The Psychology of Love and Letting Go
A lesson in love and priorities
There were classes in the psychology department of the university. The teacher told the students, I am not teaching today, I am going to do an experiment. Everyone was watching.
The teacher asked a girl sitting in the middle of the class if she was married. The girl was a little shy. She shook her head and said, Sir, I also have a two-year-old son.
The teacher smiled and told the girl, you are the teacher for today. Here, take this marker and write the names of your ten favorite people on the whiteboard.
The girl wrote the names of her ten favorite people on the board. The teacher told her to write who they were on the right side. The girl did so.
Father
Mom
Husband
Son
Older sister
Younger brother
Best friend
3 friends from class
Now the teacher told her to remove three people from this list. She crossed out the names of her classmates.
The teacher smiled and said, "Delete the names of three more people." The girl was a little worried.
The other students in the class were now taking the matter seriously. The girl slowly crossed out the names of her best friend, her sister, and her brother.
The teacher said, "Now delete the names of two more people." The girl's hands were shaking. She hesitantly crossed out the names of her father and mother.
Now the girl was crying. There were only two more people left on the list. They were her husband and her son. The teacher said, "Delete one more person." But the girl was speechless. She said she couldn't delete anyone's name.
The teacher said, "Come on, this is a psychological game. I told you to delete the names of the people I love, I didn't tell you to kill them."
The girl crossed out her child's name with shaking hands.
The teacher went to the girl. He took a gift box from his pocket and said, "I'm sorry for the storm that went through your mind. There are ten gifts for all your loved ones in this gift box. Now tell me, how did you erase these names?" The girl said, "First. I erased the names of my friends, because I still have my family and my best friend. Then, when I was asked to erase more names, I erased the names of my best friend, sister, brother, mother and father. I thought that parents are not forever. An older brother and a younger sister can be separated at any time due to their desires. What should I do if I don't have a best friend....?
My son and my husband are my best friends. But when I was finally asked to remove one of these two, I couldn't decide anymore. Then I thought that my son will grow up and leave me one day, but his father will not leave me.
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Comments (24)
"Great read!"
This is such a powerful and emotional story! The psychological game the teacher played was both thought-provoking and heartbreaking. It really makes you think about the people we prioritize in our lives and how we perceive relationships. The girl's final decision, choosing her son over her husband, adds such depth to the narrative. It's beautifully written and really tugs at the heartstrings.
Wow, this is an evocative thought provoker. Well done!
Nice, the story has been woven beautifully and carefully attracting and increasing the readers interest
Very well written, congrats 👏
Congratulations on Top Story 👏🏾❤️
Now imagine a situation—life becomes difficult, and you're forced to let go of one person. Erase one name from the board.”
Rohitha, this was absolutely stunning—simple in structure, but emotionally profound. What struck me most was how the exercise subtly peeled back the layers of love, loyalty, and the inevitability of change in our closest relationships. The progression—from acquaintances to blood ties, and finally to the most intimate bonds—beautifully mirrored the journey many of us unconsciously go through in life. The line about the son growing up and leaving, while the husband stays, hit especially hard. It challenges common assumptions and invites the reader to think deeply about permanence, roles, and the emotional weights we assign to different relationships. This wasn’t just a lesson in priorities—it was a mirror to the soul. Thank you for sharing this story. It’s the kind of piece that lingers in the mind long after reading.
nice work
Sorrowful story but very cognitive
Wow Rohitha. Congratulations on your TS.
Wow
Good thinking.
woow
🎉 Congrats on getting Top Story! 🌟 So well deserved — I’m super proud of you! 🙌💖 I seriously can’t wait to read the next one… I know it’s gonna be just as amazing! ✍️🔥 Keep shining! 💫
Thought provoking.
Veery Nice
Lovely
nice
congratulations dear nice written
This was such an inspiring read. It reminded me of something I once heard: love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice. We don’t just fall in love; we choose to stay in love. The moment where she had to choose between her son and her husband hit hard. It’s beautiful and powerful to realize that when you marry someone who is also your best friend, you're choosing someone who will choose you back—every single day. Not out of obligation, but out of love and intention. Top story was very well deserved for this piece! Congrats!
Nice one dear, congratulations 👏🏼
Again nice written
Very sad story but very cognitive