We find out how strong we are in the moments of uncertainty life inevitably gives us. The unplanned events – layoffs, death, disease or divorce – can come crashing into our world at any moment.

Then the questionable life changes crop up. Should I stay or should I go? Should I buy or save? Should I forgive or forget? Should I move or not? The shoulds become a thirsty internal craving as we try to process the best outcome for our life.

The problem? In doing this, we often hold onto what no longer works.

I have a friend who is in a negative situation, and he’s hanging on for dear life because he wants to be brave and tough it out. He told me, “Giving up is not an option,” which so many of us believe.

But when holding on to something hurts our health and potential to be happy, we have to look closely at why we’re choosing to stay.

Life is a balance of holding on and letting go. We strive to make the right choice but how do we know when it is truly time to let go and move on?

Romantic relationships, jobs, even places we live have an expiration date. Sometimes we hold on to things that aren’t working out of fear we won’t find something better.

Perhaps our greatest fear is the unknown, which is why so many of us grasp, hold on and manipulate our situations trying to control our surroundings. But the outcome is always the same: more pain, immense frustration and ginormous guilt and blame.

To avoid the toxic outburst of staying in situations that no longer serve you, ask yourself if any of the following 20 signs apply.

20 Signs It’s Time To Let Go And Move On

1. When your thoughts go to memories more than the present.

2. When the situation causes you more pain than joy.

3. When you expect, hope and plead for the person, place or situation to change.

4. When you become complacent, bored or resentful.

5. When the pattern persists even though you tried to fix it.

6. When you feel alone, unheard or disrespected.

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About the Author

Shannon Kaiser’s the best-selling author of Find Your Happy, Find Your Happy Daily Mantras, and the new book Adventures for Your Soul. She appears regularly as an happiness expert on AM Northwest and Huff Post Live, and was named among the “100 Women to Watch in Wellness” by mindbodygreen. Shannon’s the founder of Playwiththeworld.com, an award-winning self-help and personal development website. She’s an author, international life coach, teacher, and inspirational speaker who left her job in advertising several years ago to follow her heart and become a writer.

Her work has been recognized in media outlets such as HuffPost Live, Health Magazine, and Australian Vogue, and she writes for mindbodygreen and the Huffington Post. Everything Shannon does is to help you connect to your true self and unapologetically live your authentic purpose.