We have all kinds of excuses for holding onto what hurts us. Millions of reasons why this is the only way. Examples why we have no choice but to do it this way. Justifications galore for clutching tight, even though the sharp edges cut into our grasping hands.
Maybe it is a good thing gone sour.
Maybe it is something you ‘should’ do.
Maybe it was perfect……. once.
Maybe you were just trying to do the right thing. And the text books are wrong this time.
Maybe you don’t know any other way.
Maybe you are scared of the devil you don’t know.
Maybe you are afraid because you don’t know what comes next.
Maybe you want to hold onto your victimhood.
Maybe it serves someone else – someone you love.
Maybe you are afraid of being judged.
Maybe you can’t bring yourself to face the truth.
We all need help, coaxing and support to get past our doubts. Some fears, despite the hype, are more than tissue paper-thin. I know the taste of tears of defeat. I know how it feels to surrender the thing that no longer works. I know the pain you are accustomed to feels better than the empty throb of loss. But it is a life lesson to recognise when to let go.
7 lessons I learned from letting go:
- So many friends show up when you stop making love to enemies ( a Marianne Williamson quote that is so very true)
- It hurts a lot at first to turn it loose. Then the pain eases. The pain is just the numbness subsiding.
- You deserve comfort, dignity and peace. Life will never be rainbows and lollipops, so avoid the unnecessary pain.
- Pain shows us where the lesson is. And where the chapter ends.
- There is nothing weak about walking away when you need to. Many people don’t have the strength to do exactly that.
- Nobody likes a martyr.
- Admitting it hurts doesn’t make the ‘other’ bad or wrong.
What have you learned from letting go?

