The Art of Letting Go

The Purpose and The Pivot is a podcast for women navigating transitions in career, leadership, faith, and personal growth. It’s for those moments when you’re re-evaluating what’s next and choosing to realign with purpose—intentionally and confidently.

Through honest conversations, meaningful stories, and practical insight, we’ll explore how to embrace change, lead through transition, and move forward with clarity after the pivot.

McLain Career & Life Coaching dba McLain Enterprises, LLC

https://www.mclainenterprisesllc.com

https://calendly.com/mclainenterprises/30min 

Produced & Edited by: Tyrone K. Sullivan (Media Director)
linkedin.com/in/tyroneksullivan 

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:02

Welcome to the Purpose and the Pivot, the podcast for women who know it's time for more. With your host, C Renee McLean, career and life coach and champion for women navigating change with confidence and clarity. Each week we'll have real conversations about career moves, life transitions, mindset shifts, and the power of redefining your purpose at every stage of life. Whether you're pivoting professionally, personally, or both, this is your space for guidance, growth, and grounded support. Let's dive in.

SPEAKER_01 0:44

Welcome back to the purpose and the pivot podcast. Today's episode is the art of letting go. Mm-hmm. Yeah. We're gonna be making room for what's next. Oh, yes, yes, yes. I am so grateful you've joined us today because we're talking about something that everyone of us will face at some point in our lives. Uh-huh, yeah. Letting go. Yes, it may be one of the hardest things we'll ever do. Yeah, not because we don't know we need to, but because letting go often means releasing something that once mattered deeply to us. A relationship, a career, a dream, an expectation, a version of ourselves, uh-huh, yeah. Or perhaps it's letting go of disappointment, regret, fear, or the need to control everything. Oh my goodness. The truth is, most of us don't struggle because we don't know how to hold on. We struggle because we don't know when or how to let go. Today's episode is about learning the art of letting go. So you can create space for the life you are meant to live. Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So let's get into this. Letting go isn't giving up. Yes, let's begin by clearing up a common misconception. People often confuse letting go with quitting. They think that letting go means they've failed. That they've given up, that they've admitted defeat. But letting go isn't always about giving up. Sometimes it's about growing up. What? Yes. It's recognizing that what served you in one season may not serve you in the next. It's choosing peace over pride, wisdom over stubbornness, growth over familiarity. Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is acknowledge that it's time to release what no longer aligns with where you're going. Oh my goodness. So guys, before I got married to my wonderful husband of almost 24 years, I was in a relationship for years that gotten that that had gotten to the point where it no longer served me. And I decided I'm not doing this anymore. I'm not doing this anymore. And shortly after that, it did not take long at all. Oh my goodness. I met my husband. We dated for eight months only, eight months. And we got married, and we celebrated our 23rd anniversary this year. He says we've been married for almost 24 years because we've already accomplished 23. So now we're going toward 24. Yeah. Yeah. So sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to acknowledge that it's time to release, but no longer aligns with where you're going. Oh my goodness. Oh, Selah. Pause and think about that. Mm-hmm. So let's think about this for a moment. Why is letting go so difficult? Because holding on feels familiar. Yeah, it was familiar. It was familiar. We're not comfortable with the unknown. Uh-huh. Yeah. Sometimes we hold on because of history. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Oh, I've invested so many years. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yep. I understand. That was me. Sometimes we hold on because of fear. What if nothing better comes along? Hey guys. What if it does? It certainly did for me. Oh my goodness. Yes, yes, yes. Sometimes we hold on because of guilt. People are counting on me. And sometimes we hold on because our identity has become wrapped up in something we've outgrown. Yeah. It could be that relationship. Uh-huh. Yeah. It could be a job title. It could be a role. It could be a dream. We convince ourselves that if we let go, we'll lose a part of who we are. But letting go isn't losing yourself. No. What if it's making room to discover yourself? Oh my goodness. Yeah. And you know, not everything is meant to go with you. Huh. As you grow, your life changes, your priorities shift. Your values deepen. Your perspective expands. Yeah. And sometimes that means not everything or everyone can come with you. Some habits no longer fit. Some environments no longer nourish you. Some relationships have simply run their course. Oh my goodness. Some beliefs have reached their expiration date. Uh-huh. Growth often requires release. Not because those things were bad, but because they belonged to a different chapter. And that's okay. Because now that chapter is over. Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know, another thing. One of the hardest things to release is control. Oh my goodness. We want certainty. We want guarantees. We want to know exactly how everything will work out before we take the next step. But guess what, guys? Life doesn't work that way. There will always be unanswered questions, unexpected detours, closed doors, moments that don't make sense. And you know, the more tightly we grip what we can't control, the more anxious we become. Yeah. So peace often begins when control ends. Yeah. It doesn't mean we stop preparing. It just means that we stop believing that everything depends on us because it doesn't. Do your part and trust the process. Oh my goodness. Yes, yes, yes. And forgiveness is also a form of letting go. Yeah. Sometimes what we need to release isn't a situation. Sometimes it's resentment, disappointment, anger, hurt. It's the conversation that never happened. The apology we never received. The opportunity that slipped away. Forgiveness doesn't erase what happened. It doesn't excuse hurtful behavior. It simply means you're choosing not to let yesterday continue controlling today. Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Forgiveness is less about the other person and more about setting yourself free. Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I had a very hurtful situation that occurred in my life some years ago. I have not received an apology or even an acknowledgement of what was done, and will most likely never receive an apology or an acknowledgement of what was done. However, I chose to forgive and move on. Uh-huh. Yeah. I chose to forgive and move on. Is the relationship different? Yes. Does that person or people have the same access to me that they had to me before? But I'm no longer angry, I'm no longer hurt, I am healed, I am set free, and boundaries are in place. Yeah. Yeah. And you know, this may be the hardest thing of letting go for some. The life you imagined, the timeline you created, the dream that didn't unfold the way you expected. We've all had moments when life looked differently than what we planned. But here's something I've learned. Sometimes we become so attached to plan A that we fail to see the beauty of plan B. Your life may not have unfolded exactly the way you envisioned. But that doesn't mean it still can't be beautiful. Some of life's greatest blessings arrive wearing the disguise of unexpected detours. Uh-huh. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And this is key, also, guys. You cannot receive with closed hands. Oh my goodness. I want you to picture someone holding on to something with both hands. Just get that picture in your mind. Yeah. Now, imagine trying to hand them something new. They can't receive it. Not because it's not available, but because their hands are already full. And they're not trying to let go of what they're holding on to. Yeah. The same is true in life, guys. If you're holding tightly to old hurts, old expectations, old fears, old identities, it becomes difficult to embrace new opportunities. Sometimes letting go isn't about loss, it's about making room. Making room for healing, making room for growth, making room for joy, making room for purpose, making room for excitement. Making room for what's next. Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I understand letting go is a practice. Yeah, it's a practice. But here's the beautiful thing about letting go it is really a one-time event. Some days you'll release fear. Some days you'll release perfectionism. Some days you'll release comparison. And sometimes you'll have to let go of the same thing more than once. But guess what? That's part of the growth. Give yourself grace. Give yourself grace. Transformation does not happen overnight. It happens over time. One intentional choice at a time. Uh-huh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So as we begin to close today's episode, I'd like for you to reflect on these questions. Okay? Ask yourself these questions. What am I holding on to that's making it difficult to move forward? What am I holding on to that's making it difficult to move forward? Here's number two. Is there a relationship or an expectation, habit, or belief that I've outgrown? Is there a relationship, expectation, habit, or belief that I've outgrown? Number three, what fear is keeping me from letting go? Is it fear of the unknown? Number four, what could become possible if I trusted that releasing something today could make room for something better tomorrow? Oh my goodness. What could become possible if I trusted that releasing something today could make room for something better tomorrow. Oh my goodness. And here's a thought I want to leave you with today.

SPEAKER_02 16:44

Sometimes the next chapter of your life doesn't begin when something new comes along. It begins when you finally release what no longer belongs in your story.

SPEAKER_01 17:07

I'm gonna say that again. Sometimes the next chapter of your life doesn't begin when something new comes along, sometimes it begins when you finally release what no longer belongs in your story. Yeah. Release. Release. And remember this: letting go isn't about forgetting, it isn't about pretending something didn't matter, it's about honoring what was while making room for what can be. Yeah. Because every ending creates the possibility for a new beginning. Oh yes, yes, yes. So choose courage over comfort, choose peace over fear, choose purpose over perfection. And remember this: be encouraged, enlightened, and empowered. I am C-Rene McLean. Thank you for joining us today.

SPEAKER_00 18:44

Thank you for tuning in to the Purpose and the Pivot. If today's episode encouraged or inspired you, be sure to follow the show and share it with another woman who's navigating her own transition. For coaching support or to connect with C-Rene McLean directly, visit McLean Career and Life Coaching or schedule a consultation using the link in the show notes. Remember, your purpose evolves and you have permission to pivot. Until next time.