Life constantly teaches us the balance between holding on and letting go.
Whether it’s a borrowed item that feels like our own, a temporary role we settle into or a Leadership position we invest deeply in, we often forget that some things are never truly ours to keep. This article explores this idea through two personal anecdotes – one about borrowing a book and unintentionally making it my own, and another about stepping into someone else’s role at work, only to realise how temporary it was. These experiences reflect what happens in Corporate life as well – people step into positions, make an impact, and then one day, have to move on.

Whether it is an object, a chair or a Leadership role, the real lesson isn’t just about taking charge but also about knowing when to step back with grace.

The Art of Holding On and Letting Go

Life is all about knowing what to hold on to and when to let go. We get attached to objects, our roles and even certain moments, making them feel like they belong to us. But sooner or later, we’re reminded that some things aren’t ours to keep.

The same is true in Corporate life, especially when Senior Leaders retire or move on. They spend years shaping teams, driving change and making an impact and often become the face of the Department or an entire organisation. But eventually, the time comes to step away, no matter how deeply they’ve been involved. It’s never easy – letting go of the authority, influence and a role they’ve put themselves into. Yet, that’s the nature of Leadership. No position is permanent. The real challenge isn’t just about taking charge but also about knowing when to step back with grace, appreciate the journey and trust that the legacy we leave behind will continue in capable hands.

The Borrowed Book

Back in school, I borrowed a book from one of my seniors. It was an old, well-worn copy – its pages slightly yellowed to show it had been read and re-read. At the time, I was just excited to get it. I never imagined that this book would become so mine that I’d forget it wasn’t.

I got completely lost in study. I underlined sentences, scribbled thoughts in the margins with a pencil, even dog-eared some corners as if it was my own copy. Over time, it blended into my bookshelf, sitting among my own books like it had always been there. I forgot all about it.

Then, one day, my senior showed up.

“Hey, do you still have that book I lent you?” he asked me casually.

I was just surprised, “Book? No, I don’t think so. I don’t have any borrowed books from you.”

He raised an eyebrow. Something felt off, and my gut told me to check, so right in front of him, I walked over to my book rack.

And there it was. For a moment, I just stared at it, my face growing hot.

My handwriting was in it. My underlined passages, notes and thoughts scattered across its pages. I had completely convinced myself I didn’t have it, and here it was sitting right in front of me.

I turned around slowly, handed over the book with an awkward smile. “Found it.”

He smiled, flipping through the pages.

I laughed, half-embarrassed.

That book taught me something. Some things no matter how much we think to make them a part of our world, they are only meant to pass through our hands. We only realize true ownership when we’re forced to let go. It’s in that moment of return – sometimes unexpected, sometimes uncomfortable – that we understand what ours was never truly ours to begin with.

Life moves forward. And sometimes, the best thing we can do is close the book, cherish the story and give it back.

Much like that borrowed book, our roles and responsibilities can feel like they belong to us when we invest ourselves in them. We settle in, leave our mark and shape them to fit our own ways. But just as books must be returned to their rightful owners, we must step away from our roles when the time comes.

This isn’t just true for personal experiences but extends to the professional world as well. In Corporate life, we often step into roles temporarily, whether by filling in for someone or taking on Leadership positions. We immerse ourselves in them, take ownership and make meaningful contributions. But just as a book must go back to its owner, or a borrowed seat must be vacated, there comes a time when we must move on, making space for the next person to take their turn.

The Temporary Seat

A few years ago, I was working with a manufacturing unit. I had joined the company just a few months back when a very senior HR officer went on long leave due to medical reasons. To my surprise, I was asked to take over his role of time office & payroll admin in his absence – all his responsibilities, authority, subordinates and even his seat.

At first, it felt strange. His desk, his files and his way of doing things – I had stepped into a space that wasn’t mine. In addition to my own role, I was now handling his responsibilities as well, which significantly increased my workload.

But soon, I settled in. I didn’t just manage the work; I made it my own. I introduced changes, digitalisation, new payroll software, streamlined processes and set things in motion that, in my mind, made everything smoother. I even got an award for it at the Corporate level.

Weeks passed, and I got comfortable in my new role. Maybe too comfortable. Then, one day, he returned.

And suddenly, I had to move out-not just from the chair but from the control I had grown used to. It was awkward. He had his way of working, and my changes had altered things significantly. Some adjustments worked well, but others clashed with how he preferred things. It wasn’t easy for either of us.

That experience taught me a lot. First, no matter how much we adapt to a role, some things are never truly ours. We are just caretakers for a while. Second, getting attached to something temporary can make it harder to let go. I had settled into a seat that was never meant to be mine permanently, and stepping away felt unsettling.

At the heart of it all, life is a series of borrowed moments. We hold on, we
invest, we grow – but ultimately, we must also let go. Whether it’s a well-loved book, a temporary role or even a leadership position, everything has its time. The real wisdom lies not in avoiding attachment but in understanding that nothing truly belongs to us forever. When it’s time to step back, we do so, knowing that moving forward isn’t about losing something – it’s about making room for what’s next.