When Worn-In Relationships Become Worn Out

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We can all relate to holding onto something for just a little too long. For many of us, this could be the case when it comes to a failed relationship. Perhaps you’re clinging onto that tiny ounce of hope that maybe, one day, things will go back to the way they once were. You sit there, waiting patiently and quietly — expecting some sort of magical solution that will solve all of your problems and bring back you back together so you can live happily ever after. Eventually, however, in most cases, you realize that nothing can change while you’re waiting around. There comes a time when you finally accept your loss of control and let yourself go from that delicate line you’ve been hanging onto.

For instance: everyone knows a plant can’t grow while you’re keeping it in the shade, just like a pot of water never comes to a boil by watching it. And a sweater won’t dry unless you leave it out on the line.
So you leave the sweater out on the line. You let it dry.

While it’s out there, you could decide to watch it hang; soaking up the sun and blowing around in the wind, but that’s not going to change the fact that it’s wet and simply needs time to dry. Even though it’s your favorite sweater, it’s not going to make any exceptions just for you. It’s completely understandable that you’d want your best sweater to hurry up and get back to its warm-cozy-wearable state, but you just have to give it time.

While the drying process occurs, you may find other things to occupy your time. You distract yourself by trying on some new sweaters — some that actually look quite nice and fit rather perfectly. You begin to realize how many others suit you, too! While forgetting about the sweater on the line, you go out and show off some new ones. It doesn’t cross your mind that someone might come by and notice the one you left on the line. It wouldn’t bother you if someone were to stop and admire it, because you know it will be there waiting for you when you return.

So let’s say you return home and your sweater is finally dry. You take off the new one and get re-acquainted with the old, familiar fabric that had always wrapped around you perfectly. You realize that while it was out on the line, it became a little torn and stretched, so you try to ignore the fact that it doesn’t fit you quite the same.

Since you don’t feel like taking the time to repair your old sweater, you decide to revert back to the new ones and begin to wear them a little more. Meanwhile, your old one hangs there without a purpose.
Did you ever realize that maybe your old favorite could end up being someone else’s favorite as well? Sure, it may have a few rips and tears — it may be a little out-dated, but it could also be the perfect fit for someone other than you.

Although it’s always been your favorite, you begin understand that other people may appreciate it just as much, if not more, than you. You realize it could potentially look a lot better on someone with a different style, a different figure, or a person who would be willing to take the time patch up those holes. It might be devastating to let go of your favorite sweater, but you know it’s pointless to leave it hanging in your closet ‘just in case.’

Think of how many sweaters you’ve owned and loved, and think of how many you’ve outgrown. Just because something no longer fits, is no longer your style, or no longer has that cozy feel to it, doesn’t deny the fact that it could be perfect for someone else.

Because whether it’s a sweater, or a relationship, or anything in between — whatever it is that’s being neglected, unappreciated, and not used to its full potential, let it go, give it away, and allow it be loved by someone else. Don’t keep it around for safety. Don’t keep it around because that’s what you know, and what you rely on, and what you think will always be there for you. Because not only should you learn to move on, but your old favorite deserves the chance to become someone’s new, current — and maybe even forever favorite, too.

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