Chris Suchanek, CEO of Firm Media and Forbes™ Agency Council Member, has 25+ years of marketing experience and has launched brands like Omniblend™. He also co-founded Project Boon and manages CASKS Restaurant Group in Los Angeles.
At 33, my life took a sharp and unexpected turn. After a traumatic childhood that led to a young adult life marred by addiction and substance abuse, I found myself mentally and emotionally bankrupt, navigating the pain of a divorce. Despite the turmoil, I made a choice: to give everything I could to life.
I finished high school and pursued a degree in psychology. I built businesses that generated millions in annual revenue and launched an international nonprofit that has served hundreds of thousands of meals. On the outside, it looked like I had achieved success. But after a decade of grinding and striving, I hit another bottom, a different kind of low, one that had nothing to do with external failures and everything to do with internal misalignment.
Somewhere along the way, I had taken the gifts I was born with, my vision, my passion, and my unique way of seeing the world, and squandered them, not in the traditional sense, but by living a life designed to earn validation from others. I made choices based on what I thought would gain approval rather than on what truly mattered to me. I had fallen into the trap of people-pleasing, allowing others’ opinions to dictate my actions, and in the process, I lost touch with my authentic self.
It wasn’t until I found myself emotionally bankrupt that I realized the depth of the problem. I had been looking to others for permission to shine, asking underachievers to validate my desire to be great. But greatness doesn’t come from playing small or seeking approval; it comes from breaking free of the limits others place on you and stepping fully into your power.
I realized a fundamental fact: if you only do the things you read about in books, you’ll never get to write the books. That realization changed my life forever.
As I began to rebuild, I identified the burdens I had been carrying that weren’t mine to bear. Letting go of these misplaced responsibilities wasn’t just liberating. It was transformative. These are the seven truths I discovered about what we are not responsible for and why letting go of them can set you free.
6 things you are not responsible for
1. You don’t have to convince anyone of your worth
Your value is inherent and doesn’t depend on someone else’s recognition. If they can’t see it, that’s their limitation, not yours. Stop wasting time trying to convince others who aren’t capable of understanding your unique contributions.
2. You’re not obligated to meet everyone’s expectations
The expectations others place on you are not your responsibility to fulfill. You cannot live a meaningful life while constantly trying to please everyone. Let people be disappointed; it’s their expectation, not your obligation.
3. You don’t need to justify your decisions
Your choices are a reflection of your goals, values, and experiences. You don’t need anyone’s approval to live authentically. Let others be confused, judgmental, or even critical, it’s not your job to justify yourself to anyone.
4. You’re not responsible for managing someone else’s emotions
Everyone is responsible for processing their own feelings. You can empathize and support others, but you are not their emotional regulator. Let people feel what they feel, it’s part of their journey, not yours.
5. You’re not responsible for solving everyone’s problems
Helping others is a wonderful quality, but it doesn’t mean you’re obligated to rescue everyone. Sometimes, the best way to help them solve a problem is by stepping back and letting them learn through their own challenges.
6. You don’t have to control everything around you
The need to control everything, including people, situations, and outcomes, only leads to exhaustion and frustration. Let go of the illusion of control and focus on what you can manage: your actions, your reactions, and your mindset.
The freedom to focus on yourself by letting go
Letting go of these misplaced responsibilities isn’t selfish; it’s essential. It frees up your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth so you can focus on what truly matters: your own growth, happiness, and purpose.
The moment you stop trying to carry what isn’t yours, you’ll discover how much lighter life feels. By focusing on what you can control, you’ll find the strength and clarity to become the best version of yourself, and that’s where your real power lies.
Letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about making room for what truly matters. And when you do, you’ll finally have the freedom to live a life that’s fully, unapologetically, your own.
Read more from Christopher A. Suchánek
Christopher A. Suchánek, Entrepreneur & Chief Executive Officer
Chris Suchanek, CEO and co-founder of Firm Media, has over 25 years of marketing expertise, launching brands like Omniblend™ and MediLearn360™. He began in the entertainment industry with brands like Warner Bros. and MTV, contributing to a Grammy Award with Brainstorm Artists International. A Forbes™ author and Agency Council Member, Chris is an expert speaker on medical branding. He also co-founded Project Boon, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity, and manages CASKS Restaurant Group in Los Angeles. His leadership focuses on strategic vision and mentorship.
