The beginning of the calendar year is the perfect time to start a new practice of letting go. But sometimes, letting go is much easier said than done. It’s often hard to figure out where to begin changing those old habits of holding on to what bothers us.

Letting go starts with making a choice. Whether you want to let go of weight, material things, emotions, or that box that was never fully unpacked, letting go is a conscious decision based on the belief that you will feel better and healthier without all that baggage. Plus, when we let go, we make space for new possibilities.

Here are some suggestions that may help you to let go and live more fully in the New Year.

1. Take a moment to close your eyes and breathe deeply throughout the day. Breathing deeply when we feel stressed calms us down. Picture the toxins that consume your life. As you breathe in and breathe out, begin to release your hold of these people or things. You’re much stronger without them.

2. On the highest level, we are what we think. The mind’s energy impacts the body. Practice letting go of the nagging voice in your head that constantly pushes you down. The way you talk to yourself or think about yourself will have an effect on how you feel about yourself, and also on how your physical body looks. Sometimes we are not even aware of the way we limit ourselves with our own beliefs. Be mindful. Use words of kindness and compassion, the same way you would with a dear friend.

3. Release your hold of the past. Expectations and worries are based on the results of previous experiences. If you believe that everything happens for a reason, you will be more willing to go with the flow and approach every situation anew.

4. Forgive and forget—start with yourself! When you are at peace with how awesome and unique you are, the actions of others cannot harm you. Those actions become their problem, not yours.

5. Practice Qigong daily! Doing so will help you notice the difference in the way you approach every situation. You are a body, mind and spirit being. As such, your daily practice will benefit every aspect of your being.

Happy New Year!