Unexpectedly many of our daily struggles are caused by attachments.
Here are a few examples:
Overeating: While there is nothing wrong with eating, when we overeat or eat out of habit or a lack of self-control, it can eventually make us feel sick or less healthy. Here, the attachment might be to using food as a coping mechanism, to eating certain foods every day, or to cleaning our plates even when we have enough.
Overwork: If we work too much, we may develop a desire to accomplish as much as we can, perhaps to feel adequate.
Putting things off: This can be brought on by a variety of factors, but one of them is a fixation on doing things correctly or on getting a certain result that makes us feel secure or good about ourselves.
Frustrations with others: Here, the attachment may be that they act in the manner we prefer or that they are content with us.
When we feel overwhelmed, we might be clinging to simplicity, order, or a clear understanding of what to do.
Social media addictions: The attachment may be to a sense of security or maybe even a sense of amusement.
Clutter: If we have too much clutter, we may be emotionally attached to our possessions or to the convenience and security of shopping and receiving packages in the mail. We may also be emotionally attached to our possessions for the reasons mentioned in "Putting Things Back" above.
There are many causes of social anxiety, but attachment may arise from concerns about how others perceive us, as well as from feelings of security or comfort.
I'm not going to minimise or pretend that these problems are easily resolved. I assert that the root of these issues is our attachments.
Can we let go of our attachments if that is the case? How would it feel to gently let go of what we hold onto?
I work on letting go with joy.
Let's examine how this might function in real life.
Realising that our struggle stems from an attachment is the first step. Look over the list above and determine which items apply. It can be simple to criticise others or feel guilty about specific actions. But what if we could simply identify the places where we feel a sense of attachment?
Once the attachment is visible, we can try to release it through practise.
Release the breathe with joy, as if you were letting go of a balloon, and let it fly away! Try to live without attachment for a while and observe what that feels like. What options do you have when you are unattached?
Try it now: Was there anything you were addicted to, avoided, or found frustrating? Could you consciously recognise your attachment and joyfully let go of it?