The Art of Letting Go: What to Set Down (For Now) to Live Fully

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(Image courtesy of Roderick Sia)

We’ve all been there—juggling about fifty different things while somehow still trying to stay upright. Life can feel like a circus act, with responsibilities flying around like flaming torches, and you, the daring acrobat, praying none of them land on your face. If your daily routine feels like a tightrope walk between chaos and a nervous breakdown, it’s time to pause and ask yourself: What can I set down for a season?

First off, take a deep breath. Now, I get it—life is short, and the endless motivational quotes on Instagram tell us to “live every moment to the fullest.” Sure, that’s nice and all, but it can also leave you feeling like you’re in a perpetual race to “do all the things.” You know what? I like to believe life is also long. Yes, I said it. We have time to do it all, just maybe not all at once.

The Myth of Doing It All (At Once)

Let’s face it: society makes us think we have to be superheroes. Work that 9-to-5, train for a marathon, start a side hustle, raise perfect kids, master the ukulele, and post your fabulous life on social media—all while practicing mindfulness and drinking celery juice. It’s exhausting just thinking about it.

So here’s the reality check: It’s okay to set something down for a while. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It doesn’t mean you’re quitting. It just means you’re smart enough to know that some things can wait. You’re essentially Marie Kondo-ing your life, thanking a task for its service, and letting it go (for now).

What can you set down for a season? Well, start with the things that are draining your energy, but don’t have an immediate payoff or necessity. That ambitious cross-stitching hobby you picked up during quarantine? Maybe it’s time to put that on hold. The side hustle that’s making you more stressed than excited? Let it simmer on the back burner.

Life’s Cycles: Timing is Everything

Here’s a little secret: life moves in seasons. What doesn’t fit into this season of your life may fit perfectly into the next. Want to finish that novel? It’s okay if it doesn’t happen this year. Want to learn a new language? It’ll still be there next summer. Just because you’re setting something down now doesn’t mean you’re abandoning it forever. It’s more like saying, “Hey, I’ll get to you later when I’ve got the mental bandwidth.”

I mean, look at some of the most notable leaders and visionaries out there. Steve Jobs took a break from Apple—his own company—only to come back stronger and more innovative than ever. J.K. Rowling didn’t publish Harry Potter until she was well into her 30s. Heck, even the Roman Empire didn’t build itself in a day. Sometimes, you just need to hit pause, gather your energy, and return with fresh eyes and a clear head.

The Permission to Pause

Setting something down doesn’t make you lazy. It doesn’t mean you’re failing at life. In fact, it might be the smartest move you can make. Think of it as strategic rest. Athletes don’t train at full speed all year round. They have off-seasons to recover, rebuild, and come back stronger.

The same goes for your mental and emotional well-being. If you’re constantly pushing yourself to do everything, you’ll burn out before you even get to the fun part. Remember, even the most successful people in the world take breaks. So, why shouldn’t you?

Take a look at your life right now. What’s demanding your attention? What are the “yes” commitments that are aligned with your goals? And then—just as important—what’s distracting you from those goals? The key is not to get so caught up in the juggling act that you forget to enjoy the show.

The Freedom of Saying “Not Now”

By setting something down for a season, you’re not shutting the door on it forever. You’re simply giving yourself the gift of focus. You’re saying, “I’ve got enough on my plate right now, but I’ll come back to this when I can give it the attention it deserves.”

So, what’s the takeaway? You don’t need to do everything, and you certainly don’t need to do it all at once. Life is long enough to allow for seasons of rest, reflection, and recalibration. And when you come back to those things you set down, you’ll do so with renewed energy and perspective.

The next time your phone buzzes, your inbox explodes, or another task drops into your lap, ask yourself: Does this align with the season of life I’m in? If not, it’s okay to say, “Not now.” Trust me—when the time is right, you’ll pick it back up, and it’ll be all the sweeter for having waited.

Bob Fagan has just published “The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.” It is available on Amazon.

 

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