Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 109: Letting Go.

Hi Steemit community,

Let’s talk about something we all know too well: the art—and the pain—of letting go.

What “Letting Go” Means to Me

I used to think letting go was just about closing a chapter, walking away, and shutting the door. In my early days, it sounded simple enough. But what I actually found out is that letting go is messy. It’s staying when you’re unsure, it’s realising you don’t have the map anymore, it’s quiet surrender—boy, it hurt. Letting go became not just a phrase, but a process of unravelling who I thought I was, and learning who I really needed to becom

My Fictional Story (Written From My Heart)

There was someone I’ll call him Kelvin. We never had a name for what we were. We said things like “just us,” “we’ll see,” and “I don’t want labels yet.” But inside, I already built worlds.

In the beginning, Kelvin’s words were wrapped in warmth. He called late at night just to hear my voice. He sent good‑morning texts even when work had him tired. He laughed at my jokes, he showed up when I thought he wouldn’t, and I felt like maybe this would be different. I let my guard down. I believed I was noticed.

We were so close, almost like best friends. Kelvin and I talked every single day without fail. There was always something to say, even if it was just random. He never stopped admiring me or telling me how beautiful I looked. It felt sweet, consistent, and familiar. You know that kind of connection where you don’t have to force anything? That’s what it was like. I genuinely felt seen and appreciated.

But sometimes, even the ones who praise you the most leave you the most confused...

Then it changed. It wasn’t abrupt. More like a slow fade. One weekend he cancelled plans with no real excuse. The next time I asked about us, he said “We’ll talk” but the talk never came. One afternoon I watched his status—smiling with someone else. My stomach twisted. I asked myself, wait, when did you stop needing me? When I mentioned it, he said “You’re overthinking.” And I agreed, for a while.

There were amazing moments too. Candlelight dinner on a random Tuesday. Walks by the river. Sharing dreams about what we’d do. But each beautiful memory came with a question mark hanging over the truth of where I stood. On days I felt confident, I thought: He’s mine. On other days, I wondered: Am I even part of his life at all?

I would catch myself rewriting his silence. I’d read the time he didn’t call and tell myself, “He’s busy.” When he didn’t reply, I told myself, “He’ll reply tomorrow.” But there were more “tomorrows” when I sat waiting than there were “yeses.”

The tipping point arrived quietly. I was cleaning my room taking down pictures of us, deleting messages. I kept a photo of the two of us but moved it from my phone’s front screen to a folder. It felt like a betrayal and a relief at the same time.

One night I texted him: So where am I in your life?He sent back: You know where you are.
I stared at the message for a long time. I realised: if I’m asking him where I am that means I’m already lost.

Why and How I Knew It Was Time to Let Go

1. My value slipped through his fingers
I noticed the person I was becoming confused, anxious, pleading for attention. I had lost my self-respect. I began measuring my worth by his actions. That’s a red flag. When someone else’s inconsistency defines your mood, you know you’re giving away too much of yourself.

2. The fear of loss outweighed the joy of gain
At first being with him felt like winning a prize. Later it felt like walking on broken glass, hoping each step wouldn’t tear my foot. I couldn’t enjoy the ride anymore. I turned off the music. I stopped dancing. Letting go meant I stop dancing to someone else’s tune.

3. My heart whispered truths he wouldn’t speak
You know that few moments when you’re silent and your heart says things you’ve ignored? I kept hearing: This isn’t enough. This doesn’t feel safe. Can I trust the plan? When you begin listening to your heart instead of overruling it with hope, you’ve come to a crossroads.

4. I chose me, before I lost me
So yeah, I believe letting go is something we should understand deeply because it happens, whether we like it or not. It doesn’t mean we lose it means we evolve. If you’re in a tangled point right now unsure where you stand, if you’re real to someone or just convenient it’s okay. Letting go doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re done waiting for answers someone won’t give. It means you’re choosing you.

Letting go doesn’t erase memories or remove their imprint. But it frees you from waiting for a love that’s inconsistent. It frees you to love better to give, receive, and respect. And most importantly, it frees you to live fully.

This was the hardest line. Not “I’m walking away from you,” but “I’m walking toward me.” I realised I needed space to breathe, to find me outside his world. I needed a relationship that didn’t ask me to shrink or chase. So I let go. And I didn’t just break up,I let go of the idea I had of us.

Letting Go Was Not an Event, It Was a Journey

It wasn’t deleting his numbers and never looking back. It was days I cried, days I laughed. It was rebuilding trust in myself. It was waking up without waiting for a text. It was saying yes to my dreams, one small step at a time. I bought flowers for my room. I travelled, even if it was just to the next town. I spoke to old friends. I looked at myself in the mirror and said: You deserve better. And slowly, the fear of being alone turned into the peace of being with myself.

What I Learned Along the Way

• Your presence should be cherished, not wrung out.
• Love isn’t chasing someone’s fleeting affection.
• Respect is non-negotiable,even with yourself.
• Closure isn’t always a conversation. Sometimes it’s an act of self-care.
• Letting go isn’t giving up it’s making space for what’s real.

Conclusion

In the end, I had to let Kelvin go. We were so close, like best friends. He always complimented me, and we talked every day. But slowly, things changed. One minute he was sweet, the next I felt like I didn’t matter.

It hurt, but I realized I couldn’t keep holding on to someone who made me question myself. Letting go wasn’t easy, but it gave me peace. Now, I’m learning to choose myself and protect my heart.

Letting go didn’t mean I stopped caring — it just meant I started caring for myself more.

Thank you for reading.
If this touched you carry the bravery to walk away from what drags your spirit down and move toward what lifts you,even if you’re late for the contest. You showed up anyway.

Got these photos from the internet.🙏

Inviting @etoro @imohmitch @davidmarkgeorge