![Quantcast](http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-GS-HF4BKvzCmv.gif)
![The art of allowing](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy81MTUwMzg5MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTc1MjcwMjUwMn0.yd_dqx3suZs9r7kU_2w8fZomvOZuZI7tcR60_Re3u8E/img.jpg?width=1200&height=600&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C354)
How To Master The Art Of Allowing
As we’ve entered a new year, it’s time to shed the burdens of the past and prepare for a new chapter in our lives. For me, this season of my life is about allowing - letting go of the baggage of the past and all anxiety about the future. We often hear about “detachment” in the context of “not caring” and being cold and unfeeling, but the art of detachment is about something much deeper and much more liberating than becoming immune to our emotions.
The true beauty in detachment is finding agency in our response to external events, circumstances, and people and allowing the things we truly desire to easily come into our lives.
We’re only here to experience other people - not control them.
It can be hard to let go of that friendship or relationship we wanted so badly, but the truth is, we can’t control other people. Whether they leave us or do us wrong is up to them. We only have control over our responses to those experiences. We’re only here to experience each other and enjoy things while they’re fun or good for us. Mastering how to move on once that experience is over makes difficult situations much easier to navigate. That doesn’t mean it won’t hurt, but this shift in mindset will save you some heartache.
What you hold onto too tightly, you will lose.
da-kuk/ Getty Images
Have you ever noticed how when you stop waiting for that text or checking for that email and move on with your day, that’s when you receive it? Have you ever had a fleeting thought about someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, and they reach out soon after? My favorite example is one I’m sure we’ve all experienced - the minute you get over your ex that’s when they come crawling back. These are all examples of the art of detachment or “allowing.”
When we detach from, or let go of, the outcome, it speeds up our manifestations. Law of Attraction Coach, Abraham Hicks, calls it “flowing downstream” or “allowing.” Imagine the effort it would take to swim upstream vs. downstream or trying to hold a cork underwater vs. allowing it to float on top of the water.
Focus on what you can control.
As the perfectly flawed beings that we are, we feel like we need to control everything in our lives. The idea of letting go can be frightening, but I challenge you to change your perspective on this and see it as liberating instead. Think about how heavy a burden it is to try to orchestrate our every experience. Wouldn’t it be far easier to focus only on the things you can control? This doesn’t mean pretending not to care when you’re hurt, rejected, or betrayed. It means focusing on how you respond to those situations and taking charge of the good-feeling things you can do for yourself.
You can work on your self-confidence by taking on challenging new hobbies or going to the gym. You can work on finding new love by going to events or participating in activities you enjoy with new people. You can find a better job by updating your resume, expanding your network, and refining your skills. By focusing on the things you can control, you open yourself up for more joy to come into your life.
There is only the present.
F.J. Jimenez/ Getty Images
You’ve probably heard the saying “all we have is now.” We only ever have the present moment and staying present releases us from the ties of the past and the pull of the future. When we let go of our past hurt and future anxieties and choose to focus on what we can control - the here and now - we allow ourselves to truly romanticize our lives and take each moment as it comes. And, after all, that’s the point, right? As Abraham Hicks teaches, the purpose of life is joy and the result is growth.
What are you trying to let go of? Let me know in the comments.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Westend61/ Getty Images
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Actor Jessie T. Usher reveals his secrets for maintaining his physical appearance while filming Amazon Prime's The Boys.
The series, which spans four seasons, follows vigilantes as they battle corrupt superheroes. In The Boys, Usher portrays Reggie Franklin, also known as A-Train, a superhero with incredible speed.
During a recent Men's Health magazine interview, the 32-year-old spoke about his diet and workout regimens. These routines help Usher stay in shape for the show's stunt work, which involves intense cardio to match his character's super-speed abilities.
In the discussion, he revealed his workout regimen consists of resistance training and cardio. On rest days, the Shaft star incorporates yoga and stretching into his routine.Jessie On What He Eats In a Day
Regarding his diet, Usher shared he typically eats three meals daily with minimal variations. He begins each day by hydrating and waiting an hour or two before breakfast. On production days for The Boys, Usher opts for eggs with herbs and seasonings, accompanied by fruit.
The Dangerous Lies actor keeps it light for lunch with protein-rich options like quinoa bowls or salads with lentils, chicken, and vegetables from CAVA. Dinner is his heartiest meal, featuring chicken and fish (particularly sea bass or salmon), after which he refrains from eating for the rest of the night.
Usher focuses on protein intake for all his meals rather than counting macro calories to support muscle growth. He boosts his protein with peanut butter shakes. While maintaining a disciplined diet, The Almost Christmas star allows himself occasional indulgences like Funyuns or Nutter Butters. To round out his health regimen, Usher takes daily vitamins.
Jessie On His Diet And Workout Routine For "The Boys"
When asked about adjusting his diet or workout routine for his role in The Boys, Usher explained that his health-conscious lifestyle eliminates the need for significant changes.
“Honestly, no. Because by the time I got to The Boys I was already health conscious. Very much aware of what I was putting in my body and how,” he said.
Regarding his workouts, Usher revealed he tailors his routines to include more diverse cardio exercises. This approach ensures he's physically prepared for the scenes he shoots for the show.
“A day of working out for The Boys is a little bit different. I feel like I added more variations of cardio work,” he stated. “When [you’re shooting] you just have no idea what they’re about to throw at you. I just want to be ready for all of those challenges, especially the cardio things. I just wanted to have the endurance to be able to get through whatever type of scene that I would possibly be shooting.”
Season four of The Boys is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Everything ‘The Boys’ Star Jessie T Usher Eats In a Day | Eat Like | Men's Health
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures