Letting Go of What No Longer Fits to Get to a Goal

Letting Go of What No Longer Fits

Two weeks ago (or so), our daughter celebrated a milestone birthday. She’s already lived an interesting life—full of accomplishments, learning, and meaningful experiences. Her profession has taken her in many directions, offered abundant lessons, and continues to provide a stable income.

But she’s not the same person she was when she first became an adult. That was more than two decades ago. She’s grown, developed, and I imagine she’ll continue to change over the next twenty years too.

One thing is certain:

Positive change requires letting go.

To move forward, we need to release what no longer fits.

That’s been true for me.
And I’m guessing it’s true for you too.

We all need to make space for the future by loosening our grip on the past.
I’ve had to let go of the little girl I gave birth to, the teen with whom I had emotional clashes, and the confident young woman who stepped out on her own at twenty.

The beauty of letting go?

There’s something greater ahead.

Yes, our daughter is a wonderful adult.
(I often say that adult children are awesome!)

Celebrating all the “letting go” with a Tea Party

For her birthday, I had the joy of hosting an afternoon tea party with a few of her friends.

These young women (young to me—LOL) are in the thick of life. They’re navigating partnerships, education, careers, children, aging parents, and changing environments.

And whether they realize it or not, they’re also learning to let go—because letting go creates space to invest in what’s to come.

“…a time to keep and a time to throw away.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:6

That verse speaks to every part of life: from how we gather around a meal, to how we decorate, garden, declutter—and even to what we made at the tea party.

Creating Fascinators—and Choosing What to Keep

At the tea, we made “fascinator” hats—fancy headpieces that perch playfully on the head. Picture feathers, beads, florals, and lots of frills attached to a sturdy base.

Imagine trays filled with every sort of embellishment, just waiting to be chosen. Each woman selected her own materials—but not all were happy with their first picks. Some might’ve made different choices with the benefit of hindsight.

Reflecting on our choices is part of the creative process.

At first, all the possibilities feel thrilling: feathers, netting, lace, sparkles, blooms…

But here’s the truth: not everything can go on the fascinator.
It would be far too heavy to wear.

And some elements, while beautiful on their own, just don’t fit. They compete with the main idea or throw off the balance. Even the loveliest things sometimes need to be gently set aside.

The Same Is True in Life

The Illusion of “More”
We often hold onto things—outdated habits, unrealistic routines, fear of future challenges and the pain of lost opportunities—because they once seemed essential. Maybe they helped in a former season. Maybe they made sense at the time.

But “more” isn’t always better.
In fact, it’s often distracting. And heavy.

True growth often looks more like refining than accumulating.

Grace in the Discard Pile

Letting go doesn’t have to mean regret. Or loss.
It means recognizing that something no longer belongs in the design of our life—at least, not in this season.

And here’s the shift: we can release with gratitude.

We can say:
“Thank you for what you taught me.”
“Thank you for being part of the journey.”
“And now I let you go so something new can shine.”

Even the prettiest embellishments don’t belong on every fascinator.
And not every habit belongs in every season of life.

What Are You Carrying That No Longer Fits?

Is something cluttering your heart or mind that once felt necessary but now feels burdensome?

Maybe it’s perfectionism.
Maybe it’s the habit of comparison.
Maybe it’s the belief that you need to do more to be worth more.

Could today be the day you thank it—and then lovingly let it go?

A Journal Prompt for Your Heart

As you create today—whether you’re preparing a meal, tidying your space, or crafting something new—pause and reflect:

What am I holding onto that no longer adds to the design of my life?
What could I create space for, if I let that go?

Letting go isn’t failure—it’s refinement.
It’s how a masterpiece comes to life.

And when we let go with gratitude, we open our hearts to even greater beauty on the path ahead.

We’re on our way to a new goal…

A Scripture to Hold Close

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…”
—Philippians 3:13–14

You can download the journaling card above, if you’d like… click here.