At 55, I feel somewhat qualified to tell you that reaching senior age brings many of your attachments to the forefront of your life. You begin to face things that are changing, and much of it is beyond your control. You realize how attached you've been to things like your hair color, skin, posture, income, parents, work, home, ability to travel, drive, move your body, understand technology, your beliefs, what you thought you knew for certain, your sense of self, your goals, habits, independence, etc., etc.—ad nauseam!
It’s not just seniors, of course. We ALL have strong attachments to so many things. From birth, we start latching on to people, ideas, places, and things. We all have ideas we hold tightly to—whether they are big ideas like "all men are created equal" or smaller ones like "don’t wear white after Labor Day." We also have certain beliefs about what makes a person "good" or "bad." As children, we were taught many things: eat your vegetables, brush your teeth before bed, do your homework, don’t talk to strangers, look both ways before crossing the street. Many of these are “healthy” attachments that we continue to abide by. Some are so deeply ingrained that we're unconscious of them. We don’t even remember where these ideas came from—we just accepted them. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but greater awareness can be helpful.
Consider the ideas you're attached to today. Are these attachments healthy? Are they relevant and in line with your current self, or are they outdated and no longer resonate with who you are? Are you clinging to something that’s draining your energy?
Some attachments are easier to recognize and let go of than others. The idea that I shouldn’t wear navy blue with black? I can release that attachment pretty easily. My attachment to eating chips with pizza? That’s a little harder to let go of, LOL! (Also, pizza is for Saturday nights, just sayin’.) There are so many little things we hold onto, aren’t there? What are some of your own attachments that may seem silly but are hard to let go of? It's fascinating to discover these—and often, the reasons behind them no longer apply. With awareness, we can then choose how to proceed.
Then, there are the more challenging attachments—those that deeply affect our lives. Think about your ideas around money, parenting, marriage, race, religion, or death. What about your beliefs about our country? How attached are you to these?
Our attachment to bigger ideas can shape how secure we feel, influencing our sense of belonging and safety. Even considering examining these attachments can make us feel uneasy or defensive, often without understanding why. We can become reactive, like a live wire. When challenged, we grip even harder, as though our survival depends on it.
It’s helpful to ask whether a particular attachment is healthy or unhealthy. An unhealthy attachment can verge into addiction, where you're no longer in control—it’s choosing you rather than you choosing it. These attachments can be the hardest to acknowledge, let alone release, but awareness is the first step toward healing. If you're struggling with addiction, I strongly urge you to reach out for support from professionals.
Not all attachments are unhealthy, of course. Many support a loving, secure, and joyful life—like our community of people, healthy habits, favorite music, pets, hobbies, work, belief in a higher power, and love. These attachments serve us well, fostering growth and expansion along our soul’s journey.
Can you pause and simply notice some of the things you're attached to? You don’t have to give them up—just observe and acknowledge the attachments themselves. I invite you to jot down 5-10 of these now.
Some you might feel ready to examine more closely and loosen your grip on. Others, you might hold onto more tightly, and that’s okay. Still others might feel just right, and you’ll choose to keep them. As you sit with your attachments, notice how your body reacts. Do you tense up or feel neutral? If you release an attachment, how does that feel? If you keep it, how does that feel?
Acknowledging our attachments provides valuable insight into ourselves and can propel us toward growth on our life’s journey.
My hope is that this exploration of attachments brings you greater awareness—and with it, much more power of choice.
If you find you’d like some support and communication around your shifting attachments and your increased awareness, please don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a session today.
Be gentle with yourselves.
With Love,
Lynnette Suzanne
Book a session with Lynnette today to learn more about the energies in your life
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