The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom

by Nick Trenton

Your mind should be your safe zone, not the noisiest place in the world. Restore your inner peace.
If you are always on edge and unable to relax, this book is for you. Choose the pace that you want to live life at - you DO have a choice.

Control your thoughts; control your life; control your happiness.
The Art of Letting Go is all about organizing the mess in your mind. It's about how to stop focusing on the past that is over, or the future that may never occur, and being present in the situations that you can actually have agency in. It's about how to rewire the anxious connections in your brain, and switch your mental programming and beliefs. It's about understanding that our brains are made for 10,000 BC, and that you can afford to let your guard down.

It's about trusting that things will be okay.

How to control your self-talk and transform your internal worldview.
Nick Trenton grew up in rural Illinois and is quite literally a farm boy. His best friend growing up was his trusty companion Leonard the dachshund. RIP Leonard. Eventually, he made it off the farm and obtained a BS in Economics, followed by an MA in Behavioral Psychology.

Psychologically-proven tips to get out of your mind and into your life.
-Practicing nonjudgment and observation over your emotions
-Untangling the toxic beliefs of urgency and danger in your brain
-How to use brain dumping in the most calming way possible
-Exercises for self-distancing and powerful psychological techniques
-Defeating your drive for perfection; finding a drive for excellent-ism

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Audiobook, Health

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2023

About the author

كاتب وباحث في مجال علم النفس.حاصل على ماجيستير في علم النفس السلوكي، وعمل مع العديد من الأشخاص ليعلمهم كيفية الوصول لصفاء الذهن والهدوء العقلي. له أكثر من 30 كتاب في مجال علم النفس، من ضمنهم كتاب clam your thoughts -the art of self therapy

Reviews

[Anton · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information in this book, but I feel like it was poorly written. In the beginning I felt like there was a lot of restating the same thing over and over again just rephrased. By the end of was annoyed with the overuse of the abstract third person point of view with the use of "one." I don't know, it's probably just me, but that made it more difficult to read.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my therapist, and as a person who struggles with finding inner peace, this book was a call out. I read this book not knowing what to expect, but it provided good wisdom and advice. There were a few things that connected with me the most and the biggest one being that I should not be afraid of things out of my control. I learned that I should focus on what I can control and that I shouldn't be significantly bothered by things that I cannot change nor influence. The book helped me put into perspective how much I worry about unnecessary things, it helped me to understand certain parts of myself that I tend to ignore. This book is really good for anyone who is trying to further their self-growth journey, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is a book about a simple concept, but not one that is easy to implement.

[Avani ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Letting Go by Nick Trenton is one of those books that feels like a conversation with a wise friend who gently guides you toward peace and clarity. It’s not just about letting go of things or people; it’s about letting go of the mental clutter that holds us back from truly living in the present. I’ve found that the beauty of this book lies in how simply and effectively it tackles the often-overwhelming idea of letting go.

What makes this book stand out is how relatable it is. Trenton speaks directly to the reader, offering practical advice that’s easy to digest and apply to everyday life. Whether you're struggling with letting go of past regrets, old relationships, or negative thought patterns. He guides you through a process of reflection, mindfulness, and self-compassion, helping you shift your mindset in a way that feels authentic, not forced.

I really appreciated how Trenton emphasizes the importance of accepting our feelings without judgment. This book isn’t about suppressing emotions or pushing them away but understanding and embracing them to eventually release their hold on us. There’s a lot of power in that—being able to accept something as it is without trying to control or change it, which is ultimately the essence of letting go. It's not a quick fix or a one-time effort; it’s a journey, and Trenton does an excellent job of showing that.

The writing is approachable and calming, and the structure of the book makes it easy to follow along without feeling overwhelmed. It feels more like a guidebook for personal growth, with each chapter offering tools and insights that you can slowly incorporate into your life. It’s not about forcing yourself to let go all at once; rather, it's about giving yourself permission to take it one step at a time, with kindness toward yourself.

That said, if you're expecting a deep dive into the psychology of letting go or a more academic approach, this might not be for you. Trenton's focus is more on the personal and emotional side of things and if you're someone who's ready to embrace change and release old baggage in a gentle, practical way, then "The Art of Letting Go" is a book worth reading.

In the end, this book is a beautiful reminder that the act of letting go isn’t about loss or sacrifice; it’s about making space for what truly matters. Nick Trenton does a wonderful job of simplifying a complicated process, making it easier to understand, and most importantly, easier to put into practice.

[Lianne Poisson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of words in this book but it really didn't say much.

[Jennifer Sakash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it might be helpful information for my kids to learn. The fact that is self-published was clearly evident. Some good basic concepts, but randomly put together with rambling examples.

[Breanne Bachovchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good toolkit. I unfortunately was already aware of a lot of these tools and practices, so I skimmed a bit. I’d however recommend the book

[Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful book for people who tend to cling to situations or emotions that prevent them from feeling at ease. It has many tips and techniques for letting go of negative thinking. It is a lucid and very interactive book.

It starts with the concept of the dichotomy of control, very similar to the serenity prayer, letting go of things that are not under one's control and focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. The Eisenhower matrix method is a handy tool for balancing tasks and performing self-distancing, especially in professional life.

Other techniques like non-judgemental thinking and self-distancing to form objective thinking that improves the clarity of thoughts, embracing excellentism instead of perfectionism, letting go of inner critic that breaks the chains of pessimism and helps one perform better, embracing change and brain dumping to encourage a growth mindset etc. are also helpful.

I also feel that the narrative therapy discussed in Chapter 4 is very doable and practical. It involves externalising one's fears or emotions by considering them an occasional visitor rather than a permanent ailment.

Overall, it's a good guide to mastering the art of letting go, making our life much more peaceful.

[Lori Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay. For beginners on the road to setting boundaries, maybe this would be good. I found it a bit simple, but to each their own.

[Juniper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with sound information and techniques to manage worry, negative self-talk, and negative emotional attachment.

The writing style and structure is extremely basic, which is perhaps intentional. I would find this book much more compelling otherwise. There's too much repetition in summary and I found the author's exemplification through described scenarios, while believable and realistic, framed in such a hypothetical way that they disengaged me. I skimmed and skipped a lot of the explicatory passages.

That being said, I appreciated the meat of the content, which was good, with a lot of helpful reminders and suggestions on personal cognition, introspection, and reframing to lead a happier and healthy life.

[Nate Karren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Art of Letting go is full of wisdoms and strategies meant to guide people through the maze of challenges we face in modern life. Heavily influenced by stoicism and Buddhism, the book lays out detailed strategies for dealing with negative emotions that arise due to the constant bombardment of negatively charged media. There’s enormous value in applying the lessons shared here, but I struggled to enjoy and ponder these lessons due to the excessive repetition of language and concept. It was almost deja vu, reading the same lines over and over. I’m glad to have read it and reinforce some strategies for living mindfully, but I’ve enjoyed other books within the same genre (Meditations, Mindsight) much more. Would recommend, but with an asterisk.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better self help books I've read recently! There were quite a few tidbits that I took away and there were some thought processes that I've heard many times before that it brought to the forefront of my brain again.

The book has a phrase, "Stinking thinking," which is basically negative self talk or doomsday thoughts. I found that quite fun.

[Tori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read for a work project- do not recommend

[Kristin]

Great idea. Hard to put into practice. Better than The Untethered Soul.

[Christina Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good notes but a very repetitive. Nothing too groundbreaking.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2. It’s fine. Just a little too repetitive.

[Madison Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m healed! 😎

[Riley Gailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on audible. I think self-help books might be the only books I can do audiobooks with.

[Matt Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice in letting go mentally in various areas of life.

[Barry Luginbill · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Art of Letting Go" is a profound exploration into the complexities of forgiveness, both towards others and oneself. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the invisible weights we carry through grudges and resentment, masterfully illustrating how these burdens are not just emotional but have tangible effects on our health and overall well-being. The author delves deep into the human psyche, providing insights and personal anecdotes that make the concept of forgiveness not just a moral high ground but a necessary step towards self-healing and liberation.

What makes this book particularly impactful is its ability to strike the reader with the force of a gut punch, especially when unveiling the truths about self-forgiveness. It's a revelation that while forgiving others can be challenging, the act of forgiving oneself is often a much steeper hill to climb. The narrative is woven with compassion and understanding, guiding the reader through the intricate process of letting go of self-directed anger and guilt, which are often the most insidious barriers to personal peace.

The practical advice, backed by psychological research and spiritual wisdom, provides a roadmap for navigating the difficult journey of releasing the past. The author's approach does not trivialize the pain or the process but acknowledges the complexity of human emotions and the strength it takes to confront them head-on.

Reading "The Art of Letting Go" is an enlightening experience that equips readers with the tools to start dismantling the walls built by past hurts and embark on a path towards not just forgiveness, but profound personal growth. It emphasizes that holding onto anger and resentment is a choice that directly impacts our health and happiness, and choosing to let go is the first step towards a freer, more fulfilled life.

This book is not just a guide but a companion in the journey of self-discovery and healing, making it clear that the art of letting go is indeed an art worth mastering for anyone seeking to live a more peaceful and meaningful life.

[Xavier · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the spirit of the book, I should describe it objectively in order to be mindful, instead of subjectively judging it. Here goes:

I recognize that the way the book is written is out of my control. Instead I can only control my reaction to the book. What can I take away from it? What can I say about the book objectively?
The book lacks insight and does not help me let go, despite the title.

Fuck that.

This reads like it was written by an AI. Is the major tenant of stoicism to dryly and and without a sense of passion, approach every obstacle and see through the veil of human emotion to a rational outcome?


The book unfortunately gives some horrible advice. One example is coping with a cheating partner. The writer suggests the benefits of forgiveness and the knowledge one can gain from forgiving someone for betraying you. "What reasons did they have to cheat? Were they unsatisfied in the relationship? Was something troubling them?"

My expectation of a stoic philosophy for this particular scenario would have been more along the lines of "I can't control my partner; I can only control what I do. What can I do in the future to be more aware of the warning signs of an unfaithful partner? What can I learn from this situation so I am not doomed to repeat it?"

I think this book may actually be harmful. Some of the advice it gives for suggestions on how to cope with a stressful situation sound very similar to dissociation, which I would consider to be an unhealthy coping mechanism.

Where is the 'art' in passionless observation? This book fails to deliver on all fronts. I would avoid if I were you.

[Amit Bharti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will restore your lost peace and align your emotional freedom with your core values. It is the most simplified book I have ever read on the topic of "letting go." The author has skillfully presented stoic lessons on letting go, offering a relatable approach that is easy to practice and implement.

✴️The book provides a pragmatic approach to building a resilient mindset by incorporating stoic principles. It highlights how we can stay mindful and reduce stress by avoiding the urge to control uncontrollable situations. This, in turn, helps manage emotions and restore inner peace.

✴️The author has shared actionable tips to help readers become less judgmental and more accepting of their emotions, allowing them to understand their feelings on a deeper level. We often tend to live in a hurried or rushed state of mind, which leads to emotional entanglement caused by toxic beliefs tied to a sense of urgency. This ultimately leaves us feeling chaotic and disturbed. To counter this, the principles outlined in this book are highly effective in managing these persistent challenges and restoring inner calm.

✴️This book provides an excellent roadmap for organizing a cluttered mind, helping readers avoid dwelling on the past or obsessing over the future. Learning to regulate our emotions and actions brings transformative changes to our psychological well-being and overall performance.

✴️This book is a must-read because it addresses the many situations that leave us feeling stuck or disturbed. By applying the knowledge shared in this book, we can let go of what bothers us, whether easily or gradually, depending on how we develop our understanding.

[Kyle Egemo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately for me it doesn't shed new light on the subject, but I can see the value in this book to the average person who has never been to therapy or really been honest with themselves. For someone with a low level of self-awareness and hopes of alleviating some problems and fixing perspective in their lives I would give it 4 stars.

The author does an amazing job of using easy to empathize with examples of every perspective or coping skill that they're explaining and the repetition of verbiage makes it easier to fully understand.

The first chapter I found to be very useful in the specific, easy to understand presentation and explanation of skewed perspectives in the problem areas, and the better more logical ways to approach them. Again I think it is solid logic but seems it should be common sense.

I think there were some good coping skills recommended in the subsequent 3 chapters but most of it gave me "power of positive thinking" vibes. And the part in chapter 3(?) about excellentism instead of perfectionism is wonderful in theory to me but seems like it kind of lends itself to false positivity in a way.

Overall I think this book could be very helpful to many people just starting their self discovery journey.

[Pavireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Organize your mind by untangling the bind"

The Art of Letting Go is an insightful guide for readers seeking to reclaim mental peace and achieve emotional balance. The book invites readers to release attachments to people, things, and expectations, while developing unwavering focus on the present moment through nonjudgmental thinking and psychological distancing from internal conflicts.

With practical advice grounded in psychology, it focuses on transforming your inner world to make your mind a sanctuary, rather than the noisiest place.

The book outlines effective strategies for cultivating nonjudgmental observation and self-distancing, helping readers adopt a more detached mindset instead of being swiftly swept away by emotions and urges.

As you turn the pages, you’ll gradually untangle the knots of perfectionism and learn to embrace excellence amidst chaos and uncertainty.

What I love most is the conversational tone and structured chapters, making the book both accessible and engaging for readers.

Overall, The Art of Letting Go is not just about letting go—it's about organizing your mind in the midst of life's noise.

An excellent read and a must for anyone looking to reclaim peace in everyday life.

[Minista Brenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed this one! It showed up just as I was looking to learn how to let go! I had been struggling with feelings of anger and repressed rage from the past experiences that I had had while on my first healing journey from childhood and young adult pains and traumas from narcissistic parents and others.

I learned how to let go with this, many articles, and YouTube/podcaster mentors. It was hard and took years to get over the past. Grief and healing take time. Don't read this book and do what it says and expect to heal and let it all go within days, weeks, or possibly, even months. Their path will work if you work it, but it takes time and self-realization, and a grieving process of what could have been or should have been even. That was the real problem, I couldn't get over what could have been in relationships, and especially in a few select relationships, what should have definitely been, but went oh so wrong!

I learned how to let go, and you can, too, if you read and take this book's suggestions seriously. I highly recommend it while you are on your healing journey. It will free you to forgive, forget, and if necessary, atone! Most of all, it will help you let go of others and the past!

[Dacky2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, not to get too specific and self revealatory...

Recently self diagnosed adult ADHD'er, even more recently realized I've gotten sucked up in a post Covid trend of adults trying to reasses how they deal with stress and stimulus as we restart our lives.

Either way, started looking for book titles to help me along this path.
This isn't the book I was looking for. I now realize it's part of a series of books where topics are really drawn out, with tedious examples, almost role-plays sprinkled throughout.

It insulted my intelligence. If I was a medium IQ early 20's alcoholic this book would probably have been helpful. As it was, I impatiently skimmed through, looking for some substance, something to stimulate my intellect to help me understand how to direct my behaviours.

Maybe that's asking a bit too much for a book. But I know there are better books that address this topic than this rag, book 13 of a series of who cares how many.

I impatiently finished the book because I finish what I start, and can't write a fun ranting review honestly if I didn't see it through, but it was a CWOT.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Letting Go explores how to quiet the constant noise in our minds and find calm through simple, psychology-backed practices. It focuses on shifting from overthinking and emotional overwhelm to clarity and balance. With tools like brain dumping, nonjudgmental observation, and self-distancing techniques, the book helps readers step back from their thoughts, stop chasing perfection, and build a more peaceful inner life.

This book didn’t feel like advice being handed down, it felt like someone walking beside me, showing me another way to relate to my thoughts. The approach is gentle but clear. That alone helped me feel less frustrated with myself. The book made me notice how often I rush through life without asking why, and how much of that is driven by fear disguised as responsibility.

There’s a real kindness in the way the author speaks to readers. It’s not sugarcoated, but it’s never harsh. The book is just pure advice, devoid of any filler. This book creates space to breathe, and sometimes that’s the best place to start.

[Ebony Humphrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not done. I’m 71% of the way there. However, this book has not at all been helpful for me. The advice is cliche, the examples don’t really make sense,and there’s no practical advice. The examples read similarly to: Jan decided to practice a technique called let it go. When her boss made her mad she closed her eyes and let it go. By letting it go she was able to live a happy life and get promoted at work. What?!?! The only way I’ve been able to get this far is to think of it like advice being given to my small children. Anyone who has lived more than 10 years probably won’t find this as a practical guide to apply.

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it's an okay book. A short with bits of repetitive advise. It's a fine bland read. The last chapter did spark some interest but it was hard to understand the context of the advice at times.

For example, the author mentions that a study found that forgiveness decrease wbc count, but doesn't elaborate how or why.

I literally had to chatgpt to understand that holding on resentment causes stress. Which can lead to unnecessary increase in the wbc count.

I can never leave books halfway so finished it somehow. But it's meh.

I think the author is a sweet person though after reading about him. So I hope he will write more.

[Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and to the point.

Breaking away from negative or self criticism, the roots of fear and anxiety and wounds and their impact are the key titles. Takeaways are obvious. The reframing technique is something I REALLY have to put into practice. "It's not the load that breaks you down, but the way you carry it." Mindfulness practices, grounding, and reframing all part of the therapy :) “The mind replays what the heart can’t delete,” Cos this in my life is so true.
Worthwhile read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

Update: DNF at 50% b/c it just wasn’t what I’d hoped it would be.
So much interesting and potentially useful information and concepts, but I felt the author just rephrased the same information over and over again without explaining anything new. Also, there were not enough examples for me to get a useful grasp of the information, and the examples provided were not substantive enough.
Too many ! and a few grammatical errors, and paragraph structure was awkward and in places.
Overall, because of how the information was written and presented, this book was a little frustrating to read.