How to Know it’s Time to Let Go | NJ Yoga Teacher | NJYC

How to Know It’s Time To Let Go | Yoga Teacher

I’ve spent years calling myself a “quitter.”

I didn’t feel good about assigning that word to my decision to stop being a lawyer, but the definition seemed to fit:

“a person who quits or gives up easily, especially in the face of some difficulty, danger, etc.”

And wasn’t that what I did? As soon as I found out I was pregnant with twins, I completely checked out on the idea of continuing my legal career. I knew I couldn’t do both well, even with phenomenal role models all around me. Quitting felt like an easy choice.

Lawyer = dangerous for my sanity and probably my marriage.

Mom + yoga teacher = maybe not easy, but at least I could do it in stretch pants.

So I quit.

Or did I?

In the past few months I’ve started to seriously question my decision to label myself a quitter.

In the spirit of lawyering, here are the facts:

I wasn’t passionate about the law.

I didn’t feel connected to my co-workers.

I legitimately dreaded the sound of a knock on my office door.

I left early.

I came in late.

I worked from home as often as I possibly could.

I spent hours googling celebrities, recipes, politics and get-rich-quick schemes.

I refused to wear suits, even when I had to go to court.

When I left the law firm, relief washed over me like a wave.

The choice was conscious.

I was aware of how I would be judged and I knew I would have to answer mind numbingly repetitive questions about why I left and how soon I would consider going back.

I was okay with all that.

I never felt sad.

I had no regrets.

When I dropped the ESQ from my name, I freed up an incredible amount of space. Not just in my day, but in my brain and my heart. New opportunities materialized and I was, for the first time in a long time, free to say yes to things and people that inspired me.

Those truths don’t sound quitter-ish to me.

My decision wasn’t to give up, it was to LET GO.  To let go of the person I thought I had to be, to impress others and to make the disgusting amount of money I spent on law school worthwhile. The day I transformed from lawyer to momma yogi, I chose myself. I chose self-care, self-love and a life filled with possibility, rather than struggle and exhaustion.

If you’re reading this, my guess is you are questioning if it’s time to let go of someone or something. We both know I can’t answer that one for you, but I can ask you one question to help you find your true north:

1. Are you exhausted or inspired?

Inspiration is always worth sticking around for. Exhaustion is clear sign that it’s time to start the process of letting go. Maybe not walking away completely, but stepping back enough to make an aware, mindful, conscious decision that serves you, your dreams, your goals and the people you love.

Whatever you choose, do it for YOU. If transforming feels right, go for it. Quit, let go, surrender – WHATEVER. Just promise me that you won’t settle into the struggle.

This life is just too precious.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://njyogacollective.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Asbury-Park-43.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Bridget is a mom, a yoga teacher, a former lawyer, a writer, a moderately decent cook, a really good baker, a seeker of fantastic coffee and a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. Bridget became all those things around the same time and credits the whole “former lawyer” thing as the impetus for most of the fun stuff she gets to do on a daily basis now. That, and her husband Joe’s complete willingness to support her spontaneity with a smile. Bridget was born and raised in New Jersey and cannot imagine calling anywhere else “home.” She loves the entire NJ yoga community with lioness-like ferocity and cannot wait to show the world just what NJ yogis are up to – because it is crazy amazing stuff.[/author_info] [/author]