Nobody likes to let it go, just like that.

We have to let you go. It has nothing to do with your performance as that is excellent. It's just that we have not been able to make the best use of your potential and we feel guilty about it. Plus, now your other work and stuff has started so we thought it would be a good time to part.

This was what the conversation revolved around. I was okay with it. I mean there was nothing to contest anyway. It was mutual dispersion agreed upon by both the parties involved. But yeah, one doesn’t feel good about it and this (conversation) made me delve a little deeper and further into my thoughts.

Nobody likes to let it go, just like that!

I remember when, during one of my earlier jobs, I was asked to leave. During that conversation with the founder and CEO, I was contesting and giving punches one after the other. It was a pretty hot and aggressive dual from my end. I only became softer once I realized why I was so agitated. It was not because of the job loss, but more so, what I will say to people, my sister was going to get married in a few months’ time and me being unemployed was not a good thought, and interestingly, finances were not the major concern and reason for my anger. It was perhaps a betrayal as I had had a good time with the CEO, so maybe I was feeling a little taken aback. 

In the front, I was all, “how could you do this? This is not the right way”. But somewhere at the back of my head I could hear the whisper which eventually got louder. The voice was saying “why am I arguing? It’s a simple transaction if looked purely from a business point of view. You were not able to deliver as per their needs, and they have all the rights to replace or find someone else instead of just continuing for the sake of it. The mouth in front was still not sure, and was still arguing when I checked my watch and it was already 20 minutes gone. The moment I got softer was the moment this other voice in my head was whispering, “your parents/family will understand, you are not answerable to the world and things happen, sometimes it doesn’t work out”.  And that is when I asked them, “how much time do I have, a month? Thank you, it was lovely working for you.”

Cut to today’s evening conversation, I was not taken aback, no. But I was prepared, no, no to that also. But after today’s conversation I was quicker to reach the conclusion and realize, “it happens”.  No, my life was not dependent on it, as it was, anyway, a temporary arrangement. Yeah, I was a little disappointed as I was thinking of continuing or rather maintaining the status quo. Plus, it was good fun and entertainment. I mean who doesn’t like doing what brings joy to him/her even for free.

I liked my conduct as there was not a sheer of anger either in my tone or behavior or any thought or vibe. On the contrary I was smiling.  I agreed that, yes, we must part. It is not that there are loads of work or money or pleasure. In fact, the only thing consistent from the last such conversation and today’s is, that my family/friends will understand and I am not answerable to the world. But this time around I was okay to let it go.

Letting it go is a difficult thing indeed! Be it professional or personal, it is always difficult, yup each time. But then holding onto things doesn’t help either. The sooner we come to terms with reality the swifter we will  work to make our life better. Like what else is there in life but to become better? And if letting it go helps, then do let it go.