When it is Time to Quit
“You should never run a marathon again!” the doctor asserted over me as I lay limp in the medical tent at the Chicago Marathon. Just barely finishing the race, I wandered inside, half-conscious and chewing on a bagel I had wrangled from a stranger as I was about to pass out. Turns out that a disease in my body had thrown my electrolytes so out of balance that I was dangerously dehydrated and had pushed my heart to its limit. During that race, I felt so much pressure to finish after all the training that I had done and all the people who were there to support me that I ignored the signals I was getting from my mind and body to stop running! After the doctor treated my symptoms, their words echoed in my ears and followed me out of the tent, “Find something else to do.” I focused on getting well and didn’t run again for over 10 years.
This year, I’ve been writing posts about doing what it takes, building hope, and checking in on goals. But what about the projects, dreams, or relationships that aren’t really working out as you planned? When the joy and excitement of a newborn dream has grown into persistent dread and unrewarding outcomes, how do we determine if it is time to do keep doing hard things or if it’s time to quit? When it is okay to say we gave it our all and it is now time to stop trying?
Discerning Your Quit Point
Ask yourself some of these questions to gain clarity about when it is time to persevere and when it is time to release what isn’t working.
Do I lack passion or interest in what I’m doing?
Am I consistently unhappy or stressed in my current endeavor or relationship?
Do persistent roadblocks appear that don’t lead to growth or progress?
Is what I’m doing in line with the values I want to live by?
Is this pursuit/relationship helping me grow or is it stagnant?
Is this having a negative impact on my physical or mental health?
Is what I am engaged in going against my gut feeling or intuition?
If you answered yes to three or more questions, it might be time to consider quitting or leaving behind what may be causing harm. Remember, quitting doesn’t always mean failure. It can be a brave and sometimes necessary decision to create room for new opportunities and growth. I always recommend talking through these questions and your related feelings with trusted others, a mentor, or psychotherapist to offer more guidance and support.
After that marathon, I was sad to hang up my running shoes, but that decision helped me focus on my health and nurture other essential skills to support me and my longevity. While I was able to return to running about five years ago, I have learned to listen to my intuition and my body’s signals, so I know when to push and when it is a sign for me to change direction in my training. I run shorter distances now and I volunteer to support the physical and mental health of runners at longer races such as the Chicago Marathon!
Along your journey of life, may you find courage to release the activities, relationships, and roles in your life that are not bringing joy. May you have fun finding your resounding YES!
If you need help discerning what is working in your life, we can help. Please call today and start the journey towards your best self, living in vitality and balance.
Peace
Sandra