We have a neem tree at our house, just about 2–3 years old. I’ve seen it grow from a tiny sapling into what it is today. For some reason, I feel connected to it like it’s more than just a tree. Maybe because I’ve been there watching it grow day by day.

The other day, my mom asked me to cut a few branches since the rainy season is coming. At first, I didn’t want to. The idea of cutting it down felt wrong, almost like hurting something I care about. But then I stood there looking at it closely. The tree has grown top-heavy, full of leaves, all its weight sitting high up. If strong winds or a storm come, there’s a good chance it might snap right in the middle.

That’s when I realized: I don’t have a choice. If I want the tree to survive, I need to trim it. It’s not about hurting it; it’s about helping it grow stronger and more balanced.

And that thought hit me, this is exactly like life.

We carry so much with us as we grow. Memories, habits, people, mistakes, even responsibilities. Some of them mean a lot to us, and letting go feels painful, almost impossible. But if we try to hold on to everything, at some point, it becomes too heavy. When life throws storms our way, and it always does, we risk breaking under all that weight.

Trimming is painful, but it’s necessary. Whether it’s letting go of a relationship, an old dream, or even parts of ourselves we’ve outgrown, it doesn’t mean we’re weaker without them. In fact, just like the neem tree, it makes us stronger, steadier, and more ready to face whatever comes next.

That day, standing under the neem tree, I understood something simple but powerful sometimes, survival is not about holding on, but about knowing what to let go.