How to Determine if It’s Time to Let Go
Why is it difficult to let go even if we need to?
Whether it’s a person, a job, an opportunity that passed, or painful memories, we tend to hold on even if it causes us pain. Sometimes it’s because of the comfort in the familiarity of discomfort.
While we don’t like our current situation, starting over again and reaching out to the unknown is more frightening than the usual pain. It’s difficult because sometimes we see the pain we experience as necessary for growth. We tell ourselves that everyone has some burden to bear, and this is ours. We play the role of a martyr and even blame ourselves because of the suffering we feel. It’s hard to let go because we are confused.
We think that if we let go, it might lead to regrets, so we hold on for as long as we can. We don’t let go because we don’t know if it’s the right thing to do.
To understand if you should hold on or let go, you must examine your situation. You should step back and weigh things out. Ask yourself this “If I hold on, is it worth it?”. Just bear in mind that being worth it is not about the gain of your resilience. It’s also about what you’re going to lose if keep going in the same direction. Are you losing yourself, your happiness, your freedom, or your dreams by holding on to something? You can assess how many times you tried and how the results ended up in those attempts. Ask yourself if you still want to continue knowing the risks that come with it. If yes, then hold on and don’t give up so easily. If no, it’s okay, there’s nothing to be ashamed of when you choose to let go.
Letting go isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Cutting people out of your life or simply allowing yourself to be free from the memories or places that only brings stress and sadness might be the best option. One must let go if you think that it’s not helping you grow and if holding on is constantly weighing you down and causing you more harm. If the feeling of exhaustion does not make you feel that fulfillment, if the stress is not bringing you closer to anything — except pure negativity, maybe it’s best to let go.
Just remember that when you let go, it’s not because you are weak. You let go because you want to grow and you have the humility to accept the reality that staying in the same place or situation won’t change anything. There is strength in that too — choosing to start new without the people or environment that you’re used to.
So if you decide to stop holding on, it’s fine. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Just don’t let go of your life because you are an amazing person with intrinsic worth and value who deserves love, success, and happiness. Hope this helps. Let us all bounceback together!
