Spiritual sage Rumi once wrote, “Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” This wise quotation applies to everything: people, emotions, things and work. People feel differently about letting go or holding on where it involves people and relationships, material objects, emotions, work or other  parts of life.

Some people prefer to hold on to a complicated or even toxic relationship, be it a romantic one or a friendship, and try to focus on the positive things in the relationship. Others feel letting go by leaving a relationship is important to them.

Attachment involves risks. Expectations put pressure on the people you love and creates fear of loss and change. People change; life can move in different directions. Some people feel that holding on without getting too attached is a good idea, especially when things are not the same.

When you become attached to something — an outcome, a person, a material thing — you associate your happiness to it. If you get it, you feel content. If you lose it, you may feel disappointed and upset. Everything can seem like a potential struggle.

The more you try to control something, the more it controls you. Do you agree with the previous sentence? Does trying to control something in your life give it more power? Why or why not? How?

Can you find a balance to stay well between letting go and holding on? Is it difficult?

I have trouble in relationships of letting go as I imagine people will change and I worry how I will cope with another breakup?

I have trouble letting go of guilt, books, clutter, bad memories, of hurtful things people have said to me and many more.

What do you have trouble letting go of? What did you do?

Leah

A Moodscope member