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Why is it hard for us to let go?

Sumaya
3 min readMay 9, 2023

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Photo by Gabriel Benois on Unsplash

As humans, we tend to attach ourselves to things and people. It could be a place we grew up, a person we love, a job we have had for years, or even objects that hold sentimental value. We create an emotional connection with these things, and it becomes difficult to let go. However, letting go is an essential part of life, and not being able to do so can have negative consequences. So why can’t we let go?

Firstly, a fear of the unknown can make it hard to let go. We hold on to what we know because it’s comfortable and safe. The uncertainty of what may come with change can be terrifying, and we prefer to stick with what we know, even if it is not good for us. For example, a person may stay in a toxic relationship because they don’t know what it will be like to be alone or start over.

Holding onto something can be seen as a sign of strength. Society often praises those who persist through hard times, and giving up can be viewed as weakness. This can make it challenging to let go, even if it’s the right thing to do. For example, someone may stay in a dead-end job because they don’t want to give up or be viewed as a quitter.

We hold onto things because they represent a part of our identity. We associate certain things with who we are, and letting go of them can feel like we are losing a part of ourselves. For example, a person may have to…

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Sumaya
Sumaya

Written by Sumaya

Lover of reading and writing.

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