect on whether they feel like a fit or an obligation.
Release, for me, is not about abandoning hope or letting go of ambition. It’s about allowing space for truth and possibility. I can release my attachment to an outcome I cannot change and, in doing so, free myself from the suffering of clinging to it. I can redefine freedom, not as a universal ideal but as something deeply personal—a sense of spaciousness and trust in my ability to choose. I can even release the idea of how my life “should” unfold, stepping away from rigid expectations and into the fluidity of the present moment.
This isn’t just about release—it’s about what comes next. When I step back from old perceptions, I invite myself to explore new ones. I stop speaking to myself with rigid words like "should", “must” or “but,” and instead open the door for “both and” and “yes, and” This shift is subtle but powerful, turning roadblocks into bridges and creating space for perspective.
So here’s what I’ll leave you with: What if you let go of the perception that your life needs to fit a particular mold? What would it feel like to give yourself permission to define freedom, connection, or whatever you like in your own terms—and achieve them in your way? If you can't give yourself the permission - I'll gladly pass my own permission slip on to you.
There’s no perfect moment to start; there’s only the choice to begin now, where you are.
Take care,
Jay
❤️ If you find this piece meaningful, consider clicking the heart at the top or bottom of the post. It helps others discover this newsletter and brightens my day.
Hashtags
#Release #DailyIntention #Affirmation #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #Mindfulness #EmotionalWellness #Boundaries #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #SelfReflection #Authenticity #DefineYourself #LettingGo #InnerPeace #Clarity #NonAttachment #Freedom #SelfCare #Transformation
Support My Work: Subscribe and Contribute
If you’ve enjoyed my reflections and want to support my work, you can subscribe to The Wild Lionesses Pride* here. Your subscription helps keep this ad-free, reader-supported publication going and ensures my content remains accessible to everyone.
If this reading resonates with you, great! And if not, no worries. Take whatever may be helpful and leave the rest.
I currently paywall my work because I believe in sharing my work widely. But you will get full access to archives and some of my secret recipes I usually do not share with anybody. If a monthly or annual subscription isn’t feasible for you right now, you can also show your support with a one-time tip via my Tip Jar here.
Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this journey!
The Wild Lion*esses Pride is a reader-supported publication, free from ads or algorithms.
Share this post