you can't let go of that piece of flotsam you're clinging to

way out in the middle of the ocean of human dysfunction,

until you can actually SEE dry land

AND

are *confident* in your ability to actually *reach* said land. If you're a crummy swimmer? or can't swim *at all*? You may never get there. In which case, clinging to that bit of driftwood may seem the more sensible option, under the circumstances.

Besides, someone may yet come and rescue you. You never know.