As the year winds down, I have been sitting with a truth that deserves more attention: the strength to walk away from something that almost fits.

Not the disasters and not the obvious no’s. I am talking about the close enough things, the nearly aligned relationship, the job that is fine but not fulfilling, the situations that check most boxes but still feel slightly off in your chest.

Your mind loves familiarity. It will talk you into comfort, into staying, into settling for something that technically works even if it quietly kills you. It will whisper, “It isn’t that bad… you could make this work… just be flexible.” But here is the truth: TRUE Alignment is not built on almosts. It is built on being honest with yourself, even when that honesty is inconvenient.

If you are constantly negotiating your boundaries, it is not aligned.
If your intuition feels louder than the potential, it is not aligned.
If you have to shrink to stay, it is definitely not aligned.

Every time you choose not to settle for an almost, you move closer to what actually fits, what does not require contortion, convincing, or self-abandonment.

It takes strength to walk away from what nearly works. Comfort is persuasive, but honesty with yourself is stronger. Every time you turn down an almost, you get closer to what is actually meant for you.

How to Actually Apply This

Let’s talk about the practical ways to walk away from an almost and move toward what is actually aligned:

• Check your body before your brain. Your mind negotiates. Your body knows. Pay attention to the tension, hesitation, or relief you feel when you imagine walking away.
• Ask yourself one question. “If this stayed exactly the same for the next year, would I still want it?” Almosts fall apart quickly under that lens.
• Notice what you have to trade to keep it. If the cost is your peace, your standards, or parts of yourself you actually like, it is too expensive.
• Stop romanticizing potential. Judge things on what they are, not what they could be if everything magically shifted.
• Look at the version of you the situation requires. If it demands a smaller you, it is a no.
• Practice micro exits. Start saying no in small ways, reducing effort, or creating distance until you are ready to leave fully.
• Choose clarity over comfort. Comfort keeps you where you have been. Clarity gets you where you are meant to go.

Being Stuck is a Choice

Remember settling is still a choice. And so is walking away. One leads backward. One leads forward.

Walking away from an almost is not easy. It takes courage, self-trust, and patience. But every no you give to what does not fully fit is a yes to what truly belongs in your life. It is a commitment to yourself, to your growth, and to the life you actually want. As you reflect on this year and step into the next, remember alignment is not found in compromise or comfort. It is found in honesty, in boundaries, and in the strength to walk away when it is not enough.