“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
--E.M. Forster
Today is the first day of fall, my favorite season of the year, with its burst of colors, cooler temperatures, crisp mornings, and pleasant evenings. And as the autumn equinox signals the shift from summer to fall, nature offers us a useful metaphor for the act of letting go. Trees begin to shed their leaves, not out of loss but in preparation for renewal. This process can remind us that letting go of grudges, fears, and disappointments is not about abandonment, but about creating space for growth and transformation. Much like trees, we too can benefit from shedding what no longer serves us and make room for new opportunities and possibilities. Vulnerability plays a key role in this process, allowing us to embrace the unknown without the burden of past baggage.
The changing of seasons from summer’s warmth to fall’s crisp air invites us to reflect on the emotional burdens we carry. Holding onto grudges or disappointments often prevents us from moving forward, much like leaves clinging to a tree would hinder its ability to survive the winter. The natural rhythm of fall reminds us that it is necessary to release these emotions, trusting that something new and beautiful will emerge in their place. Letting go, in this sense, becomes an act of trust in ourselves and the process of life.
Being vulnerable is essential to letting go, and for learning and moving on. For example, let’s say a friendship that you’re part of has ended, for whatever reason. Rather than dwelling on the contributions your former friend made to the dissolution of your relationship, being vulnerable and examining your role in the falling out and being honest with yourself about your contribution can help you modify your behavior for the better and move forward. You can let go of that chapter of your past and commit yourself to not repeating those behaviors as new friendships develop. You can even try to renew your former friendship, vowing to adjust for the sake of the relationship.
Fall teaches us that the act of letting go is a cycle, not a singular event. Each year, nature repeats this process, and in doing so, it reinforces the idea that letting go is an ongoing practice. We may let go of one disappointment only to find another takes its place, just as the seasons continuously change. That’s human nature. But by practicing vulnerability and release, we become more resilient, learning that we are capable of weathering each emotional storm and coming out stronger on the other side.
The colors of autumn symbolize the beauty that comes with transition, even when it involves loss and self-reflection. By embracing vulnerability, we allow ourselves to release the emotions and experiences that weigh us down, trusting that this process will make room for renewal. Just as the trees prepare for winter, so too can we prepare for the next chapter of our lives by letting go of what is no longer needed, making space for the new and the unknown, and being comfortable with that.
For more about the power of vulnerability in our lives and how to live and lead vulnerably, I invite you to read my book Large and In Charge No More—A Journey to Vulnerable Leadership.
Thank you for the beautiful and important message for this Autumn season -- letting go, and making way for what is to come. Also, really like that Forester quote.