The Art of Surrender: Finding Balance in Healing
For me, the concept of surrender has always been challenging because I’ve always been a fighter. I had to adopt that mindset to navigate the numerous obstacles and pains in my life—whether physical, mental, or emotional. Many people can likely relate to this struggle.
However, as I began to explore various healing modalities over the years, I discovered the importance of practicing the art of surrender. It truly is an art that requires cultivation over time.
Photo by Максим Степаненко on Unsplash
Surrendering Isn’t Giving Up
Initially, I believed that surrendering meant giving up, as if it meant succumbing to the pain and suffering. But I’ve since realized that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Surrendering actually requires immense strength; it involves releasing the control and resistance we tend to cling to.
It’s understandable to desire as much control as possible in our lives, especially when managing a chronic condition like eczema or going through topical steroid withdrawal.
On our journey of healing, we oftentimes become overly obsessed with everything we do, over-analyzing and dissecting every action we take – or don’t take.
Finding Balance in Healing
I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t take action to support our healing journey. What I am emphasizing is that there’s a time for everything, and balance is crucial in all areas of life.
Part of this balance involves knowing when to fight hard and when to let go and surrender.
What Does It Mean to Surrender?
To me, surrendering means letting go of the (perceived) control over our lives—releasing the scheduling, the planning, and the tight grip we maintain.
It means accepting our lives as they are, letting go of expectations, and welcoming the uncertainty and flow of life.
Allowing Ourselves to Feel
Often, the most beneficial thing we can do for ourselves is to stop trying so hard to “fix” everything.
Sometimes, it’s more helpful to surrender to our pain and simply exist within it. We must allow ourselves to feel whatever emotions arise in the moment.
It’s perfectly valid to feel frustrated, sad, or angry—these feelings are justified.
Constantly trying to “fix” them can often lead to more harm than good.
Embracing Surrender
It’s natural to resist anything that feels uncomfortable or painful.
However, feelings exist to be experienced, and only by feeling them can we heal. It’s important to lean into the discomfort, to sit with it, and to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is where true change and healing occur.
When you find it hard to surrender—when you feel stuck or frustrated with your skin, yourself, or life—try to surrender even more. Release the desire for control and perfection.
Remember, you are already whole and perfect just as you are, even in the middle of a flare-up or when experiencing pain.
When you feel unable to let go, allow yourself to surrender even more.
