“Some people think it’s holding that makes one strong—sometimes it’s letting go.” -Unknown
Sometimes admitting that something is over can feel like defeat. After all, we hear a lot of messages that tell us to never give up–to hold on and keep fighting at all costs.
But if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll know when it’s time to move on.
You’ll know when a relationship no longer serves you, and you’re just staying because you’re too scared to leave. You’ll know when a job no longer makes you happy, but you’re staying because you think it will be hard to find something else. You’ll know when a business idea didn’t work, and it’s time to cut your losses and start the next thing.
Somewhere inside you, you always know.
You just have to stop ignoring the symptoms of your awareness or discontent, and decide it’s time to let go–of the relationship, the friendship, the job, the hobby, the idea, the religion, and in some cases, the illusion of something that you never even had to begin with.
Today if you’re unsure whether you should hold on or let go, create space and stillness and then ask yourself: If you were fully honest about your motivations and needs, and not letting your fear choose for you, which choice would you make?
Now all you need is the strength to make it. So the real question is: Are you strong enough to choose for your happiness?
Photo by zedmelody
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
I’ve recently written about the exact same thing on my blog!
http://yourethedeepestperson.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-do-you-do-when-something-is-so.html
Excellent. There is an element of personal responsibility here that I really like. We all have the choice to do what we do with our lives. It’s certainly easier said than done sometimes, but I think by cultivating the right mindset and personal responsibility, we can let happiness come int our lives instead of unintentionally blocking it out through our habitual, self-defeating patterns.
Yes, letting go is very, very hard. Especially when you have invested so much time and energy into the relationship. It makes you feel like a loser, a failure. It takes real inner strength to break free and take a step forward.
Thanks for the link Joanne! I’m also a compulsive over thinker–and I love your blog title. =)
Hi Nate,
I am all about personal responsibility. I have learned that even though there is a lot we can’t control in life, we have far more power than we think. We just need to remember to use it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Lori
It’s so ironic, but true–sometimes true winning is learning to be OK with being a “loser.”
Seems this article was written just for me:)
[…] I learned that part of strength is knowing when to let go. […]
Aww i need strenght, hope to be a better great wonder beautiful person right now.
Hi Mosh,
I’m sure you are stronger, more wonderful, and more beautiful than you think. I suspect we all are–we can be so hard on ourselves. Sending you love and light!
Lori