letting go, letting the leaves fall

So just as season change and the trees let go of their leaves, we our selfs must let go. In a since we have to let our "leaves" fall, could be that our "leaves" are old relationships, old habits, or they could all very well be new ones. Liker the old saying "there is a time an place for everything." So is there ever a time when our "leaves" won't fall when they are suppose to an we have to do it our selfs an rip the leaves from us?

I have gotten to that point when my leaves started to fall (meaning it was time for me to let go) an here I am with only a few leaves left an I am holding on to them with hopes that if I do so, then the old ones will grow back, an it will all be the way it once was. And in a truth part of me wants to rip those leaves an walk away from the pile in which has fallen. But I can't, something that once even hurt me, I look for hope in,knowing that the season has passed an I should just except what is before me now. An what that is.... Winter.. A moment where everything shuts down and becomes closed in among its self.

So how do we know when to let our "leaves" fall? And to embrace the winter before us?
I guess for now I choose neither, lol, I am keeping my "leaves" even painting some to stay in place, an perparing for my cold an lonely winter that faces me.