microsoft excel - Issues unlocking sheets in workbook

I have protected worksheets in a workbook and when I right-click on the sheet name and unprotect the sheet, columns I have specifically protected in that sheet, go back to being protected after I do one action on the sheet. That one "thing" could be, clicking into a cell that has a formula, which was previously protected, making a slight adjustment to the formula, clicking enter, then the sheet will go back to being protected and I have unprotect it again. It can even be, after unprotecting the sheet, I move from cell C4 and click on cell F8, the sheet will go back to being protected. I know the password, I enter it successfully every time and I've locked other columns in specific worksheets with the same password.

Is there a way to permanently unprotect these sheets? Or am I doing something wrong when I try to unprotect them?

Thanks in advance!