You’ve probably seen it on a wrist or a collarbone. Maybe it was in that thin, elegant cursive that’s all over Pinterest, or maybe it was a bit more rugged, tucked away on someone’s ribs. The let it be then let it go tattoo isn't just a trend. Honestly, it’s a whole philosophy wrapped in a few inches of skin. People get it because life is messy. We’re all walking around carrying stuff we shouldn’t, and sometimes we need a permanent reminder to just quit it.
It’s two distinct commands.
First, you accept the reality. Then, you release the grip. Simple, right? Except it’s actually the hardest thing in the world to do when you’re in the middle of a breakup, a career pivot, or a bout of grief.
The weird psychology behind the let it be then let it go tattoo
Most people think of "Let It Be" and immediately hear Paul McCartney’s voice in their head. That song, written during the friction-filled end of The Beatles, was inspired by a dream Paul had about his mother, Mary. It was about finding peace in the middle of chaos. But the let it be then let it go tattoo adds a second layer that the song doesn't explicitly tackle: the active choice to move on.
Acceptance isn't the same as moving forward.
You can "let it be" and still stay stuck in the mud, staring at the problem. Adding "then let it go" is the kicker. It’s the action phase. Psychologists often talk about "Radical Acceptance," a concept popularized by Marsha Linehan, the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Radical acceptance is about not fighting reality. It’s saying, "Okay, this happened." Once that’s done, you have the mental space to actually let the weight drop.
Getting this tattooed is a way of externalizing that internal struggle. It’s like a visual anchor. When the anxiety kicks in and you start obsessing over something you can't change, you look down at your arm. It's a circuit breaker.
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Why the order of the words actually matters
If you just "let go" without "letting it be," you're usually just suppressing things. That’s toxic positivity. You can’t skip the part where you acknowledge the pain or the situation. If you try to force yourself to move on before you’ve accepted the reality of the situation, the emotions just come back later, usually louder and angrier.
The "let it be" part is the grace.
The "let it go" part is the freedom.
I've talked to tattoo artists in shops from Austin to Brooklyn, and they say this specific phrasing—combining the two—started popping up more frequently in the last five or six years. It’s a hybrid. It bridges the gap between 1960s stoicism and modern mindfulness.
Design choices that don’t look like everyone else’s
Let’s be real: script tattoos can get a bit "live, laugh, love" if you aren't careful. If you want a let it be then let it go tattoo, you have to think about the typography.
A lot of people go for the "fineline" style. It’s beautiful, sure. It looks delicate. But fineline ink fades faster than traditional styles. If you get it too small, in ten years, it might just look like a blurry gray smudge. You want something with enough "breathing room" between the letters so the ink has space to settle over time.
- Minimalist Typewriter: This feels more like a factual statement. It’s grounded. It doesn't try to be pretty; it just tells the truth.
- Ambigrams: These are tricky but cool. You could have one phrase read one way and the other read when you flip your arm. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a clever one.
- Integration with imagery: Some people use a lotus flower or a dandelion losing its seeds. The dandelion is a bit of a cliché in the tattoo world, but clichés exist because they work. The seeds flying away is the literal embodiment of letting go.
- Handwriting: This is the most personal route. Use the handwriting of someone who taught you how to be resilient. Maybe a grandmother or a mentor. It turns the tattoo into a tribute as much as a mantra.
Placement is another big deal. If this is a reminder for you, put it somewhere you can see without a mirror. The inner forearm or the top of the wrist is prime real estate. If it’s on your back, it’s for the world, not for your own mental health during a 3:00 AM spiral.
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The "Let It Be" vs. "Let It Go" debate
There’s a subtle tension between these two ideas. "Let it be" suggests a certain level of passivity. It’s the "Que Sera, Sera" vibe. Whatever happens, happens. It’s very Zen.
"Let it go" is much more aggressive. It’s a verb. It requires you to unclench your metaphorical fist.
When you combine them into a let it be then let it go tattoo, you’re creating a workflow for your brain. You’re saying, "I will acknowledge this, and then I will dismiss it." It’s a process. People who have gone through recovery or walked through the fire of a major life loss often find this phrasing more resonant than just a single-word tattoo like "Breathe" or "Relentless." It’s more honest about the effort required.
Mistakes to avoid before you hit the chair
Don’t rush the font selection. Go to a site like DaFont or Google Fonts and type the phrase in. Look at it for a week. See if the way the "g" loops or the "t" crosses starts to annoy you.
Also, consider the size. Small tattoos are "in," but skin is a living organ. It moves. It stretches. It ages. If your let it be then let it go tattoo is too tiny, the "e" and the "o" will eventually fill in with ink. Talk to your artist about "longevity." A good artist will tell you if your idea is too small to last. If they just say "yeah, sure" without explaining how ink spreads, find a different artist.
The cultural weight of the phrase
We live in a culture of "hustle" and "grind." We’re told to grab life by the horns and never give up. In that context, a let it be then let it go tattoo is actually a bit rebellious. It’s an admission that you aren't in control of everything.
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It’s an antidote to the "main character syndrome" where we think we can manifest every outcome. Sometimes, you can’t manifest a win. Sometimes, the only thing you can manifest is your own sanity by walking away.
Think about the sheer number of people who got "Let It Go" tattoos after the Disney movie Frozen came out in 2013. For a while, that phrase was synonymous with Elsa. But the let it be then let it go tattoo pulls it back into a more mature, contemplative space. It’s less about "shooting ice from your fingers" and more about "not letting my past ruin my dinner."
Does it actually help?
There is something called the "Hawthorne Effect," where people change their behavior because they know they’re being watched. In a way, a tattoo is you watching yourself.
When you have these words etched into your body, you feel a slight pressure to live up to them. If you’re spiraling into a fight with your partner over something that happened three years ago, and you see "let it go" on your hand, it’s a literal reality check. It’s harder to stay angry when your own skin is telling you to chill out.
Finalizing your vision for the ink
If you're serious about getting a let it be then let it go tattoo, start by looking at your favorite books or poems. Look for a font that matches the "voice" of the phrase in your head. Is it a whisper? Use a light, airy script. Is it a firm command? Use a bold, serif font.
Don't be afraid to break the phrase up. Maybe "let it be" goes on the left wrist and "then let it go" goes on the right. It represents the passage of time—the "then" becomes the space between your two arms.
Actionable steps for your tattoo journey
- Audit your "why": Sit with the phrase for thirty days. If you still feel like it’s the solution to your mental clutter after a month, it’s a winner.
- Find a script specialist: Not every tattoo artist is good at lettering. Look at portfolios specifically for clean lines and consistent spacing. If their "o"s look like "a"s, keep moving.
- Test the placement: Use a fine-tip Sharpie and have a friend write it on you. Leave it there for two days. See how it looks when you're wearing your favorite watch or when you're at the gym.
- Think about the "Then": Decide if you want the word "then" included. Some people find the two-part phrase more rhythmic without it, while others need that temporal marker to show the sequence of healing.
- Prepare for the "What does that mean?" question: People will ask. Tattoos are conversation starters. If you aren't prepared to occasionally share a snippet of your philosophy, put it somewhere hidden like your ribs or thigh.
Ultimately, this tattoo is a commitment to a softer way of living. It’s a rejection of the idea that we have to carry every burden we’ve ever picked up. It's okay to drop the bags. In fact, it's necessary if you want to keep walking.
Go find an artist who understands the weight of those words. Get the lines clean. And then, when it’s done, take a breath and follow the instructions on your skin.