Understanding Cord Cutting: Releasing Unhealthy Attachments: Denver, Colorado

Erika Baum
Sep 4, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Dec 28, 2024

Have you ever felt weighed down by a past relationship or experience, even long after it's ended?

Maybe you're still thinking about an ex, dealing with family conflict, or holding onto old wounds from a friendship that soured.

These emotional ties can hold us back and keep us stuck in patterns of pain and distress.

One powerful spiritual and psychological tool used to release these bonds is called cord cutting.

What Is Cord Cutting?

Cord cutting is a practice rooted in the idea that we form energetic attachments, or “cords,” to people and experiences in our lives.

These cords represent the emotional, mental, or spiritual ties that bind us to others.

While some connections are healthy and nurturing, others can become toxic or draining over time.

Cord cutting is a symbolic way to release these unhealthy attachments, helping us regain emotional freedom and reclaim our energy.

How Does Cord Cutting Work?

Cord cutting can be both a spiritual ritual and a psychological exercise.

The process involves visualizing or meditating on the cord connecting you to a person, event, or even a past version of yourself.

By intentionally "cutting" that cord, you send a clear message to your mind and spirit that you are ready to let go of the attachment and move forward.

While the ritual may vary depending on your spiritual beliefs or practices, some common steps include:

Setting an intention: Be clear about what or whom you are releasing. This can involve acknowledging the pain, resentment, or unhealthy dynamics in the relationship.

Visualization: Imagine the energetic cord connecting you to the person or experience. Visualize yourself cutting or severing that cord, often with the help of a symbolic tool like scissors or light.

Releasing and healing: After cutting the cord, take a moment to honor the release and fill the space with love, forgiveness, or healing energy. You may also choose to say a prayer, affirmation, or mantra to reinforce your intention.

The Benefits of Cord Cutting

Cord cutting can offer both emotional and spiritual relief. Some of the benefits include:

Emotional Release: Letting go of lingering emotions tied to past relationships can bring a sense of emotional freedom and clarity.

Energy Restoration: By cutting cords to people or situations that drain you, you free up your energy for healing and personal growth.

Mental Clarity: Releasing unhealthy attachments can lead to better focus, improved mood, and a greater sense of peace.

Healing from Trauma: For those healing from relational trauma or toxic relationships, cord cutting can be a powerful way to reclaim your power and set healthy emotional boundaries.

When Should You Consider Cord Cutting?

Cord cutting can be helpful in a variety of situations, including:

After the end of a romantic relationship
Following a toxic friendship or family conflict
When you feel weighed down by past experiences or traumas
If you notice recurring patterns of emotional attachment that no longer serve you

It’s important to note that cord cutting does not mean erasing memories or pretending a relationship never existed.

Instead, it is about releasing the emotional grip that the attachment has on you, allowing for healing and closure.

Integrating Cord Cutting Into Therapy

As a relational trauma therapist, I often work with clients who are dealing with the weight of unresolved relationships and emotional wounds.

While cord cutting is often viewed as a spiritual practice, it can also be integrated into therapy as a symbolic exercise for releasing the past and creating space for healing.

Combining cord cutting with trauma-informed therapy techniques, such as EMDR, can deepen the emotional and energetic release, supporting clients on their path to recovery.

Cord cutting can also complement other therapeutic modalities that address attachment issues, such as EFT Tapping and DBT, helping clients feel more grounded and in control of their emotional responses.