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Why Holding On Is Harder Than Letting Go?

It might be painful, but it’s the key to growth

Emman James
Sentimentals
Published in
2 min readApr 6, 2024

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We are always caught up in the complexities of our lives, where we have attachments to people, places, and events that happened in Belize. These threads are what we cling onto as they lead us into unfamiliar territories should we dare to lose them. However, I would like to bring it to your attention that letting go is the ultimate freedom.

We humans tend towards the familiar even after it ceases to serve us. We hold on tightly to poisonous relationships, ancient hurtful memories and/ or beliefs not serving a purpose anymore with a desperate hope of finding solace therein. Actually, they weigh us down by stiffening our growth and dimming our light.

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“Every effort to hold on to something blocks the arrival of something new that could change your life.” — Luke Rineheart

So why is it so difficult to let go? Maybe because we’re afraid of losing part of ourselves. Perhaps it’s fear of emptiness and isolation or perhaps it’s fear of going off into unchartered territory without guidance.

But you see, here is truth; holding on only makes pain last longer. It ties us down from moving forward because we cannot appreciate beauty around us right now given that there endless choices awaiting us.

“You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” — Brené Brown

How then do we learn to have the courage to let go? Start with recognizing yourself. So, try and face our inner pack leader who is willing to step out. Allow for new starts. Accept life’s current. Take a good look at yourself and ask: What no longer serves me? What ways have it on my heart? What do I stand to gain by letting go?

Remember, letting go doesn’t imply weakness. It’s signifies courage, the power to relinquish what no longer supports us and welcome the Internet opportunities that lie ahead.

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Sentimentals
Sentimentals

Published in Sentimentals

Stories about life that sharpen social belonging, soften loneliness, and deepen our sense of meaning.

Emman James
Emman James

Written by Emman James

Creative storyteller crafting videos, blogs, podcasts, and music with purpose.