Surrender, what does that really mean? Maybe you’ve heard it while Googling manifestation or your coach used the word “surrender” in a session. Now you’re here wondering… What does that really mean? How do I do it? Is it time for me to surrender? I’m going to answer all of those questions and some in this post right here.

 ^ Want to listen to this post instead?! Tune in here! ^

The truth is – surrender is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your growth toolkit. It’s simultaneously one of the most simple and difficult tools to implement. Simple because it’s quite literally the act of letting go. Difficult because it’s quite literally the act of letting go. Much like grace, it gives you the space to see what’s in front of you and the space for your manifestations to breathe. Surrender keeps us on a purposeful path that is paved with ease in knowing it’s all working out exactly as it should be.

What does it really mean to surrender?

A quick Google search left me feeling a little angry with the definition of surrender.

I respectfully disagree, Google. I believe you are missing some alternative definitions. Also, isn’t there some rule where you’re not supposed to use the word in a definition (surrender: the action of surrendering)… Okay Google, solid effort, let me give this a go.

If you’re new around here, I like to redefine things. We give words so much power. The power to tear us down, the power to halt our dreams. Some words have the power of a dagger in the heart. And some words have the power to change our lives, some words are like medicine to our soul. Like a lightbulb finally flipping on. The coolest part? We can always flip a word on it’s head and create the meaning and intention that we deeply desire.

I’ll give Google this, it’s not an easy word to define, I mean this is a whole blog post dedicated to one word afterall. 

I’m going to define and redefine this word “surrender” many times in this post. Take what you love, leave the rest. Create your own definition of this word and you will have a new tool for your growth toolkit.

I thought next, what if I image search “surrender” then what comes up? This was the result…

Yes. That’s it.

To me, to surrender is to let go and let in.

Surrender is to release the grasp of control and create space in between for solutions to come in.

To surrender isn’t to quit or to give away your power. It’s not to fall victim or to fall to defeat.

To surrender is to lean back and recieve exactly what you need

Surrender feels like peace, calm, trust.

Sometimes, we put so much pressure on what we are creating. It’s almost as if we’re yelling at our creations.
“Do this, faster.”
“Create results, now.”
“Come to life sooner!”
“Make me money, faster.”

What if another human was talking to you like this? Would you do the thing they were asking of you?

To surrender is to step back, stop suffocating your creations, let in God (universe, higher self, divine) to move the pieces around and so you find your answer.

When I wrote my book, Balanced Out, I actually started writing it 3 different times.

The first time was when I noticed others in my industry had a book and it seemed to work well. The voice came in that said, this is not the time. The second time was when I wanted to write a book, because I have a lot to say, I’ve lived a lot in the few years I’ve been here. The voice came in that said, this is not the time. The third time, I wanted to write the book to prove to others how smart I am, I forced chapters to come out that had advanced lessons on your inner child, and shadow work. And once again, the voice came in that said, this is not the time.

I was so frustrated. I knew I wanted to write a book, I knew I had so much to say to the world. I was in my car driving home from Trader Joe’s when I started talking to my higher power.

I said, “Okay God, this is it. I know I want to write a book, I know a book is within me. I promise to share my mission through this book. I promise to use it to serve. I promise to write it in purpose and on purpose for the one woman that needs it. Because if she can hear it and it changes her path then I know I have done my job. I surrender to the outcome of this book. I surrender the results. I am ready, I am open, I am willing, I surrender.”

I repeated those last few phrases almost all the way home. I am ready, I am open, I am willing, I surrender.

The next morning, I woke up, opened my computer, and I wrote. Until 6pm that night I wrote. I wrote Days (Chapters) 2-11 of the now publised, Balanced Out. The words poured out of me with so much ease.

That is what happens when you surrender.

You stop forcing and source your own inspiration. You stop perfecting and start honoring what is yours. You move with grace.

You accept what is. You create.

To surrender is to be open, to be balanced with the higher power.

I can’t promise you surrender will happen all at once like it did for me. I’ve surrendered to outcomes and waited weeks or maybe even months.

Nothing will ever come into your life unless it is the exact right time for it.

And I am certain that nothing will come into your life if you are not truly open to it.

– This was a snippet from Balanced Out, get your copy here –

How do I know if it’s surrendering or giving up?

Excellent question! To surrender is to give space. It feels like an open sense of relief. To give up feels dark, frustrated, bitter. To give up feels like throwing it all away.

Surrender is a moment in between.

How to surrender

It’s the million dollar question that every client has asked me more than once in a series. Like I said earlier, surrender is simple and difficult all at once. The how is really simple – take a pause. Over the past few years as a coach, I have found there are a few things that can help you to create that pause.

1. Release any expectation

It might be hard to surrender because you had your plan mapped out exactly as you wanted it to play out. Maybe like my book, you thought – everyone else has this thing and they’re successful/happy/free – I should have it now too. But the thing is, your path, will never be their path. By expecting results that aren’t yours, gripping so tightly to an idea that isn’t working for you – you just might be missing the magic right in front of you.

To surrender is to trust your unique path.

2. Take a breath, go outside

See photos above. I know this might sound way too easy… and also, it is. Get yourself outside and give your control over the outcome away to something greater. Sometimes I’ll just go on a walk and speak out what I am letting go of, much like when I was in the car speaking over my book desires. Let the pressure release from your system.

To surrender is to zoom out, see the big picture.

3. Press pause not stop

This isn’t final. Your mind wants to keep the control, that’s fear trying to make sure you don’t step out of your comfort zone. It’s safe to let go, in fact, it’s magic to let go. Regulate your nervous system by reminding yourself this isn’t final, this is space.

To surrender is to create clarity.

Is it time for me to surrender?

Well, you made it this far, so my short answer is yes.

To surrender is to stop fighting against the current and meet life where it is at.

It’s time to surrender if: you feel like you’re fighting against the current, you feel stuck even though you want something so badly, you feel like you’re spinning your wheels moving fast but moving no where.

Surrender is a catalyst to positive change. When you release your grip of control, you empower yourself to do things differenly and you create space for real life magic.

Share with me in the comments, how do you define surrender or maybe which piece are you now taking with you?

Loved this post? Share the surrender magic by pinning this image: