I recently had a conversation with a friend about how hard it can be to let things go. We were talking about clients that are no longer aligned, but this fits with all aspects of our lives, personally and professionally. Why do we often let things go long past the expiration date?
I often find it hard to turn away from people and things that I’ve invested time in. This could be a friend or friend group, client, or even a family member. It’s hard to let go when so much time and energy has been invested. Many times I said things to myself like:
- “This is fine”
- “Just get through this rough spot, and things will get better”
- “You need this, so do whatever it takes to make it work”
Over the last few years, I’ve had a number of experiences that have challenged this. Clients that I allowed to continue on too long, relationships that were no longer working, holding on because there wasn’t any one thing that made you think you needed to let that person or thing go. But in reality, once we have the thought about letting something go, most likely, we should. It’s important to pay attention to your instinct on these things because if you hold on too tight to something that is no longer working, your hands aren’t open to accept better things.
Putting a period at the end of a relationship or experience means it’s over. No more. Finished. Complete. It doesn’t make any sense to keep going back there, to whatever ‘there’ is, if it’s finished. Doing this can cause us to not be open to better experiences, experiences that are better for us in this season of our lives and moving forward. Let the period be the end of all experiences. Take the key lessons, and move on.
People and experiences come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When the reason or season is over, it’s important to let it go to make room for people and experiences that you should have right now. Recognizing this and more importantly, acting on it, are critical for us to live life true.
Where in your life should you put a period at the end of a relationship or experience? What steps can you take to make that happen?
Sometimes people do or say hurtful things because they’re having a tough time. But, if I have to take the “high road” or be the “better person” multiple times, my empathy wears thin real quick. I think whether it’s worth my energy to put myself out there again. Now in my 50s, I feel much more at ease with letting some folks go. Some relationships are worth fighting for, but others have a time limit.
Agree with you 100%! I think the older I get, the more I realize that some people are in our lives for a reason or a season, and it’s best to let some people go.