After decades on this planet, I’ve experienced my share of ups and downs, heartaches and victories. One of the greatest gifts of aging has been learning to notice my thoughts and sort them into mental “buckets.”

There’s the “comparison” bucket, where I catch myself measuring my life against others. There’s the painful “no one loves me” bucket that can appear on those tough days. And let’s not forget the anxious “what does the future hold” bucket.

But here’s the thing I’ve discovered. As you learn to understand these thoughts, what drives them, and how to release them so they don’t have power over you, it feels like a 40-pound weight has been lifted from your shoulders. There’s a lightness of being that emerges, regardless of what’s happening around you.

The Power of Letting Go

In her new bestselling book, Mel Robbins introduces a concept I find particularly valuable: the “let them” philosophy. Instead of allowing every irritation to deplete your reserves, you can choose which battles deserve your attention.

What about those typical stress triggers many of us face? Technology frustrations. Healthcare system complexities. Changing social dynamics. Physical limitations. Each can consume significant energy if we allow them to.

But what if we didn’t?

Evicting Negative Tenants from Your Mind

Think of your mind as valuable real estate. Would you let just anyone move into your home without paying rent? Of course not! Yet many of us allow negative thoughts, irritating situations, and difficult people to occupy our mental space rent-free.

These unwelcome tenants drain your energy and contribute nothing positive in return. Every moment spent ruminating on a rude comment or someone else’s opinions is energy diverted from what truly matters in your life.

Protecting your energy means deciding who and what gets to occupy your thoughts. Be selective with your mental real estate. Evict those who don’t pay their way through positivity, growth, or joy.