Wikipedia:Let it go

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Shortcuts

Take a break if you need to. Don't stress yourself out arguing it out.

Sometimes everyone needs to just relax a little and let it go. Sure, we're creating an encyclopedia here, and that is, indeed, serious business, but it's not life or death. Sometimes we see some heated arguments and with some editors even making ad hominem attacks. This can happen anywhere: RFAs, article talk pages, XFDs, even user talk pages.

Think of it as applying No Big Deal to other areas of Wikipedia. Things like the exact wording of a video game character's inclusion in a game or whether a person with a pet cat is the "owner" of said cat. These are great examples of people allowing their passions to rule them. Head over heart, as the saying goes.

Of course, discussion and consensus is a vital part of Wikipedia, but sometimes it can be taken too far. A good advice to those people is to just let it go. If the argument isn't really all that important (really, sometimes it's not), don't try so desperately to "win". Sure, you might get something to go your way, but all it really does is make other Wikipedians mad and maybe even leave Wikipedia altogether.

Discuss things to find consensus, but don't argue just for the sake of making a point. Just let it go.

See also