There’s a fine line between holding on and holding back.
Holding on to things can often be a comfort, but it can also stop us from moving forward. When we hold onto things that no longer serve us, we prevent ourselves from growing and evolving.
The truth is, there are certain things we’d be better off letting go of sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, most of us realize this when it’s too late and are left with a lingering feeling of regret.
In this article, I’m going to share with you 8 things you will inevitably regret not letting go of sooner. And hopefully, this will help you make the decision to let go when it’s needed. After all, it’s never too late to start making better choices for yourself.
1) Unhealthy relationships
We’ve all been there, sticking around in relationships that drain us more than they uplift us.
The truth is, not all relationships – whether they’re romantic, familial, or friendships – are good for us. Some are toxic, some are one-sided, and some just suck the life out of us.
But we hold on – out of fear of being alone, out of guilt, or simply out of habit. In the long run however, these relationships only bring us down and hinder our growth.
The regret? Not ending these relationships sooner. The moment you realize that you’ve wasted precious time and energy on a relationship that was not serving you well, regret kicks in.
So it’s better to let go of unhealthy relationships sooner than later. Remember, it’s not selfish to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. It’s necessary. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
2) Grudges
Let me share a personal story with you. A few years back, I had a falling out with a close friend over something that seemed significant at the time. We both held onto that grudge for years, both too stubborn to reach out and make amends.
Time passed, and eventually, we lost touch completely. I spent those years holding onto bitterness and resentment, letting it affect my mood, my other relationships, and my overall happiness.
Then one day I realized, holding onto this grudge was doing nothing but harming me. The person I was upset with had moved on, and the only one still feeling the pain was me.
So, I decided to let go of the grudge. I reached out to my friend, we talked it out, and were able to mend our friendship. The relief was immediate – like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
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Looking back, I regret not letting go of that grudge sooner. It would have saved me so much heartache and wasted energy. Now I know, holding onto grudges isn’t worth it. Life’s too short to hold onto negativity.
3) The idea of perfection
Perfection is a myth. It’s an unattainable standard that we often set for ourselves only to be left feeling disappointed and inadequate when we inevitably fail to meet it.
Interestingly, studies have shown that striving for perfection can actually hinder performance and lead to poor mental health. Yet, many of us hold onto this idea, torturing ourselves with the constant fear of not being good enough.
Letting go of the need for perfection can be liberating. It allows us to accept our flaws, learn from our mistakes, and embrace our unique selves. It leads to self-acceptance and growth – two things far more valuable than any imagined notion of perfection.
So don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed with pressure – let go of the idea of perfection sooner rather than later. You’ll be surprised at the peace it brings you.
4) Past mistakes
We all make mistakes, it’s part of being human. However, dwelling on these mistakes and beating ourselves up over them doesn’t change the past. It only robs us of our present happiness.
Letting go of past mistakes doesn’t mean forgetting them, rather it means acknowledging them, learning from them and then moving on. It means forgiving yourself and realizing that you did the best you could at that time with the knowledge and skills you had.
The regret comes when you realize you’ve spent years punishing yourself for something that’s long gone, something you can’t change.
So let go of your past mistakes sooner. It’s okay to make mistakes, but it’s not okay to let those mistakes define you. Remember, every day is a chance to start fresh and make better choices.
5) The fear of change
Change is inevitable, yet so many of us fear it. We cling to the familiar, to what we know, even if it’s not serving us well. We resist change because it’s unknown, and the unknown can be scary.
But here’s the thing – change is also the key to growth. It’s how we learn, how we adapt, how we evolve. Without change, we remain stagnant.
The regret comes when we look back and realize that our fear of change held us back from opportunities, experiences, and growth. We regret not embracing change sooner and seeing where it could have led us.
So let go of your fear of change sooner rather than later. Embrace it, welcome it, and see it for what it truly is – an opportunity for something new and potentially wonderful. Life is a journey full of twists and turns, don’t be afraid to take them.
6) Self-doubt
For the longest time, I was my own worst critic. I would constantly second-guess myself, doubting my abilities and undermining my own successes. It was as if a little voice in my head kept telling me that I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or talented enough.
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This self-doubt held me back in so many ways. It stopped me from pursuing opportunities, from expressing myself fully, from truly believing in my potential.
One day, I made the conscious decision to silence that doubting voice. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. But gradually, I learned to trust myself, to believe in my abilities and to celebrate my achievements.
Looking back, I regret not letting go of self-doubt sooner. The time and energy spent doubting could have been used to create, to learn, to grow.
Don’t wait as long as I did. Let go of self-doubt sooner rather than later. Believe in yourself and your potential – you are capable of more than you think.
7) Living up to others’ expectations
From a young age, we’re often taught to conform to societal norms and expectations. Whether it’s about our career choices, our relationships, or even our lifestyle, we’re conditioned to strive for what’s considered “acceptable” or “successful” by others.
But living your life based on other people’s expectations can lead to discontent and regret. It can prevent you from pursuing your passions, expressing your true self, and ultimately, from living a life that truly fulfills you.
Sooner or later, you’ll realize that the only expectations you need to live up to are your own. That’s when the regret of not letting go of others’ expectations sooner kicks in.
So let go of trying to please everyone else. It’s your life, live it on your terms. Trust me, there’s immense freedom and joy in being true to yourself.
8) Not living in the present
Life is happening right here, right now. Yet, so many of us are either stuck in the past or constantly planning for the future, forgetting to actually live in the present.
The thing about not living in the present is that it robs you of the joy of now. It prevents you from fully experiencing and appreciating the present moment.
When you look back, you’ll realize that you missed out on so much because you were too busy dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. That’s when you’ll regret not letting go of this habit sooner.
So let go of anything that’s not allowing you to live in the present. Embrace every moment, savour it, live it. After all, now is all we truly have.
Final thoughts: It’s all about letting go
Life is a constant ebb and flow of experiences, emotions, and relationships. It’s a journey that’s equally filled with joy and pain, love and loss, success and failures. And while it’s natural to hold on to things, it’s equally important to know when to let them go.
As renowned spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle once said, “Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”
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This sentiment resonates deeply in the context of our discussion. Whether it’s unhealthy relationships, grudges, self-doubt, or not living in the present – letting go of these things earlier rather than later can save us from a great deal of regret.
But remember, it’s never too late to let go. It’s never too late to choose peace over conflict, growth over stagnation, and self-love over self-doubt.
So as you move forward, I hope you carry these insights with you. May they guide you in your journey of self-discovery and growth. And may they inspire you to let go whenever it’s needed – because sometimes, that’s the best thing we can do for ourselves.
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