We all have them—those deeply ingrained habits or beliefs we hold onto so tightly that they feel non-negotiable. Maybe it’s the way you structure your morning routine, the approach you take at work, or a long-held belief about what success looks like. These “sacred cows” aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, they often originate from a good place. But sometimes, what worked for us once can become a roadblock to growth.
Letting go of sacred cows isn’t about abandoning everything you value. It’s about reassessing whether they still serve you. It’s uncomfortable, yes, but also liberating.
Here’s how I learned to identify and let go of sacred cows—and how you can too.
Why Sacred Cows Hold Us Back
Sacred cows are comforting. They provide structure and certainty in an uncertain world. But over time, habits or beliefs can become so ingrained that we stop questioning them—even when they no longer fit.
For example, I used to believe that productivity meant working late into the night. It was my badge of honor, a ritual I’d held onto for years. But eventually, it stopped working. I was exhausted, my creativity plummeted, and my evenings became a blur of burnout.
What I realized was this: Sacred cows often stick around not because they’re effective, but because we fear what life looks like without them.
Step 1: Spotting Your Sacred Cows
The first step to change is recognizing what needs to change. Start by asking yourself:
- What habits, routines, or beliefs do I feel I “must” keep?
- What areas of my life feel stuck or frustrating?
- Am I holding onto something because it’s effective—or because it’s familiar?
Sometimes, your sacred cows are so ingrained that you don’t even see them. If that’s the case, pay attention to resistance. Are there certain changes you immediately dismiss as “not for me”? That resistance might point to a belief worth examining.
Step 2: Reevaluate the “Why”
Sacred cows often start with good intentions. The problem is, we rarely revisit them.
Take some time to reflect: Why did I start this habit or adopt this belief in the first place? Does it still align with your goals, values, or current reality?
For me, working late used to feel empowering. It was my way of proving dedication early in my career. But as my priorities shifted, that belief became outdated—and harmful.
Step 3: Experiment With Change
Letting go doesn’t have to mean a full-blown revolution. Start with small experiments:
- Replace the habit temporarily: If you always start your day with email, try starting with a creative task instead for one week.
- Challenge the belief: If you believe you need to say yes to every request, try saying no once and observe the outcome.
- Track the results: How does it feel? Is the change creating more space, clarity, or progress?
These low-stakes experiments can help you break free from “all-or-nothing” thinking and build confidence in trying something new.
Step 4: Embrace Discomfort
Letting go of sacred cows is uncomfortable. It challenges your identity and forces you into unfamiliar territory. That’s normal.
Instead of avoiding discomfort, lean into it. Remind yourself that growth happens outside of your comfort zone. When doubts creep in, ask: Am I clinging to this because it’s helping—or because it’s safe?
Step 5: Replace, Don’t Eliminate
When you let go of a sacred cow, replace it with something that aligns with your current goals. The key is not to create a vacuum but to build a new habit or mindset that feels empowering.
For example, when I let go of my late-night work sessions, I replaced them with an intentional wind-down routine: shutting my laptop by 7 p.m., taking a walk, and reading before bed. The new ritual didn’t just fill the gap—it improved my productivity the next day.
Step 6: Revisit and Adjust
Letting go isn’t a one-time decision. It’s an ongoing process of evaluation and adjustment. Regularly check in with yourself:
- Is this new habit or belief serving me?
- What’s working well, and what isn’t?
- Am I holding onto something new that could become the next sacred cow?
Growth is cyclical. The more you revisit and refine, the more nimble you become at adapting to change.
What Letting Go Can Open Up
When you release what no longer serves you, you create space—for new habits, fresh perspectives, and opportunities you might have missed.
For me, letting go of my late-night work habit didn’t just improve my energy levels. It gave me the clarity to focus on high-priority tasks during the day and the freedom to enjoy my evenings guilt-free.
Your sacred cows might look different, but the result is the same: letting go frees you to live in alignment with your present, not your past.
A Gentle Reminder
Change isn’t about rejecting who you were. It’s about embracing who you’re becoming. Letting go of sacred cows is an act of self-awareness and self-trust—a way of saying, “I’m allowed to grow.”
So, what’s one habit or belief you’re ready to question? Start there, and let the journey unfold. You might just find that letting go is the first step toward something better.
