There is this idea, especially in popular culture, which says one must never quit anything, ever. You may start something, and although it gets difficult to continue doing so, one is encouraged to carry on striving for that something no matter what. It’s a wonderful concept to hold on to when the going gets tough, but when that something no longer falls into line with what we believe in, or with what we are ultimately trying to achieve in life, then it’s okay to step back from the quote that has been driven into our heads, “winners never quit and quitters never win,” and follow whatever is best for you.
Recently I’ve had a lot of friends change jobs, living arrangements, end relationships and leave significant others. For them, times and situations have changed and so have they. These friends have carried themselves forward in the gently stream of a certain life path for so long before the current changed and life took a different direction. They have “quit,” but they have had reason to do so.
I guess “quitting” isn’t the right word when you decided to part ways from a job or from certain people due to changes in your life, your situation or the lives and situations of others. Instead of quitting something, that person is actually taking a different path to get to their final destination. It doesn’t change who you are, or what you have done, but it allows you to grow and move on with your life in a way you weren’t able to before.
Knowing when to “quit” often times can be difficult to do, as it takes a lot of self-reflection and understanding of one’s self. But as long as you keep in mind that your decision to move in a slightly different direction doesn’t mean that you are giving up on anything, and that you aren’t losing the essence of yourself, then you will be just fine. It is okay to change your mind as long as it is something that you have thought about, and it is something that you really want to do. And you should live life the way you want to live it, as long as no one (including yourself) is getting hurt, and you are truly happy.
Jazzed About Stuff 