Sweet Surrender—Opening to Flow and Freedom
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A living room gets a touch of tranquility from The Womb, 11” x 15” Acrylic on Paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney. Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.
Surrender is both a mindset and a practice.
It’s the art of letting go—releasing control of how things should unfold, and trusting a higher intelligence, creative flow, or the rhythm of life itself.
For artists, surrender brings peace and creative freedom. It softens the inner critic, dissolves the stress of forcing outcomes, and creates space for fresh inspiration to arrive.
In my own life, surrender has been the key to breakthroughs. Whether it was cycling in Iceland in my 20s and unexpectedly meeting a mentor named Abraham whose teachings influenced my life thereafter, or realizing that my most profound creative ideas appeared after I stopped trying so hard, I’ve seen that letting go often has the power to open the greatest doors.
Ways to practice surrender:
Sweet Surrender Days — Take a thermos of tea, a blanket, and simply sit in nature with no agenda.
Micro Acts of Surrender — When stressed, hand it over: “Universe, I give this to you. Show me the way.”
Business Rituals — Each week, choose one task to postpone, simplify, or release. Give it to God. Notice how space invites new opportunities.
“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything… we cannot be free.”
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
Research supports this wisdom.
Studies show that letting go builds resilience and adaptability, helping us navigate challenges with calm and openness.
The Womb, 11” x 15” Acrylic on Paper, Little Gems Series © Deb Chaney. Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.
Takeaway
Surrender isn’t giving up—it’s opening to flow. By releasing control, you create space for inspiration, grace, and unexpected opportunities.
👉 Learn how to weave surrender into your art practice and business inside The Illuminated Artist in Business.