Ler Devagar in Lisbon, Portugal, one of Flavorwire's 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world. I love the flying bicycle!
Have you ever noticed that it's really hard to let go of things - habits, possessions, tasks - even when you don't want them anymore? We all have them: magazine subscriptions we don't really enjoy, piles of old cassette tapes we don't even have the technology to listen to, college text books from 20 years ago, whatever you're hoarding that you don't want or need, but can't seem to get rid of.
This problem, and often it is a problem, can extend beyond the physical. Maybe you have a negative image of yourself that's not true but you can't let go. Perhaps you need to quit a bad habit. Maybe you're stuck in a bad relationship that really should be let go, whether with a significant other or a friend who tears down your self-esteem.
I let go of something today, and while it wasn't as significant as an abusive spouse or drug addiction, it was still hard to do. For the last two years I have been the cycling editor for BellaOnline, an informative website geared toward women. Every week I wrote an article about something related to bicycles or bicycling. In all, I wrote and published 97 articles. Needless to say, this volunteer job has been a major part of my life.
Recently, however, I'd found that I'd just lost the motivation to continue. I still like writing the articles, but the work involved with coming up with a new idea every week had become onerous. I wasn't enjoying myself anymore. It was time to retire. (I like that BellaOnline uses the word retire rather than quit. It doesn't make me sound like such a loser.)
I've struggled with this decision for a few months. I've been wanting to leave the position, but I've felt guilty about it, as if I were abandoning the women who run the website. I've had to keep reminding myself that I'm under no obligation to continue, and that there's very likely someone else out there who'd love to take over the topic. I'm simply giving her the opportunity. After all, I'd really like to take over as the Alaska editor myself, if the Texan who's currently doing it would quit!
I think that for a few weeks, I will feel a definite gap in my life, but I will enjoy having one less responsibility. I will focus on other writing projects. I look forward to having a few extra hours in my week. It will be a relief to have let go of something I didn't need or want anymore. In the meantime, if you'd like to read my articles, they'll be maintained on the website until they find a new editor.
What about you? What are you hanging onto that you should let go? Take a leap and release. I'll bet you'll feel better for it.
