Walking Away

I had an interesting conversation with a colleague today that made me think about the concept of walking away. When we think about walking away from a situation, it implies abandonment or lack of engagement. In this conversation, walking away was a choice. It was a choice to not engage in a situation that was presented poorly. One that caused this person hurt and pain. Rather do something that was career-limiting-- like yell back, or start a fight, or blame others-- this person picked up their belongings and walked away.

When I spoke with my colleague, they were filled with remorse for how things had gone, but they recognize that if they had stayed it wouldn't have gone well. In our conversation, she owned that walking away might not have been the best thing but it was the right thing. I have to give her credit for that. Instead of making a bad situation worse, she picked herself up and walked away.

Are there things in your life that you need to walk away from? Perhaps they are emotional things or relationships that create more problems than bring joy. Perhaps it's drama, emotions, relationships, or your workplace. Our lives are different, so it's not on me to tell you what you need to walk away from or even that there is something that you should walk away from.

Take the time this week to reflect on the things that do not bring you joy and how you might be able to walk away from them.

photo credit: athara_tulsi

I'm walking away from the troubles in my life. I'm walking away, to find a better way.
-Craig David