Fear of Letting Go and What to Do – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1025

Fear of Letting Go and What to Do – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1025

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1025 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to aq.pharmaveterans@gmail.com for publishing our contributions here.

Preamble

In one of the organizations, I had a colleague who had been working on the documentation of export shipments, and he was good at it. During that time, he also somehow got the opportunity to do business communication with couple of customers abroad and did it well. My assessment was that he had good talent for business, and he should shift to that area of work. It would be good for his future growth because documentation was almost a dead-end job. We talked in detail, and he agreed, but he said he would do both for some time. Understanding his fear of letting go, I agreed. Meanwhile, we hired someone for documentation. However, he kept sticking to the documentation and did not do much on the business side. We had more discussions to ease out the transition, but it did not help. Probably feeling that it was getting too much, he left. After a short break, he joined a business position and kept working on that portfolio. Today, he is running his own business. The moral of the story is that we do not let go as long we can, but when we are forced, we change.

Fear of letting go forced senior, experienced bank staff to resign when banks switched to digital working. And it is not just jobs, it encompasses our whole life. So much talent and energy and time is wasted and life changing opportunities are lost due to this fear.

Understanding the Fear of Letting Go

The fear of letting go is a common yet complex feeling that arises when we hold onto things—whether they are relationships, beliefs, habits, or situations—that no longer serve us. This fear often stems from our discomfort with uncertainty and the emotional attachment we’ve built up over time. However, learning to let go is essential for personal growth, freedom, and happiness. 

Letting go can be difficult because it threatens our comfort zone. Even if a relationship or job isn’t fulfilling, it’s familiar. The known, however flawed, feels safer than stepping into the unknown. We worry that by letting go, we’ll lose something essential, whether it’s identity, routine, or perceived security. We develop emotional bonds to people, places, and ideas, making it painful to detach. These bonds can create a sense of identity, making it hard to imagine life without them.

We worry that letting go might lead to regret, especially if we feel that letting go means giving up on something. Sometimes, holding on is linked to the fear of failure, as we’re hesitant to let go of past decisions or investments that didn’t turn out as planned.

Why Letting Go is Necessary

Letting go is needed for personal growth, emotional freedom, making new experiences, and becoming more authentic.

Holding onto things that no longer serve us can stifle growth and prevent new opportunities from emerging. Letting go frees mental and emotional energy tied up in situations or people that drain us. 

Letting go of old patterns or relationships allows new experiences to enter our life, often ones that align more closely with our values and goals. Letting go allows us to live more authentically, making choices that truly reflect who we are now instead of who we were.

How to Deal with the Fear of Letting Go

First, recognize that our fear is a natural part of the process. Rather than denying or suppressing it, we should acknowledge the fear as valid and normal. We can write down the specific fears or worries associated with letting go. Often, putting these on paper helps reduce their intensity.

It is important to reflect on what we are afraid to release and why. Is it a job that no longer excites us, a relationship that feels one-sided, or a limiting belief that holds us back? 

Ask ourselves if it aligns with our current values, goals, or who us want to become. Sometimes, we hold onto things for reasons that no longer apply to our lives. Imagine life without this attachment. What possibilities open up? What might we feel relieved of? Visualizing the benefits of letting go can make it feel more achievable. Creating a vision for the new opportunities or relationships, we want to welcome into our life will make it easier to focus on positive outcomes instead of the loss.

Fear of letting go is often fueled by “what if” thoughts (e.g., “What if I regret it?” or “What if I can’t handle change?”). It is important to challenge these thoughts by identifying specific actions we could take if any of these “what-ifs” materialized. This exercise can remind us that we are capable of adapting, even if things don’t go exactly as planned. 

Letting go doesn’t always have to be an immediate decision. Gradual detachment helps to ease the transition. It is good to try creating some emotional distance by limiting the time or energy we invest in what we are holding onto. This could mean reducing contact with a person, cutting back on hours at a job, or practicing detachment in other ways.

We may reframe our mindset to see letting go as a positive change that opens up possibilities and recognize the potential for growth, freedom, and happiness that comes with it. Each time we start focusing on what we are losing, we must remind ourselves of what we are gaining—new opportunities, a lighter mental load, or the freedom to pursue goals that align with our true self.

When we let go of something, a void may be left behind. We should fill it with positive habits, hobbies, or new relationships that align with our current goals and values. Another important point is to channel our energy into something productive, whether it’s self-care, learning a new skill, or nurturing connections that make us feel valued. We should also accept that uncertainty is a natural part of life, and while it’s uncomfortable, it also brings freedom and growth.

If needed, we may seek Support. We may talk to friends, family, or a mentor about our fears and struggles with letting go. Sometimes, sharing these thoughts makes the process less overwhelming. It is good to seek out people who have successfully let go of similar attachments and learn from their experiences. Their insights can inspire confidence and reduce anxiety.

Letting go may often involve forgiving ourselves and others. Let go of any guilt, resentment, or self-blame that is keeping us tied to the past. We must be kind to ourselves throughout the process, understanding that it’s okay to feel vulnerable, and recognize that every small step toward letting go is a victory.

Sum Up

Letting go is not just a single action, it is rather a skill that can serve us throughout our life. Once we learn to let go, we become more adaptable, resilient, and open to change. Each experience of letting go teaches us to trust ourselves and the journey, ultimately leads to greater freedom, peace, and alignment with our true self. Letting go doesn’t erase the past but rather honors it while allowing us to move forward into a future of renewed possibility. Of particular importance is the professional setting where letting go is essential for growth and progress. 

Concluded.

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For most blogs, I research from several sources which are open to public. Their links are mentioned under references. There is no intent to infringe upon anyone’s copyrights. If, however, it happens unintentionally, I offer my sincere regrets.