If you're like me, you hold onto every little thing. From that toy you got as a little kid at an amusement park, to that t-shirt you swear you'll wear but you never actually do, to the people who broke you into a million pieces. I've never actually been good at letting go. And honestly, I don't think anyone ever really is. Holding onto people, memories, feelings. People hold onto them because they are scared of change. Really scared of change.

I'll admit, I've always been scared of change. The idea of everything leaving your comfort zone is absolutely terrifying. People not being who they once were, and abandoning you. Memories slipping away, whether they are good or bad, but you hold onto them so you can remember every detail. Feelings change but you hold onto them because it's all you have left to that person.Those are common examples of why we all hold on to the past or anything we possibly can hold onto, and we all can relate to that in some way.

My whole life, God's given me opportunities to let go of what I've been holding onto for so long, but I never let them go. Partly because I didn't want those things to leave, but also because I was terrified of letting them go completely and everything changing. In the past month, I've learned that change will happen whether you like it or not. Nothing lasts forever and nothing stays the same, no matter how badly you want it to. But it's up to you and ONLY you on how it affects you. I never thought I would be doing this, but here is my final goodbye to what I've come to grips with.

To my past,

Thank you for making me who I am today. Without you, I wouldn't have become the powerful, ambitious, independent woman I am today. But on another note, I'm glad that part of my life is over and I can finally move onto bigger and better things.

To the boys who broke my heart,

I never really thought I'd say this, but thank you for breaking my heart. You made me a stronger person. Because you left, I learned how to pick up my own pieces without somebody's help. Not only that, but you allowed me to grow a deeper relationship with God when you left. You showed me that I do deserve better and you allowed me to learn exactly what I need in a guy. You aren't in my life anymore. You hurt me, you lost the one person who was there for you, and that's your lost. Not mine. But I have no grudges against you anymore. Because I can't move on if I do. So thank you for showing me your true colors, and allowing me to find mine. I wish nothing but the best for you.

To the best friends who walked away,

Sometimes, friendships don't last. And that's okay. I think its a way of life. People come into your life to show you right from wrong, and eventually, leave. It hurts when someone like a best friend leaves, but it's not always one-sided either. Thanks for leaving my life when you did. I will forever cherish the good memories, and the lessons you brought into my life. You each taught me something different, and I think that's such a cool thing, even if it did break my heart at the time. On another note, I'm sorry to the people I left. It wasn't you, I promise. Some relationships with peers just aren't healthy or what you need, and that's why I left. Not because you did anything wrong. Just because it was better for both of us. But I hope every one of you has found a new best friend who treats you just as well as mine treat me.

To the people who told me I couldn't,

Thanks for trying to break me down by telling me I wouldn't be successful. As of today, I feel more accomplished than I ever have. I'm becoming the person God created me to be, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. I wouldn't have gotten the motivation I needed to push myself, if it wasn't for you. While I applaud your efforts, they didn't work on me. But I hope you all are just as successful as I am, and maybe you'll be able to do what others told you something you couldn't do.

Finally, to my future self,

Next time you think about holding onto something, let it go. If it's worth holding onto, it'll stay and you'll remember it. I promise. As my guy best friend tells me now, "It'll only hurt you more dwelling on the past." And for the first time in my life, I actually believe that statement. You will never get to a better point in your life if you don't let go. Change is such a scary thing. But it's worth letting those things go. You'll be thankful for the change later in life, even if it seems like it's the end of the world in the present time. Live your life in the moment, not in the past. And enjoy it all. You have one life to live, don't waste it on pain and misery. Allow your life to move on, without those certain people, memories, and feelings. You'll thank me later.

I picked up all the broken pieces, I found all the true colors I need, and now it's time for me to create a masterpiece with my life without those things dragging me down.

And for once, I'm okay with that.

This is my final goodbye to my past, this is me letting go, and this is the start to creating the masterpiece I was made to create.