Let It Go: Releasing What No Longer Serves You
I’ve stayed in most of my romantic relationships longer than I should have.
Not because they were great. Not because I thought they would last forever. But because letting go felt harder than holding on. Even when I knew deep down that it was over, I stayed. I convinced myself that if I just tried harder, if I just made a few more adjustments, things would change. But they didn’t.
And looking back, I realize something: I wasn’t staying for love. I was staying because of fear, comfort, and expectation. Because walking away meant admitting that it was time to start over. It meant releasing the version of the story I had in my head and facing the unknown instead. And if I’m honest? That felt like failure.
But it wasn’t failure. It was clarity. And the real mistake wasn’t in letting go—it was in holding on long after I knew I shouldn’t.
Why Do We Hold On to Things That No Longer Serve Us?
It’s not just relationships. It’s jobs, friendships, old habits, outdated dreams—things that once made sense but no longer fit.
So why do we cling to them?
Fear of change – Even when something isn’t working, it’s familiar. And familiar feels safe.
Guilt – You’ve invested time, energy, and effort. Walking away feels like throwing all of that away.
Expectation – You told yourself (or others) that this was the plan. Changing direction feels like failure.
Identity – You’ve wrapped yourself up in this thing. Letting go means figuring out who you are without it.
The Moment You Know It’s Time to Let Go
Sometimes, the signs are subtle. Other times, they slap you in the face. Either way, there’s always a moment when you realize this is no longer it.
You feel drained instead of fulfilled. What used to bring you joy now feels like a burden.
You’re staying out of obligation, not desire. You “should” do it, but you don’t actually want to.
You’ve already disconnected emotionally. You checked out long before you admitted it out loud.
It no longer fits who you’re becoming. Growth means evolving. Not everything grows with you.
And here’s the hard part: Realizing it’s time doesn’t make letting go easy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
Releasing Without Guilt
Here’s what I’ve learned about letting go: It’s not quitting. It’s not failure. It’s making space.
Instead of thinking about what you’re losing, think about what you’re making room for.
Instead of holding onto what was, trust what’s ahead.
Instead of forcing something that no longer fits, give yourself permission to move on.
Because the truth is? You don’t have to carry something just because you once did. You don’t have to keep pouring into things that no longer pour into you. And you don’t have to stay just because leaving is uncomfortable.
When you release what no longer serves you, you make room for what does. And what’s meant for you? It won’t require you to shrink, suffer, or second-guess yourself.
So if you’ve been holding on longer than you should, let this be your sign: You can let go now.
‘Cause wah fi yuh, cyaan un fi yuh.
~Meisha
