Learning to Let Go


This past weekend, I finally donated 36 books to the local charity shop. Thirty-six!

Why is that such a big deal?

Because each book represented an unfinished story I could no longer read. About three years ago, my sight deteriorated rapidly—so quickly that within months I went from enjoying my favourite pastime to struggling with tiny print and the harsh glare of the pages. At the time, I was only just beginning to face what Usher Syndrome would mean for me. Letting go of my books felt like admitting defeat, like saying: “Okay, Ushers, you win.” And that wasn’t fair. Why should I let it take away something so important to me?

Reading was always a huge part of my life. At school, I was the one with a book in hand or tucked away in the library during break. I loved browsing charity shop shelves for hidden treasures. For months, I kept my collection, stubbornly thinking: “Maybe one day I’ll be able to read them again.”

But life moves on. And now, letting go doesn’t feel like losing—it feels like opening the door to new things. I still collect, just differently: CDs, DVDs, video games. I still read too, only now through the Kindle app on my iPad. Honestly, it’s even better on the go (and definitely lighter to carry!). My life isn’t boring or incomplete—it’s just different. That’s part of growing, adapting, and maturing.

And that empty shelf? Don’t worry—it won’t stay empty for long. It’s the perfect space for rolls of 3D printer filament. Because when you make room for change, sometimes you make room for creativity too.

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