What if I just quit? Has that thought ever come to mind pertaining to a certain sport or activity? Maybe you feel like you’re behind on your goals or the environment you are in is bringing you down. It can feel so overwhelming to the point where you just want to punch a wall, tear down your posters and smash your trophies. You’re not alone, and here is why I encourage you to quit.  

I feel like anyone who has ever been involved in activities has entertained the thought of quitting or at least what they’d really lose if they did. What if we switched the narrative and examined what we could be gaining?

I’m not telling you to quit on your dreams or give up when something gets hard: I’m hoping that the experience and insight I’ve gained can help you make a decision that could align you better with your goals. 

I’d been dancing at the same studio since I was seven years old, and I adored so much of it. There were, however, many things that would often wear me mentally and leave me feeling worse than when I came in. 

For years, quitting was an ongoing debate I had with myself. It was not until recently-three months into my senior year- that I decided to move on from that studio. At first, I thought I made a terrible decision that I’d regret  for the rest of my life, but after a month, I started to see my life transform. I didn’t quit because I didn’t like dancing anymore. I quit because I loved it so much. 

So how do you know if there needs to be change? For me, the clear sign was that it felt like dance was taking more than it was giving. There are some things in life you have to muscle up and endure even if you don’t feel like it, school for example or getting out of bed. However, your activity of choice should not be one of them. Most nights, I’d get home late from dance feeling crushed. This cycle of defeat began to impact my grades, relationships and sleep schedule. I was letting dance take more from my life than it was adding.

Allow yourself to acknowledge where you might be just enduring through the pain of staying and consider what’s on the other side of that. 

For example, the other side of getting out of bed is starting your day and the other side of doing your school work is graduating. All very important things! But what’s on the other side of enduring struggles in your activity? 

In my case, I realized I was enduring these struggles for short lived moments of glory. Things such as performing as a senior, memories with friends and the occasional affirmation of my peers or teachers.

While none of these are bad I was allowing them to make up for the damage of other things. I placed these moments of glory on high pedestals making quitting feel impossible. 

Maybe there are similar pedestals you have obtained. Look at where you want to go with this activity and look at the long term goals. 

I realized that my long term goals were to be the best I could be and enjoy dancing. I knew that in order to become a better dancer, I needed to go someplace where I could feel comfortable trying, failing and trying again.

What could be changed for you?

I’m currently at a new studio where I’m rediscovering my love for dance. Starting fresh a couple of months into my senior year has been more rewarding than I expected.  

I believe that you can still be great. Quitting doesn’t have to mean giving up, in fact quitting can just be moving on. If you have goals for yourself, be smart about them. 

We get enough stress and obligation from the world, so don’t box yourself into an activity that isn’t giving you life. This is your encouragement to quit, take a new approach to that activity or try a new one. Stop enduring and start loving.