Stepping into the Unknown!

...The fear of letting go.

A couple of weeks ago we talked about fear. This week I want to talk specifically about the fear of letting go… 
 
Letting go is often seen as a challenging and deeply emotional process, but it is also one of the most liberating things we can do for our growth and happiness. It is the act of releasing control, attachments, or expectations to make space for new possibilities in our lives. Whether it's letting go of a job, a relationship, a belief, or even a version of ourselves, the concept revolves around trusting that something better will emerge, even when the path forward feels unclear.
 
GROWTH
One of the most powerful reasons to let go is that it creates space for new opportunities. When we cling tightly to the familiar, we can block ourselves from receiving better things that are waiting just around the corner. Holding on to something that no longer serves us — whether it's a toxic relationship, a limiting belief, or a stagnant career — can prevent us from recognising and embracing the growth we need. When we finally let go, it opens up a void, and it is within that space that new and often better opportunities arise. It may be a healthier relationship, a more fulfilling job, or a deeper sense of self-acceptance.
 
FEAR
However, letting go is not easy, and it's natural to feel fear when faced with the unknown. The familiar, even when it's no longer good for us, offers a certain level of comfort and predictability. We know what to expect from the situation we're in, but stepping into the unknown requires a leap of faith. This leap can feel terrifying because the future feels like a blank canvas—one where we cannot yet see the outline of what’s to come. This fear is compounded by the fact that letting go often involves mourning the loss of what was, even if it wasn’t serving us well. That said, fear of the unknown is a natural part of the human experience, and it’s important to acknowledge that fear rather than avoid it. Accepting that fear is part of the journey can help us cultivate courage. 
 
TRUST
Letting go can also teach us about the power of trust — trust in ourselves, in the process, and in the universe. It requires faith that by releasing what no longer serves us, we are setting ourselves up for something better. Sometimes, the very act of letting go signals to the universe that we are ready for change, that we are ready to receive something greater. By loosening our grip on what is comfortable but confining, we allow life to flow in new directions.
 

"What if we could trust life like we trust the breath? What if we could take in all the nourishment of the moment and then let it go fully, trusting that more nourishment will come?

Deborah Adele, The Yamas & Niyamas

Over the past few weeks I’ve spoken with clients about letting go of a career that may provide predictability and security but is unfulfilling. In order to step into the career that we know will be more fulfilling we have to let go of what perhaps felt safe and trust that taking the leap, taking the risk, will be worth it. 
 
For a long time I clung on tight to the idea that I needed to be employed, that I needed to work for a big company with a ‘good’ reputation. I decided that anything I was passionate about doing could exist as a ‘side hustle’. (And if I’m completely honest I told myself I was happy with having the side hustle because I was too scared to fully commit to it.) This felt like safety and security even if it was an unfulfilling (or in some cases toxic) place to work. Two redundancies later I began to question whether my belief that ‘employed = safe and secure’ was true. It was time to let go. And in letting go I allowed my ‘side hustle’ to become the main event. 
 
And within the void that letting go of my (horrible, energy sucking) employed job left I had time to invest in my passion, I had time and energy to make it work. I dug deep and trusted in my ability and resilience and allowed myself to try, explore, maybe fail, and try again. 
 
Ultimately, letting go is a powerful act of surrender that invites change, growth, and renewal into our lives. While the process may be daunting, especially when the outcome is uncertain, the rewards of courageously stepping into the unknown often far outweigh the comfort of staying where we are. When we embrace the act of letting go, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities — often discovering that what awaits us on the other side is far greater than we ever imagined.