National Let It Go Day
June 23
About National Let It Go Day
National Let It Go Day takes place every year on 23 June, and in 2026 it falls on a Tuesday. The day encourages people to release grudges, regrets, worries, and physical and digital clutter that no longer serve them, using the midpoint of the year as a natural moment to reset and move forward with a lighter outlook.
How to Celebrate National Let It Go Day
The beauty of National Let It Go Day is that it asks very little of you beyond a bit of honesty and a willingness to move on. Here are some practical and satisfying ways to take part:
- Write it down and bin it – List the worries, regrets, or resentments weighing on you, then physically tear up the paper and throw it away. The simple act of destroying the list gives your brain a clear signal that you are done carrying it.
- Forgive an old grudge – Choose one person you have been holding a grudge against and consciously decide to release it. Forgiveness is rarely about excusing the other person; it is about reclaiming the mental space that resentment quietly occupies.
- Declutter one room or drawer – Tackle a space that has been bothering you and donate, recycle, or discard what you no longer need. A tidier environment often translates into a calmer mind.
- Clear your digital clutter – Delete the apps you never open, unsubscribe from email lists you ignore, and clear out a chaotic photo roll or downloads folder. Digital mess is just as draining as the physical kind.
- Let go of a number or an old message – Many people use the day to finally delete an ex-partner’s contact details or an old text thread that keeps pulling them backwards.
- Apologise or accept an apology – If there is an apology you owe, today is a good prompt to offer it. Equally, accept an apology you have been sitting on, even if it arrives awkwardly.
- Have a karaoke moment – Gather friends and belt out a song or two. Many revellers reach for the famous “Let It Go” anthem from Disney’s Frozen, even though the day predates the film.
- Practise a short letting-go meditation – Spend ten minutes breathing slowly and visualising a worry drifting away with each exhale. Even a brief reset can shift how the rest of the day feels.
What is National Let It Go Day?
National Let It Go Day is an annual observance dedicated to the simple but powerful idea of releasing whatever holds you back. That might be an old argument, a lingering regret, a habit of self-criticism, or the cupboard full of things you keep meaning to sort out. The day is deliberately broad, so it speaks to anyone who feels weighed down by the past. Falling at the halfway mark of the year, it doubles as a mid-year companion to the fresh-start energy of New Year’s resolutions, offering a chance to put down what is no longer worth carrying.
When is National Let It Go Day?
National Let It Go Day is observed on 23 June every year. In 2026 that date lands on a Tuesday. The date is fixed, so it never moves, and the timing in late June places it neatly at the centre of the calendar year, which is part of its appeal as a moment for reflection and release.
The History of National Let It Go Day
National Let It Go Day is credited to Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, the prolific American husband-and-wife team behind a long list of offbeat observances. They created the day to encourage people around the world to forgive themselves for events in the past and to set down their worries, with the broader aim of helping people find a little more contentment and peace.
A common assumption is that the day grew out of the 2013 Disney film Frozen and its chart-topping song “Let It Go”. In fact the observance came first, so the two are linked by coincidence rather than design. The film’s enormous popularity simply gave the day an unofficial anthem, and the song now frequently soundtracks how people mark the occasion.
Like many of the Roys’ creations, National Let It Go Day spread largely through word of mouth, calendar listings, and social media rather than any formal campaign. Its message has aged well: as conversations about mental wellbeing, decluttering, and digital overload have grown louder, a day devoted to releasing what no longer serves you has found a ready audience.
Fun Facts About National Let It Go Day
- The day was founded by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, who are responsible for dozens of quirky observances throughout the year.
- Despite the obvious connection people make, the day existed before Disney’s Frozen and its “Let It Go” song were released in 2013.
- It falls on 23 June, almost exactly at the midpoint of the calendar year, making it a natural moment for a mid-year reset.
- The day has no single official charity or organisation behind it, which is part of why people interpret “letting go” so personally, from clearing clutter to forgiving old grudges.
- Research into forgiveness consistently links the act of letting go of resentment with lower stress and better emotional wellbeing, giving the lighthearted day a genuine grounding.
- It sits alongside a small family of similar observances, including National Get Over It Day in March, reflecting how popular the theme of moving on has become.
Why National Let It Go Day Matters
Even a tongue-in-cheek observance can carry a worthwhile message. Holding onto grudges, regrets, and clutter takes up real mental and physical space, and the day gives people a gentle, low-pressure nudge to clear some of it out. By tying the idea to a specific date, it turns a vague intention into a concrete prompt, which is often all it takes to finally act. If you enjoy days that focus on feeling better and living lighter, you might also like World Wellbeing Week, which begins the very next day and broadens the conversation to wellbeing in all its forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Let It Go Day?
National Let It Go Day is an annual observance that encourages people to release grudges, regrets, worries, and clutter that hold them back. It is about forgiving yourself and others, tidying your space, and moving forward with a clearer mind.
When is National Let It Go Day in 2026?
National Let It Go Day is on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 23 June every year.
Is National Let It Go Day connected to the Frozen song?
Not originally. The day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays before Disney’s Frozen and its “Let It Go” song arrived in 2013. The two are now linked by coincidence, and the song has become an informal anthem for the day.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share what you are finally letting go of on social media with #LetItGoDay and #LetItGoDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to release a grudge, clear a drawer, or delete that old message too. If you fancy a follow-up, the resilience-building theme of Resilience Week earlier in the month pairs nicely with the spirit of moving on.
Related Awareness Days
- World Wellbeing Week – A week-long focus on wellbeing in every area of life, starting the day after Let It Go Day.
- Resilience Week – An observance dedicated to building the mental strength that helps people bounce back and move forward.
- Happy Heart Hugs Day – A warm, feel-good day later in June about connection, comfort, and lifting one another up.
Links
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