Every autumn the trees let go of their leaves. They don't hold on out of fear, and they don't apologise. Letting go is simply part of how they make room for what comes next.
For people, letting go is rarely that simple. Change can feel like failure when we are in the middle of it. A role coming to an end. A relationship shifting. Children growing up and leaving home. A version of ourselves we are leaving behind.
It is natural to grieve these things, even when the change is right. Loss isn't only about people. We can mourn a routine, a place, an identity or a future we had imagined.
What can help is remembering that change can be a season, not a verdict on who you are. Autumn isn't the end of the tree. It is part of a cycle that leads, in time, to new growth.
If you are in a season of letting go, try to be kind to yourself in it. Notice what you are carrying, give yourself time, and let others support you where you can.
These reflections are general thoughts written during my training. They are not counselling or professional advice. If you are struggling, please speak to your GP or one of the services below.