Best Self Help Books for Letting Go of the Past (2026)

When an old argument keeps replaying in your head, the best self help books for letting go of the past are the ones that match what is holding you. We compared each Amazon listing on fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and any stated reading age, so you can match a book to your own situation or to someone you are buying for.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Art of Letting Go by Zahariades	9.7/10	Buy
2	The Art of Letting Go by Grant	9.7/10	Buy
3	Letting Go by Hawkins	9.6/10	Buy
4	Letting Go Of Your Past by Sandford	9.5/10	Buy
5	Power of Letting Go by Martin	9.3/10	Buy

1

The Art of Letting Go by Zahariades

Damon Zahariades·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader who wants a toolkit of strategies for painful memories and regret, each with an exercise.

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Pros

• Built directly around letting go of the past and painful memories
• 21 strategies plus 3 bonus strategies, each with an exercise, per the description
• Explains why people idealize the past and cling to pain, per the description

Cons

• Independently published, with no reading age or grade level stated
• Book 2 of 4, so it is one part of a series
• Regret, resentment and painful memories run through the description, which can feel heavy

2

The Art of Letting Go by Grant

Eric Grant·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader who replays old mistakes and guilt and wants quick-reference practices for daily life.

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Pros

• Covers letting go of past mistakes, guilt and old wounds
• 27-tool appendix of quick-reference practices, per the listing
• Published June 14, 2025, the most recent date among these picks

Cons

• Covers anxiety and overthinking as much as the past, so it is broader
• Book 1 of 6 in The Empowered Living Series, so more books follow
• No reading age or grade level is stated, so judge difficulty from the description

3

Letting Go by Hawkins

David R. Hawkins MD/PHD·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader open to a spiritual framing who wants a surrender-based method for everyday life.

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Pros

• Describes surrender as a method that can be used in everyday life
• 400 pages in one volume, the longest of these picks
• Published by Hay House LLC on January 15, 2014

Cons

• Topics reach enlightenment and career and health goals, wider than the past
• Listed as Book 9 of 9 in a series, so the listing places it late in the set
• Lists recovery from addiction among its benefits, a mature theme to check

4

Letting Go Of Your Past by Sandford

John Loren Sandford·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader who wants a scripture-based approach to letting go of habits and hurts from past relationships.

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Pros

• 240 pages, a full-length volume
• Applies scriptural principles to past relationships, including family ones
• Describes practical steps for healthy relationships after past hurts

Cons

• Older edition, dated December 10, 2007, so check for a newer one
• Scripture and God are central to the approach, which not every reader wants
• Part of a four-book collection, so reading order matters

5

Power of Letting Go by Martin

Rev. J Martin·9.3/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a faith-based reader who wants a short guide to setting down the past and letting God lead.

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Pros

• 28 pages, the shortest of these picks, for a reader who wants a brief read
• Frames letting go around faith and trusting God, as the title says
• Includes stories of people who struggled with letting go, per the description

Cons

• 28 pages gives less material than the longer picks
• Description names no specific exercises or strategies
• No reading age or grade level is stated

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More picks to compare

• Letting Go by BulmezFor adults stuck replaying a betrayal, with practical exercises and journaling prompts.Check on Amazon
• Letting Go of the Past by NicollsFor readers who want overthinking, anxiety and forgiveness covered in one practical guide.Check on Amazon
• You Can Let Go by HooverFor Christian readers who want to make peace with past hurts and offense.Check on Amazon
• How to Let Go of Resentment by MuzquizFor women working through resentment, with step-by-step exercises and a focus on healing.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. None of these picks states a reading age or grade level, so the scores rest on fit, contents and edition, and value. The weights are set out on our How we pick page.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best self help books for letting go of the past

Match the book to the hurt

A recent, sharp hurt pairs well with a practical book that gives exercises, such as The Art of Letting Go by Grant or by Zahariades. For an old grudge, see best self help books for forgiving yourself, and for a breakup, see best self help books for getting over a relationship.

Decide on a faith-based frame

Power of Letting Go by Martin and Letting Go Of Your Past by Sandford center God and scripture. Neither the Grant nor the Zahariades listing names a faith-based approach.

Check length and series order

Letting Go by Hawkins runs 400 pages, while Power of Letting Go by Martin is 28 pages. Several picks are part of a series, so confirm the position on the listing before you buy.

Before you buy

• Check the publication date: Letting Go Of Your Past by Sandford is listed as December 10, 2007, the oldest date among the picks.
• Confirm the series position: The Art of Letting Go by Zahariades is listed as Book 2 of 4, and the Grant listing as Book 1 of 6.
• Read the description for the themes you want, since none of these listings states a reading age or grade level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start with letting go of the past?

Start with the listing whose description matches your hurt. The Zahariades listing focuses on painful memories, and the Grant listing focuses on overthinking and guilt.

What reading age do these books suit?

None of the picks lists a reading age or grade level, so read the description to judge fit for your reader.

Which edition should I buy?

Choose the newest listing with a clear date, such as the Grant listing published June 14, 2025. The Sandford listing is dated December 10, 2007, so check for a newer edition.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Art of Letting Go by Zahariades

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