When to Let Go

Do you have a hard time letting go of situations, people, or relationships that repeatedly stress you out, or even harm you? You might have thought this to yourself, or even had folks close to you offer this feedback. Maybe you’ve even wanted to make needed changes, but you just haven’t been able to do so. Why?

My guess is that there’s an important, underlying need or value at play. Is it the value of family? Community? Engaging rather than avoiding conflict? Maybe you simply want connection and belonging, and it’s better to have these relationships than none at all (or so you tell yourself). But at what cost?

We’re in election season here in the U.S., and many of us may feel the pull to engage and lean into hard conversations. Is that a good thing? Sure! But sometimes, we may need to pull away, rest, and take care of ourselves. Seeking these things is okay. You don’t always need to engage. You don’t always need to be the “bigger person.” Sometimes, you can and should simply walk away - for a time, or maybe forever, depending on the situation.

Consider this a permission slip - from me to you, but really from you to yourself - to step back. Take a break. Rest and recoup. It’s only from a place of rest that you’ll be able to engage again. Being human requires balance, ebbs and flows. You’re worth balance, and all the things it will provide.