One of the hardest things a person can do is to let go. Whether you’re letting go of a toxic friendship, a doomed relationship, an exhausting occupation, or simply even the memory of a relative who has passed on.
Letting go is simply one of the hardest things a person can do. Most of us can’t let go of people and even prized possessions. While it is easy to scoff at this very human trait present in all of us, it can be very frustrating when we find ourselves faced with a similar predicament. It’s hard letting go. Especially if all you’ve ever known is holding on.
Of course, it is easier for several people to let go compared to others. But this unique strength comes from a place of experience and self-realization. No one’s born with an inert ability to let go. You just have to discover what you consider important enough to hold on to. Some of us are lucky and we can easily distinguish between what’s worth it and what’s not. For some people, it’s as clear as day.
For others, not so much. But what can we do about this? It’s easier to let go of a dream that is clearly improbable and unlikely compared to a person or what said person represents.
But we’ve all got to move on and let go at one point. Every relationship, whether it’s platonic or romantic; every dream, whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a short-term goal, has its limits, and sometimes we’re not able to see it through. It doesn’t matter if it’s our fault, someone else’s, or because of factors we could’ve never controlled.
As people, we need to move on. And what better way to do so than by identifying situations that call for this to happen.
So, How Do You Know When To Truly Let Go?
You Feel As Though Exhausted All The Time
Unfortunately, most of us often misinterpret feeling exhausted as feeling “tired” from “working hard.” The consensus these days is that you need to work very hard to reach your goals.
The same thing can be said about relationships. There’s been a recent surge in the belief system that if you want something, you better work hard and get it or die trying. Some people think that just because they’re exhausted at the end of the day, they’re doing something right.
However, there’s a difference between being physically tired due to the strenuous activities you’ve performed to achieve your goals, and feeling so drained that you don’t have the motivation to wake up the next morning. It’s hard to distinguish between these two feelings. However, if you feel as though your hard work has no end, it might be a good time to re-evaluate your judgment.
You’re Constantly Giving
This works for almost everything. If you feel as though you’re undervalued in a relationship, office setting, or anything for the matter, then chances are, you’re more invested. If your job requires you to compromise time with loved ones, but you don’t see any profit or appreciation or promotion, then it’s quite clear that you’re sacrificing everything for something that isn’t worth it.
Everything comes at a cost- that’s true- and sometimes results come much, much later. However, this doesn’t mean that you should sacrifice years of your life for something that has never given you even the slightest hope of- well, anything.
There’s a difference between having long-term goals or having a partner with trust issues and not seeing the result of your commitment. It might take a year, but if something is worth it, you’ll see progress.
It might be the kind of progress where you’re taking a few steps forwards in one department and maybe a few steps back in another department. But even in such a situation, you’ll see something. Similarly, if you can’t remember the last time, you received anything in return, then you’re probably giving too much.
When There Are Better Alternative Options Available
As humans, we’re not the kind of species that sits around to think of alternatives when things get rough. We think of solutions. For example, during this pandemic, a lot of people were let go by thousands of companies.
Horrible situation to be in, and it’s something someone from every socio-economic background can relate to. However, people who were laid off didn’t think of what a better life they’d have if they were doctors who were in high demand during the pandemic.
Instead, they’d looked at other options- remote opportunities, establishing their own businesses, doing something part-time, and so on- to make do of a situation that was no one’s fault. Some even discovered that they liked other things better. This isn’t an example of letting go- it’s an example of making the best of a very bad situation.
However, as stated, no one thought about every life decision they could’ve taken to become a doctor instead of their current profession. If you’re the person thinking about the doctor in any situation, then you’re already aware of an alternative.
That’s your queue. Whether you accept it or not, subconsciously, you know that you can do better, that you deserve something better. Letting go is difficult, but it’s not impossible. All you have to do is believe that better things will come your way. So, grab the opportunity in front of you and move on!
