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Written by Sita Ester      |       22 April 2026

When, in life, is something transient, and when is it disposable?

When do we know that something is ready to be let go of, to shift, to change - or that we are running from the invitation to go deeper?

This question is a tough nut to crack, and one that is very alive in my world.

Sometimes, things have run their course: Relationships, jobs, experiences, processes, ways of being. Sometimes death, decay and change is inevitable - and necessary - and things are transient: like the changing of the seasons and the shifting phases of the moon, or the caterpillar transforming in its cocoon.

But when are we (mis)using the idea of transience as a way to dispose of something that in fact has potential to grow into something beautiful, if we stay?

Or when are we avoiding the actual decay in itself, in order to not have to face the pain of loss?

The caterpillar has to stay, and go through its decay in order to become a beautiful butterfly. But is it also so that he could choose not to, and remain a caterpillar for the rest of its life, and never live the beautiful life a butterfly can have?

I guess the caterpillar has no choice - it is its nature to transform.

But as humans, do we have a choice? And do we sometimes mistake, or try to (consciously or unconsciously) manipulate the natural transience of things?

To avoid or delay a transformation by refusing to let go? Or.. to see things quickly as disposable and say: "oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be" as a way to avoid a possibly painful but most likely very rewarding process of transformation and deepening into ourselves (and whatever or whomever we are relating to) as we stay and face the situation?

And how do we know the difference?

When is something truly transient, and when are we disposing of something that actually needed more time, space and presence to flourish?

I don't know the answer. But I feel the truth lies within our truest inner landscapes.

When we look at the natural world, it transforms and changes all the time: impermanence is the only unchanging thing, and nature's innate intelligence doesn't overthink things - they just happen, whatever the consequences - and it will bear those consequences, as it has no choice.

Do we as humans have a choice — or just the illusion of it? Do we actually have the power to manipulate the natural way of things, or do we simply want to believe we do?

Perhaps before we answer the question of whether we are allowing transience or sucumbing to premature disposability, we have to ask ourselves: from which energy are we moving? Are we letting go from fear, or truth? Are we staying from love, or fear of loss?

When we feel ourselves trapped in that space of not knowing - to stay, to go, to fight for or let go of - can we surrender and rest our minds, and transport ourselves into the caterpillars cocoon?

Can we become it, for just a moment? 

Can we feel what is being asked of us here?

Not with our ever questioning minds, but with our bodies, with our hearts?

Can we tap into that innate intelligence that runs through us? And let ourselves be carried by its wisdom? 

Close your eyes, and go there now.

Feel the wisdom of the natural order of things seep through your skin and into your heart.

Then, when you rest there, how do you feel? 

Do you wish to stay, or do you need to let go?

What does your body already know?

(Written by a human)