Czy porzucenie pasji oznacza porażkę? A może warto pozwolić sobie na zmianę kierunku i odkrywanie nowych ścieżek? Co tracimy, a co zyskujemy, gdy decydujemy się odpuścić? Zapraszam na siódmy odcinek podcastu Umiem po angielsku.
There was a time in my life when I was hooked on cosmetology. Not only was I interested in the topic as a hobby, but I was also considering taking some kind of a course that would help me learn more about skin, nails, hair and how to take care of all that. Back then, I would read loads of books and articles. I would attend events, watch videos. I would spend hours perfecting my blog posts, because I also started writing a blog. So the knowledge about skinc about my mind absorbed was extensive. I wanted to become a self-made specialist, if you will. And then one day, I just let it all go. My name is Anna, and you are listening to the seventh episode of Umiem po angielsku.
In this episode, I’d like you to pay special attention to a few phrases that might be new to you. These phrases are: let something go, delve into, in vain, shift in perspective, take an interest in, and align with something. As you listen, try to understand their meaning from the context. But don’t worry if they feel unfamiliar and you still don’t get them, because I’ll explain each one at the end of the episode. Please remember you can also follow along with the transcription available in the episode description.
We’ve already discussed talent and age limits and self development, so it’s only natural that we also consider the idea of letting go. But how? Pray tell. There is always this subtle voice whispering in one’s ear, finish what you’ve started. Don’t be a failure. It would have been such a waste of time if you stopped right now. Does that sound familiar? Allow me to tell you a short story then.
Once upon a time, a very young woman dreamt about becoming knowledgeable about skincare. Mind you, whenever she set her mind on a goal, nothing could stop her. She started with simple steps such as watching YouTube videos and reading articles online related to the topics she was so engrossed in. She didn’t have to be asked twice to attend beauty events. Over time, she delved into advanced articles and books. She even knew a thing or two about ingredients used in beauty products. Eventually, she figured that it was high time to start a blog, and so she did. While writing, she buried herself in resources from which she drew knowledge. She poured her heart into it, and it seemed like nothing could make her stop.
You’ve probably guessed by now that the story is about me. I really did all those things and was deeply into skincare. Yet after more than a year, it all came to an end. I’m not entirely sure why; perhaps it was just, you know, slow transition into something else, new hobby or new interests. Nowadays, I’m no longer into beauty stuff as much as I used to be, but I don’t think it was all in a vain. Cosmetology gave me so much, even though I’ve left it behind, I don’t consider it a waste of time by any means, because I learnt a lot about the human body, which helped me understand myself better, actually, helped me understand what is going on with my body, because it wasn’t just cosmetology, it was a little bit of anatomy of the human body, etc. I also realised that my skin, hair and nails can reflect the state of my overall health. Realising that skin, hair, and nails can reflect the state of my overall health made me appreciate their role even more. I stopped fighting with my imperfect skin and started caring for it instead. So long story short, that shift in perspective led me to take an interest in psychology and view people as a whole—body and mind, inseparable. On top of that, I know now how to take care of my skin properly, and for that, I’ll be always grateful.
After listening to this episode of the podcast, I’d like you to remember one thing. That it’s easy to feel a sense of failure when we decide to leave something behind. But I think it’s really important to remember that not every journey needs to lead to mastery. Setting diverse goals can be just as fulfilling. And sometimes achieving a basic level—like, for example, reaching A2 in English—can be enough for someone’s needs and shouldn’t be seen as a failure. As we grow, our priorities evolve, and so do we. It’s perfectly okay to shift focus or let go of things that no longer serve us. These changes are a natural part of life and contribute to our personal growth, really. After all, maintaining every skill at a satisfactory level would require constant repetition and effort. It’s a nearly impossible task to keep revising everything all the time. What we need at different stages of life varies and sometimes leaving something behind can be, can be the wisest choice we make.
All in all, letting go doesn’t mean failure—it means making space for new opportunities and aligning with what truly matters to us at different stages of life. Remember, every experience shapes us and contributes to who we are. The knowledge and skills we’ve gained are ours forever, even if we no longer use them. So don’t be afraid to move forward and embrace change. It’s really not a waste of time to let something go, to say goodbye. When you let go of one thing, you’ve got more room to do something else.
Okay, so let’s go through the phrases I’ve told you about before:
Let something go
It means to stop holding on to something, whether physically or emotionally or to give up on a goal or activity. For instance, after years of trying, he decided to let her go and focus on something else.
Delve into
Delve into means to explore something thoroughly or to investigate deeply. Example, she delved into the history of ancient civilization for her research.
In vain.
In vain means without success or results. Uselessly. For example, all his efforts were in vain as the plan failed.
Shift in perspective
It is a change in the way you see or understand something. For example, traveling to other countries often brings a shift in perspective. So it means that traveling to other countries make us see or understand world differently, that’s a shift. That’s shift in perspective.
Take an interest in
Take an interest in means to become curious or enthusiastic about something. For instance, he’s recently taken an interest in photography. The last but not least, align with something.
Align with something
means to match or agree with something such as values, goals or priorities. For example, her decision to change careers aligns with her desire for a better work life balance.
Thank you so much for listening and as always, take care and set realistic goals, because practice is more important than perfection. Cheers.
Umiem po angielsku 