When It’s Time to Let Go: Lessons From the Trees

A few mornings ago, I was sitting on the back deck (iykyk) with Damon and noticed the leaves falling from the tree. It prompted a discussion about why and then how it relates to us as humans (if you know me, you know I am ALWAYS analyzing deeper). I was reminded that nature has a way of sending us the exact message we need, when we need it. A tree doesn’t hold on to leaves that are no longer serving it. When the days grow shorter and energy needs to be conserved, the tree lets go, without hesitation, without guilt.

We could learn a lot from that.

How often do we cling to things that no longer nourish us? Old habits, outdated beliefs, relationships, or commitments that once had purpose but now drain our energy. Unlike the trees, we often resist the release. We tell ourselves stories about why we need to hold on. But here’s the truth: just as a tree must shed its leaves to survive the winter, we must sometimes shed what no longer supports our growth.

Letting go is not a loss, it is an act of protection. By releasing, you make space for renewal. The tree that stands bare in winter is not empty or broken. It is resting, conserving, preparing for the new buds and fresh growth of spring. The same is true for us.

If something in your life is no longer serving you, consider this your gentle nudge to let it fall away. Trust that by protecting your energy, you are creating space for new opportunities, deeper connections, and the kind of growth that aligns with who you are becoming.

Just like the trees, you don’t have to carry everything into the next season.