There is a difference between running away and running toward something. Each has pros and cons.

Running away can be a sign of assertiveness or avoidance. Running toward can indicate passion or impulse.

Seeking closure after leaving helps prevent regret.

Our lives can often feel like we’re on a track—always running—through our workday, running kids to football practice or ballet lessons, running just to get things done. But sometimes our running isn’t about the everyday; it's about something bigger, more serious—our job, a relationship—where it’s about major decisions and ultimately whether we are running from something or toward something.

They’re different, and each steers us toward a different path. Here are the pros and cons of each.

Pros: Running from something implies escape, and often that is exactly the purpose: to escape a toxic work environment or an emotionally or physically abusive relationship. Time to get out. Run away, run away. And if this decision and behavior are new to you—you’ve simply tolerated or accommodated in the past—this is also a testament to your growth and assertiveness.

Cons: Running away is not only about escape but, for some, often about avoidance. You quit your job or........

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