Letting go - or is it quitting?

Letting go is a natural but also challenging part of life. The process can be emotionally complicated, whether it involves ending a personal relationship, stepping away from a project, or transitioning out of a leadership role. Understanding when and how to let go can lead to personal growth and new opportunities, and it is important to recognize that letting go is not synonymous with quitting. All good and well in theory, right? 

Recognizing when a relationship has run its course is crucial in personal relationships and friendships. It might be growing apart, non-stop negativity, or misaligned values that signal it is time to move on. Navigating the emotions that come with this realization—sadness, relief, fear—requires patience and self-compassion. Letting go of a relationship is not easy, but reflecting on positive memories and seeking closure through honest conversations can help. Focusing on personal growth and the lessons learned opens up the opportunity for healthier relationships in the future. Letting go is almost like decluttering; it is about making space for better things, not about giving up on something that still has potential. 

When it comes to projects, identifying when a project is no longer viable or fulfilling is essential. The signs can be subtle—a lack of progress, tension, or simply a loss of interest. Facing these feelings of failure or disappointment and viewing them as learning opportunities can be transformative. Conducting a project afterwards to understand what went wrong and redirecting energy towards a new, more promising adventure requires and allows for personal and professional growth. Abandoning a project that no longer serves its purpose is not quitting; it is recognising the value of your time and effort and choosing to invest them where they will have the most impact.

The timing of letting go is especially important and particularly in leadership roles. Sometimes, fresh perspectives are needed, or your role has simply come to an end (Did you get the hints around you?). Navigating the emotions that accompany this transition—a sense of loss, pride in accomplishments, and uncertainty about the future—requires knowing one's self.

Personally, it was incredibly difficult to let go of my "place" in various organisations where I was involved. Don't get me wrong; it was not difficult to finish my terms and proceed, but letting go comes much later.  Serving as a co-chair for the Global Young Academy and the South African Association for Energy Economics were some of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional life so far. Stepping back from these roles and watching the organizations evolve without my direct input was a challenging but necessary step. It meant trusting the new leadership and finding ways to support them without being directly involved. It wasn't about quitting; it was about allowing the organisations to grow beyond my tune and contribute in new ways. Giving over the steering wheel...

Another critical aspect of letting go is releasing grudges. In the age of social media, it is all too common to see individuals or organisations become targets of criticism, necessary or not, appropriately expressed or not. Holding onto grudges can be exhausting and counterproductive, consuming our energy and preventing us from moving forward. Letting go of these negative feelings allows us to focus on positive actions and growth. It is not about forgetting past actions but about freeing ourselves from the grip of continuous negativity.

Letting go is not about giving up; it's about making room for new growth and possibilities.

It is a courageous act of self-awareness. Prioritising self-care during these transitions is vital. Staying open to new beginnings, whether in relationships, projects, or leadership roles, ensures that letting go is seen as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. Reflecting on the lessons learned from each ending fosters a mindset of growth and resilience. Every ending teaches us something valuable that can be applied to future situations. 

Remember, letting go is not quitting—it is recognising that some chapters need to close for new ones to start.