Editor’s Note

Dear World,

This entry to The Suburban Guest blog series, like many others, is open to interpretation according to how you’re currently experiencing life. Jermaine, the Suburban Guest for this post has chosen to write about the process of letting go. The ‘what’ or the “whom” that you release and let go of is important. Though she’s speaking through her own experience, she also wants you, the reader, to think deeply and objectively identify the ‘what’ or ‘whom’ you want to or should let go of.

With almost everything else in life, the process of release and letting go completely or partially is dependent on time. This is most evident through the four seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Now, we know that time waits on no man, and we also know that one person’s perception of duration is solely dependent on how they experience life. So, as much as we can quote all the sayings that are time-related like, “time longer than rope”, we can also bear in mind that “time and tide wait for no man”.

So, how do you traverse your journeys of letting go? What exactly are you releasing, and why?

Though the messages written, edited, and shared by Suburban Guests may resonate with The Suburban Girl JA®, they are not our own and they do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and ideals we value.

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA®

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Prelude to expected, timed, & seasonal change

I think one of the best ways to understand the process of letting go is through seasons.

After reading the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3, it became even clearer to me how life flows and how learning to move with those shifts is part of staying in God’s will.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 | NIV)

For some time, I’ve found myself in what I can only call a constant training session – learning what it means to trust God, to move when He says move, and to stay put when things don’t make sense. One of the hardest lessons has been knowing when it’s time to let go.

Like the sands in the hourglass (yes, that line stuck with me, so we’re keeping it), so are the days of our lives. We can’t hold on to everything and move forward at the same time. So, let’s walk through what I’ve learned – season by season.

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Editor’s interjection: Before we head into Jermain’s take on the seasons and how the contribute to the process of letting go, I want to make some things more obvious because we know that some folks don’t enjoy doing deep dives.

The Suburban Guest mentions Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the New International Version of the Bible, but she didn’t share the entirety of the verses. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to ensure its laid out in full.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot, A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to tear down and a time to build, A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance, A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, A time to search and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace.

Though The Suburban Girl JA is not a Christian-based blog, we acknowledge, here, that infusing Christianity – like in some of the other posts from the series – is important to Guests and like-minded readers. As such, it’s clear that the passage beautifully illustrates the ebb and flow of life’s experiences. The time to do particular tasks is not all the time. Each item on all of your to-do lists have a time and place. This includes the when and how you go about letting go of things, people, and places that no longer serve the purpose of lifting you up according to your values and principles.

Let’s get back to Jermaine.

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Spring: Make Space for New Beginnings

Spring is that beautiful season of new life and fresh starts. In this season, letting go is about clearing space so that new things can take root.

In relationships, whether business, family, or friendships, this is often the “honeymoon phase.” You’re excited, you see potential, and you’re ready to walk down this path.

Side note: Have the conversation. Get clear on intentions. If both parties aren’t on the same page, please leave expeditiously. Clarity now saves heartache later.

Lesson: Let go of uncertainty and embrace clarity. You can’t build on shaky ground. 

Summer: Stay Focused & Set Boundaries

Summer is that season of growth and abundance, but it also brings distractions and challenges.

Things will pop up. Sometimes big things. Sometimes small things that feel big based on how we’ve been conditioned.

In this season, it’s important to be intentional about who you’re doing life with and how you’re moving forward. Not everything deserves your energy.

Talk with your people. Make room for different expectations and perspectives — but also know when to draw boundaries. What you envision may not always match the outcome, and that’s okay. But protect your peace in the process.

Lesson: Let go of distractions and unrealistic expectations. Stay focused on what matters.

Autumn: Release What No Longer Serves You

Ah, Autumn. My favorite metaphor for letting go.

Just like the leaves fall from the trees, there are things in our lives we need to release. Yes, this is the hard part. This season is about positioning yourself for the new by giving thanks for what was and then letting it go.

Whether it’s an old relationship, a past version of yourself, an opportunity that’s run its course, mourn it if you need to, but don’t camp out in that space. Holding on too long will only weigh you down.

Lesson: Let go of the dead weight. You can’t fly if you’re carrying everything from the past.

Winter: Rest, Reflect & Prepare

As the year winds down and we enter Winter, there’s a natural shift into reflection mode.

Be mindful that reflection is not the same as rumination. The goal isn’t to beat yourself up about what didn’t happen or what you think you lost.

Editor’s add: The goal is to gain wisdom from past experiences and use them to shape a stronger future. Reflection should lead to growth and understanding, not guilt or regret.

Ask yourself: How can I use this time to acknowledge what matters, accept what’s behind me, and prepare for what’s ahead?

Remember that every ending holds the seed of a new beginning, but if you’re holding onto burdens that should’ve been left behind, you’ll find yourself stuck when it’s time to move.

Lesson: Let go of self-criticism. Give yourself permission to start fresh.

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Editor’s interjection: Perhaps this is food for thought? Many people recognise the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, as markers of climatic changes, shaping weather patterns and temperature shifts throughout the year. However, they also serve as environmental seasons, influencing ecosystems, plant life, and animal behaviours in profound ways.

Beyond their physical impact, the seasons hold symbolic significance in literature and philosophy, representing stages of growth, change, and transitions in life. Just as nature shifts effortlessly from one season to the next, we, too, experience cycles of renewal, challenge, release, and reflection.

If we take this one step further; perhaps life’s seasons are much like a bus navigating the road network, each stop signaling a moment to pause, move forward, or even change direction entirely, and at the crux of it all, never forget to let go and let God. Let Jesus take the wheel and all things in-between.

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Final Thoughts: You’ve got places to be

I’ll say it again. You are not meant to carry everything. Life will keep moving. Seasons will keep changing. The key is to flow with it and trust that with every release, God is preparing you for something greater.

So today, ask yourself: “What am I still carrying that no longer belongs with me?”. Write it down. Thank it for what it taught you, and then let it go.

Travel light, my friends. You’ve got places to be.

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Read Jermaine’s previous entry for the Suburban Guest series! –> The Fight: Embracing Conflict | Suburban Guest – Jermaine. This entry to the series explores the importance of conflict in personal growth. Jermaine challenges the common belief that conflict is purely negative, instead presenting it as an essential part of becoming who we are meant to be. She categorises conflict into relational fights (family & friends), business battles, and personal growth fights, offering insights on how each shapes us. The piece encourages readers to identify their own conflicts, understand their deeper causes, and approach them with wisdom rather than avoidance. Ultimately, Jermaine emphasises that fighting through challenges refines us, preparing us for the next stage in life

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