I’ve been wearing a black ribbed turtleneck all winter that is too big for me. Every time I wash it, I try to push it to the back of my closet, but somehow, I always end up wearing it again. It really should go in the donation pile—but I hesitate.

Why is it so hard to let go of something that isn’t the right fit?

We do this in life, too. We hold onto things—jobs, relationships, even ideas of who we should be—because they feel familiar, even when they don’t truly fit.

A few years ago, I took a job that seemed perfect on paper. I was experienced, qualified, and ready for it to be my next chapter. But within weeks, it became clear that it wasn’t the right place for me. At the time, it felt like failure. But looking back, I see the difference between not fitting in and being in the wrong place.

Not fitting in suggests that something is lacking in you. Being in the wrong place simply means there’s a better fit elsewhere.

Seth Godin puts it well:

“It’s easy to be distracted by the wave that’s crashing on the shore.
On the other hand, the tide is inexorable. It’s the long-term trend, the one that is quietly happening, over time.
Sometimes, we get caught up in the waves—the sudden changes, the unexpected setbacks. But the tide is always moving forward. What feels like a loss in the moment may actually be the shift that carries us toward something better.”

Now, I’m in a place that does fit—running my own store, curating vintage home goods that bring personality and soul into people’s spaces. Every day, I get to hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces, reimagine how they can be used, and connect with people who love the charm of the past as much as I do. It’s not always easy—building a business comes with its own waves—but this time, I know I’m riding the right tide.

Maybe that’s why I’ve been holding onto this turtleneck. It’s a reminder that just because something is comfortable doesn’t mean it’s right. And just like I’ve learned to trust the tide, maybe it’s time to finally donate that sweater and make space for something new.