Cut what you can untie

Growing up, my mother always repeated the old proverb, “Don’t cut what you can untie.” A gentle reminder to be patient, to preserve ties, to work through the knots. And sure, that wisdom might work for diplomats and people who have the energy to maintain a web of connections for future political maneuvers. But me? I’ve reached the point in life where I’m not here to untangle the messes other people tie me into.

Here’s the thing: I’m not negotiating world peace. I don’t need to keep things cordial in case there’s a strategic partnership down the line. I’m done with playing the long game of “let’s not burn bridges”, because some bridges should be burned, dismantled, and buried. The older I get, the more I realize that untying people’s nonsense is just a waste of time and, in total honesty, exhausting. The same people who tie you into their mess will turn around and hand you the scissors. So why bother?

So here’s my new mantra: Cut it. I’m not about endless knots of misunderstandings, miscommunications, or mistreatment. I don’t need the drama of untangling who said what or why someone deserves a second (or fiftieth) chance. Life’s too short for bullshit, and no one is getting any awards for emotional diplomacy. If the ties aren’t worth the effort, why not simply cut them loose?