Do I Hang On or Let Go?

How do you know when it's time to hold on or let go?

hold on or let go

Everybody faces the choice sometimes of whether to hold on or let go. Both have benefits. And everything has a season, so how do you know when it's time to hang on or when it's time to let go? 

Benefits of Seeing Things Through

Hard rules don't work for every situation. Context is king. So let's start by looking at the benefits of seeing things through.

Doing what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it builds character and trust.
Your relationships are better. People like those they can trust.
It builds self-esteem. Seeing things through teaches you that you are capable.
You learn, grow, and develop expertise. That puts you in a position to have other opportunities. 
You avoid the shame and embarrassment of letting yourself and others down.
How you do anything is how you do everything. If you are disciplined and stick with things, you will finish more things. That comes with a sense of accomplishment.
work out

Benefits of Letting Go

Letting go creates space, freedom, and opportunity to do, have, and be new things.
An empty mind is focused, energized, and free of stress, worry, and anxiety.
Releasing the past, old hurts, things, and people is an exercise in trusting yourself and the universe.
Letting go helps you to see that you are not your thoughts, relationships, emotions, things, family, or past.
Letting go allows you to be who you really are.

If both are good, how do you know when to hold on and when to let go? 

Context is king.

In the natural world, everything moves in a circle. Energies cycle. There is a time for birth, maturity, decline, death, rest and gestation. Then the whole cycle starts all over again.

The key in knowing whether to hold on or let go depends upon where you are in the cycle. If you give up on something at the beginning of the cycle because it's not flourishing yet, you have unrealistic expectations. It's not yet time for it to mature. It's still in the growth phase.

If you hold on to something that has ripened and peaked, expecting it to remain fresh and youthful, that's also unrealistic. So timing has a hand in knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

Look at things holistically. Consider the short term and long term impact of holding on and letting go. 

What do you want? What do you value? How will this impact anyone who is involved in your choice? Zoom out, and make the best choice.


Life's not a cookie cutter event. There are no hard and fast rules for how to live it. It's a dynamic adventure.

There are guidelines, however, that you can learn to make it easier, more fun, and help you to feel alive. Check out my podcast to start learning now.

Listen to the "Let It Go Now" Podcast

© 2022 Laura Giles, LLC.  All Rights Reserved

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