Releasing Yucky Build Up

September 23, 2024

Dana Grinnell

A week ago was a Full Harvest Super Moon! 🌕 A full moon, for me, carries perfect doses of whimsy, mystique and sends all the Halloween vibes. I always love a good excuse to realign, bring myself back to center, clarify intentions or goals, and release what is no longer serving me. Don’t get me wrong, life usually gets in the way of my astrological hopes and dreams and I often completely forget about the full moon and catch wind only after it has passed. For some reason, this one stuck out as a moment I shouldn’t miss, and it felt right to make a special note and do a few things out of the ordinary.

First, as any modern-day woman may do, I turned to ChatGPT to list all the things one should do on a Full Harvest moon: Set intentions, practice gratitude, cleanse your space, connect with nature, do a releasing ritual, journal, meditate, make moon water… Okay, looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Here’s how my evening shook out:

I started, as I often do, with a run. I have a one-mile loop around my neighborhood that I love. It always grounds me, gets me present, clears my head and this time I got to soak in the full moon glow. I said a little prayer of gratitude for this wonderful body of mine that allows me to run and for this absolutely gorgeous neighborhood that I get to call home. After the run I called my neighbor over for a stroll around the block. We talked, laughed, and soaked in the gorgeous fall moon. She brought her dog who is basically a small bear. I love that dog. Connecting in nature, check!

I decided that a luxurious Epsom salt and magnesium chloride bath while listening to a healing frequency playlist was in order! This was incredible! The playlist alone put me in a state of calm I haven’t felt in a long time. This combination - the bath and the sound bath - was my nightly ritual MVP. My kids thought I had completely lost it. I didn’t care. Cleansing and releasing - CHECK!

I realized in this moment that I have a few things to release. A few things I’ve been holding on to that are no longer serving me. A short list of yucky mental build up that I want to detach from. I took some time to think about these things and just let them go. I won’t bore you with my personal list, but I do encourage you to create your own!

Here are a few common ones that you may relate to:

Perfectionism: letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. Perfection is the enemy of done and the enemy of growth. Give yourself grace!
The need to please everyone: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Saying no is a complete sentence. Prioritizing your needs is not selfish it is survival.
Comparison: comparing yourself to others, comparing your life to the perceived idea of what your life “should be”. You are exactly where you are meant to be, right now. Your timing is divine. Trust the process. Do the work.
Negativity & victimhood: the past is in the past. Stop reliving it. Stop retelling it. Stop identifying with it. It’s time to define yourself by what you are moving towards, not what you are moving away from.
Bad habits: Are you drinking too much? Eating foods that don’t make you feel good? Watching too much TV? Scrolling too long? Sedentary? What is the one habit that is truly holding you back, and can you set an intention to work on releasing it?
Toxic relationships: Are there people in your life that you feel drained by, that don’t cheer for you, that make you feel less than? It might be time to have a conversation or distance yourself from that energy.

After my bath I took some time to journal – setting intentions, declaring some big and exciting goals, and releasing the build up. My “release” list was simple - I scribbled it down on a little piece of paper. I thought about burning the paper (as you do) but quickly realized I had no idea how to do that safely and I didn’t want to be calling the fire department on a Monday night. So I ripped it up into 50 pieces and flushed it down the toilet. Done. Released. The Moon Goddess has seen it and will take it from here.

The next morning I woke up, and I’m not kidding, a weight had been lifted. I felt LIGHTER - physically, emotionally. I know it sounds mystical and maybe a little woo woo, but I felt genuinely free. I felt energized and ready. Whatever you believe about the energy of a full moon, I am here to testify that 🌙 there is absolutely something to a ritual of releasing what no longer serves you 🌙. I don’t think it requires the full moon - I think it requires the intention. I just know that the full moon put me in the right headspace to do the work.

I’d love to know what you release! Come find me on Instagram, tag me, share your list!

Written by Dana Grinnell

Founder, Free Living Co

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a full moon release ritual?

A full moon release ritual is a mindfulness practice of using the energy of the full moon to reflect on what is no longer serving you—habits, thought patterns, relationships, or burdens—and consciously letting them go. It can be as simple as journaling, a bath, or time in nature.

How do I do a simple full moon ritual at home?

Light a candle, grab a journal, and write down what you want to release. You can also take a cleansing bath with Epsom salts, spend time in moonlight, or simply set an intention before bed. The goal is mindful reflection, not elaborate ceremony.

What is Epsom salt and why is it used in cleansing rituals?

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which absorbs through the skin and helps relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and support detoxification. It has long been used in wellness rituals for its grounding and restorative properties.

Do full moon rituals need to happen on the exact night of the full moon?

No—the energy of a full moon is considered potent for about three days before and after the peak. If you miss the exact night, you can still practice the ritual within that window and experience the same intentional benefit.

Why is releasing emotional buildup important for wellness?

Holding onto stress, grudges, and unprocessed emotions creates mental and physical tension that affects sleep, immunity, and overall health. Regular practices of release—whether tied to the moon or not—help clear space for clarity, joy, and forward momentum.

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