From Decay to Renewal

"It always surprises me where mushrooms appear. Out of the side of a decaying log. From the dark soil where last season's leaves have been left to rot. Sometimes, even bursting through dung left behind on a forest path. Something once considered waste - lifeless, discarded, and forgotten - suddenly becomes an opportunity for new growth. In this way, mushrooms make me think about what happens when relationships fail."

"It's the signature of being a social species. Think about it: When the relationship first started, it wasn't grand gestures that solidified your commitment. Rather, it was through small, reciprocal investments that grew as trust developed. Each act of giving creates a neural pathway that defines your expectations from that person and is closely linked to your sense of physiological safety. And, over time, this reciprocity hardens into attachment."

Mushrooms frequently emerge from decaying matter, converting discarded organic material into new life. Ending relationships can feel like grieving a significant loss because prior reciprocal investments create neural pathways that anchor expectations and physiological safety. Attachment arises from repeated small acts of giving and reciprocity rather than grand gestures. Continued investment in failing relationships reflects the social nature of many species, not merely human error. Letting go represents adaptation, acknowledging that further effort will not yield change while opening space for new growth. Nature's processes, such as fungal decomposition, provide a model for transforming pain into purpose and resilience.

Read at Psychology Today