Burning Bridges: Yes or No?
Dr. Irina Koyfman, DNP, NP-C, RN
Clinician I Board Member I Author I Investor I Speaker I Podcast Guest I Entrepreneur I SME in CCM, RPM, Dementia Care I Certified in Stress Management, Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, AI in Medicine.
If you’re like me—inspired, but at times tired and a little annoyed by all the “new year, new me” posts flooding your feed—here’s a breath of fresh air.
Today, I received an email from @Bryan K. Williams that struck a chord:
“The past cannot be undone. Yes, you can learn from it and assess areas to improve—but true success doesn’t live in the past or the future. It lies in what you do today. Right now.”
The email continued:
"So many of us stay stuck because we’re anchored to what happened yesterday. Burn the bridge."
I couldn’t stop thinking about this. Bridges can be beautiful. They take us from one place to another. But some bridges? They tether us to the past—our mistakes, comfort zones, and false beliefs about who we are or what we deserve.
“If you leave the bridge intact, you may be tempted to go back. But there is NOTHING for you back there. Burn the bridge.”
I asked myself—do we really need to burn every bridge? Or are some bridges worth keeping?
Here’s what I believe:
🔥 Burn the bridge if it keeps you stuck in regret, fear, or shame.
🌉 Keep the bridge if it represents valuable connections, lessons, or growth that help you move forward.
What do you think? And how do you know which bridge is which?
Founder and Chief Clinical and Operations Officer, Pain Management Specialist, Healthcare Entrepreneur and Advocate for Innovative Care
7moThat’s a profound question. While the saying “don’t burn bridges” advises keeping relationships intact for potential future needs, some bridges—those tied to toxic relationships, harmful environments, or unproductive ties—might be worth letting go of if they hinder your growth or well-being. Burning a bridge, though, is a significant step. It ensures there’s no going back, so it’s essential to weigh the cost. Will severing this connection free you or prevent you from something meaningful down the line? If the bridge keeps you tethered to pain, regret, or stagnation, burning it might not just be worthwhile but necessary for your progress.