Chapter 1: The Art of Letting Go

Sometimes, stepping back is the most beneficial choice you can make.

While countless motivational quotes caution against giving up, it's crucial to recognize that knowing when to let go is a vital skill. For me, the act of quitting has been transformative, especially since I gave up alcohol in 2016 after struggling with substance misuse. Reaching a personal low made it clear that quitting was my only viable option. Initially, I didn’t fully appreciate the significance of giving up, but my journey to sobriety opened my eyes to its value. This pivotal decision was the first of many that made me comfortable with the idea of quitting, paving the way for other significant changes in my life.

Following my decision to stop drinking, I also let go of wearing makeup, as I found it uncomfortable, and I stopped dressing up for the sake of comfort. I even quit eating oysters and lobsters because I recognized I didn't enjoy their textures, despite others raving about them. I distanced myself from smoking weed, realizing it affected my judgment, and I quit cigarettes for the sake of my health. I also reevaluated my psychiatric medications, finding a new psychiatrist I could trust after initially losing faith in my previous one. Moreover, I decided to stop obsessively consuming political news that left me feeling hopeless, and I minimized my social media activity, recognizing that the fleeting satisfaction of likes and retweets wasn’t worth the negativity.

Despite my commitment to quitting, I occasionally regress. A recent reminder of this came after a holiday road trip when I tried to reinstate my nightly reading routine. I struggled through The Savage Detectives, hoping to enjoy it since it was well-reviewed, but I found myself losing interest in the protagonist's journey. I kept convincing myself to persevere because others liked it and I had enjoyed the author’s previous works. However, prioritizing this book meant sacrificing my routine of engaging with literature before bedtime.

After several evenings of futile attempts to read while being distracted by my phone, I finally admitted to my boyfriend that I wasn't enjoying The Savage Detectives. Voicing this realization allowed me to put it aside and seek out something more enjoyable, like Friday Night Lights, which reignited my passion for reading and restored my healthy nighttime routine.

In March 2019, about three and a half years after quitting alcohol, I made the decision to leave my job, which turned out to be another pivotal moment in my life. Although it wasn’t the easiest choice to make, it became evident that quitting was a reasonable option. I found myself working as a writer for a new cable talk show, a position that seemed prestigious on paper, yet the reality was far from ideal.

The work environment was toxic, requiring me to spend long hours in the office and endure endless meetings with challenging and insecure hosts who often belittled my colleagues and the work we were trying to accomplish. The pressure escalated with upper management bringing in new consultants each week in a futile attempt to salvage a failing show.

Despite being hired to write scripts, I faced bizarre restrictions like avoiding adjectives, and the negativity in the air was suffocating. Although I had always dreamt of writing for television, I struggled to reconcile the job's demands with my well-being.

One day, while seated at my desk, I experienced severe back pain that no amount of stretching could alleviate. My body was clearly sending me signals that I needed to leave, even if my mind hesitated. It wasn't until a few days post-resignation that the tension in my back finally eased.

Reflecting on that experience, I feel a mix of bitterness and relief; the show was canceled shortly after I left, but I am grateful for the strength it took to prioritize my health over a misguided sense of loyalty. The journey of quitting, whether it’s leaving a toxic job, giving up alcohol, or even setting aside an uninteresting book, has significantly boosted my self-confidence.

One motivational saying I encountered suggests that the moment you're ready to quit often precedes a breakthrough. This breakthrough can be recognizing that a situation is no longer serving you, and having the courage to seek a new path.

Chapter 2: Lessons Learned from Quitting

In the video "How I Learned To Love Sundays By Quitting Alcohol," Ben shares his personal journey of embracing life after leaving alcohol behind. His insights highlight the profound impact that quitting can have on one's perspective and quality of life.

Another valuable resource is "What I Learned After Quitting My Job (Intentional Living)," which explores the lessons learned from stepping away from a career that no longer aligned with personal values. This video provides further encouragement for those contemplating significant changes in their lives.