by Linda-Ann Stewart

I used to have a good friend that I’d occasionally meet for lunch or coffee and we’d have interesting conversations. Then, she started showing up late at the restaurant, and once spent most of the time on a phone call. In our last phone conversation, she screamed that I wasn’t doing what she wanted, said she would never call me again and hung up.

We haven’t spoken since. I was sad the relationship had ended, but it apparently had fulfilled its purpose.

“People (and other things) Come and Go”

There’s a saying that, “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.” It’s very true. I’ve had many people come and go in my life. And they have all been teachers for me, some pleasant, some not so much. Some come and go, only to return again later. They all serve a purpose.

But this sentiment doesn’t just apply to people. It also applies to situations, beliefs, activities, and everything else in your life. I’ve had to let go of something in each one of these categories, often against my wishes. I ignored the warning signs, hoping they’d work out if I put enough energy into them. But the Universe had other ideas.

When to Let Go

There are times when you have to release something in your life that you value, because it no longer serves you. You’ve taken a different path, or have outgrown whatever it is.  The challenge is knowing when the right choice is to stick around or to move on. It’s rarely an easy decision. Many times, the obvious choice is thrust upon you, like it has been on me. Or the Universe simply takes the choice away from you, because It has something better in store for you.

Over the years, I began to recognize the red flags for when to quit wasting time on something that had ceased to be good for me. And conversely, I learned to identify the signals of when to persist.The following are some of the indicators that have worked for me to decide what to do in these situations.

When to Consider Persisting

• If the relationship or situation is still of benefit to you.
• If your belief or mindset is still supporting you in your endeavors, health and well being.
• If there’s a balance between your giving and receiving from where your energy is going, whether a relationship or situation.

When to Consider Moving On

• When you’re overwhelmed.
• When you’re being taken advantage of.
• When you set boundaries and they aren’t respected.
• When you’re drained and exhausted whenever you’re dealing with the person or situation.
• When you’re resentful of the time or energy you’re putting forth with not much in return.
• When you’re out of sync with the person or situation, and just going through the motions to maintain it.

Considerations

• Take a step back, assess, and decide if you need to let go of just some of what’s contributing to your distress, or all of it.
• Say “No,” without explanations, excuses or rationalizations. Your decisions aren’t accountable to anyone.
• Assess if the relationship or situation is still worth putting your energy into it. If so, decide how much energy you’re willing to invest.
• Decide what needs to change for you to continue. Determine what your actions will be if there is no improvement.
• Always ask, “What am I learning from this?”

The universe is always about change. So unless you’re stagnant, you’re always growing. Whenever there’s a person or situation in your life, there’s a gift in it for you. You’re to learn from it, to continue on your path of personal development and fulfill your potential. Remember to seek out the gift.

Affirmation:

People and situations come into my life for a reason. Once they have served that purpose, it’s time to release them to their Highest Good. The Universe guides me when it’s time to move on. I willingly let go and open my mind and heart to something better. Only the Highest Good comes to everyone involved with me.

Please watch the accompanying videos, Is It Time to Say “Next?” and Recognizing the Melancholy of Moving On.

As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, wellbeing and prosperity.To boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, register for her FREE guide, Design Your Best Day, at https://www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html