Hold On, Just Enough
Dear Friend,
The ability to hold on, just enough, is an art. It is an art we all must practice.
Holding on is not a bad thing. Sometimes we need to hold on before we are ready to let go. Sometimes refusing to take the next step protects us from the pain we are not ready for yet. Sometimes we need to deny that we should move on from someone or something before we can see that we have already left them.
Letting go prematurely can be just as detrimental as holding on for too long. If we let go before the time is right, we may miss wonderful opportunities that are just beginning to blossom. For example, imagine the struggling artist or entrepreneur who has been working hard for many years and is thinking of quitting. Shortly thereafter, this artist or entrepreneur may get their ‘big break.’ Often, the big revelations and tipping points come when we are at the brink; they come when we are on the verge of letting go but do not.
In the deepest parts of our hearts, we know the future that awaits needs us to hold on, at least to some degree. Some of the most beautiful things are created by people who hold on to a mission; to a commitment to leave the world better than they found it. In essence, to make and do truly wonderful things, we must give ourselves permission to continue down the path that is calling us, even if we are unsure of where it is leading.
Maturity is measured by our understanding that holding on and letting go are two sides of the same coin. It is to understand that sometimes we must say no to the next step before we can say yes. Letting go before we are ready is like entering a world we are not yet equipped for.
Holding on becomes destructive when we are too rigid; when we are determined to keep things the way they are or to turn them back into something they no longer want to be. To hold on effectively, we must accept that the degree to which we hold on and the things we hold on to are subject to change; they are subject to the seasonality of our lives. We must be willing to pivot or modify our trajectory depending on who and what we find along the way.
At certain times and to a certain extent, we all need to hold on. Sometimes we need to follow a particular road until the end, or at least for a little longer. This is how some of the most marvelous things are made. This is how we grow into the people we are destined to become. The key to life is to learn how to hold on, just enough.
Questions for Andrew?
If you want to ask me something, feel free to respond to this email or any others from me, or you can also ask me via Instagram. In my next newsletter, I will be resuming the Dear Andrew series.
Remember sometimes there is no right answer. Sometimes the most important thing is simply being curious enough to ask the question.
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