There come many moments in life when you feel like giving up on everything.
And you are not alone if you feel this way sometimes. So many of us are in a rush to achieve as much as we can in a short period of time but if you just slow down and figure out the journey instead of only focusing on the destination it is going to be so much more sustainable and a lot quicker in the long run.
You may feel like just giving up on a new habit you’re working on, eating healthier, exercising because you’re not seeing results, a small business, dating because you can’t seem to find the right person, and so on.
But what you do when you feel like giving up will determine a lot about where your life will go.
So, in today’s post, I’m going to share 10 things to remember or do, that hopefully will help you to hold on or to change direction on those difficult days.
1- You have the power to control the way you respond
Understand that the only thing you can always control is you. How you react.
The reality is that bad stuff is going to happen to everyone at some point. There will be lots of things in life that you can’t do anything about. And at the end of the day, the only thing you can control is the way that you respond. Even in the worst of circumstances, you still have a choice. You can still choose happiness and forgiveness and move on.
2- It’s okay to struggle
I know that struggling and pain are never fun. But it’s how we can start appreciating the happiest moments. It’s how we learn and grow and become better people. It’s where we learn how to be stronger, wiser, patient, and humble.
3- Take one step at a time
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and tired when you think about the mountain of tasks that you have to do. Break the whole process into simple steps and focus only on one day at a time. Focus on the next step, not on the whole staircase. Just keep going. Never, ever quit.
4- Find inspiration
Create vision boards, scroll through Pinterest, follow Instagram pages, listen to podcasts, read blogs, and talk to a friend or someone in the same field that will understand your perspective. This will replenish your energy and motivation to keep going.
5- Remember your why
Ask yourself: “What would happen if I kept going?“.
When you lose hope, go back to your reasons for starting what you want to give up. When you clearly know your why, and if you are still passionate about it, you regain the strength to continue, to keep going, and to fight for it.
Think about how your life would be if you don’t achieve your why. If you feel like giving up then try reconnecting with why you are doing what you are doing. Maybe it is to live a healthier lifestyle, to support your family, to become happier, to live the life of your dreams…the reasons are infinite.
6- Be grateful for your own achievements
Sometimes looking back at your journey is enough to stop yourself from giving up. Never forget about the journey you took. And never compare yourself with others because everyone has their own journey. You should only compare yourself with what you were yesterday.
When you feel like giving up and you’re overwhelmed and tired then it’s easy to lose perspective on what you’ve actually accomplished so far. The things you’ve learned, the steps you’ve gotten done, and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Reflect on those things when you feel like giving up. Appreciate and celebrate what you’ve done so far to move towards your goal. This will help you to change your perspective to a more optimistic one once again and to find a new step you can take to keep moving forward.
7- Take breaks here and there
Work hard towards your dreams but never ever forget to take breaks, to give your body permission to rest. Burnout is real, so never neglect some self-care.
When you take a break, you are able to appreciate what it means to you and come back with a new perspective and plans. Starting fresh will give you the new energy you needed.
8- Be patient with the process
You have to be patient to achieve what you want. The challenges you face along the journey make you who you are. Things take time. For example, if you want to become healthier, it doesn’t happen overnight, it requires time, consistency, and a lot of work on yourself every single day.
9- Talk about it
Instead of carrying the burden all alone, talk to people about how you feel. Talk to someone who will not blame you but motivate you and lift you up. Talk to a therapist. No matter what you are going through, there are tons of people who go through the same all over the world and didn’t give up on life.
10- See if it’s time to quit and try something else
Sometimes it’s not time to give up. But it may be time to quit what you are doing and try something else.
If you feel no real passion, excitement, or curiosity about your current path, then it’s time to move on. You may need to try different paths before you find one that fits you. Imagine that you’re trying to run every day. Just because your friend love running doesn’t mean that you have to love it too. Try another type of exercise that excites you more. Try a new way of doing what you want and see if it’s a better fit and more enjoyable for you.
No matter what you do, how many times you screw up, how many people tell you that you can’t – keep going. Don’t quit. A month from now you’ll be that much closer to your goal than you are now. Make every day count.
Have you had experiences where you felt that not giving up was the best decision ever? Let me know in the comments below ❤️
So about 4 years ago I had just gotten married to my abusive, alcoholic husband. My twin sister died by suicide and I was in a death spiral full of alcohol and drugs. I was actively trying to commit suicide. I had no life and everything I had known was gone. My mother had gotten into a fist fight with me that resulted in a broken nose and neck for myself, as well as a domestic violence charge.
One day after my husband tried to strangle me to death, I woke up determined to leave him. I had to, or else I’d be dead.
So I left him, got pregnant with my current SO and had a baby. Then I cut my mother off, no contact. I had a spinal fusion and hernia surgery to fix my body properly. And finally, got sober.
Today I have a stable job (Unheard of for me), I go to therapy and take my psych. Meds. My daughter is 3, I’ve kept my sobriety and my head held high.
That day, 4 years ago, changed my life forever. I would have been dead if I had given up like I wanted to. Instead, I took my darkest hour and turned it into the life I always wanted
Wow! What an inspiration! Thank you for sharing. Keep holding your head high, you deserve it!
I’m so sorry Stacy you went through so many deeply painful experiences, and for your loss. It’s just incredible how you fought your way through all that and managed to not just survive it, but come out healthy & thriving on the other side. Thank you for sharing your story… you should keep doing it to encourage others nothing is impossible to get through if you just keep going one step at at a time, and show up for yourself no matter how hard it is. All the best to you
I know that we do not know each other but I felt compelled to tell you that I am so happy and so PROUD of you for the accomplishments you have made. Both the ones you have listed in your comment and the tiny little ones that only you know about. Only we truly know ourselves…our deepest fears, thoughts, hardships, and so only we know what it TRULY has taken to move into the sunshine that we deserve. The physical, mental, and emotional battles that are fought on a daily basis.
You are worthy of every joy, every smile, every happy tear, every apology, every thank you, every praise. You are worthy of everything, everything. How amazing is it for your daughter to have such a strong, determined, and courageous mom to look up to…that will help her through life. You are magic and I hope you remember that, even in your weak moments.
Xx
Keep going mam❤️you are so strong😊
You are so so strong! Thank you so much for sharing your story, I literally got goosebumps and watery eyes after reading this.
You are such an inspiration, such a force of nature!
And I’m so happy for you that after all the painful experiences you managed to come out healthy. It’s a powerful reminder that there is always a way out, even if it seems that’s impossible.
I am so proud of you. And your daughter is so lucky to have such a strong mother like you.
You are so worthy, loved, and brilliant. And you always be.
Take care of yourself ❤️
I quit my job a month ago after ten years of work and I did it because I believe that I’d the time to change my stressful and unbalanced life and try something else so I decided to get some rest and take care of me and my kids.
Wow, you are powerfully really,
I hope to you the happiness ♥️
Stacy you are a true winner at life and you are really strong💪💪💪
I am not giving up on life
Thanks for writing
Hace minutos… Estoy pasando por esto, no sabes cuánto agradezco estar leyendo esto en este momento, muchas gracias, realmente necesitaba leer todo esto💖🪐
Awesome!! Good for YOU!!
Wow I hope to you live wonderful life
Even in the face of difficulty, it is important to remember that there is always a way out. No matter how discouraging the situation may seem, always remember that you are capable of overcoming it. Never give up on your dreams and never allow yourself to be defeated.
Once I wake up at 6.00 clock today, I tended to read this. What an inspiration! I will not give up in handling my sensitive emotions
Your story inspired me because I myself am an addict struggling trying to get clean because my mother is dying of cancer and she wants to see me happy and free of drugs before she goes. It’s so hard to get clean right now so I’m trying to find a way to use it as an inspiration to get clean and not an excuse to still use. I know if you can go thru all the trialsand tribulations you did, then I could do the same! Thanks for sharing, it gives me hope!
I am in a very difficult moment in life right now. All my fears have reapered and I am struggling a lot with an health issue (I’m loosing my smell, and that is freeking me out!). I feel my life is being ruined, myself, my family, my job… Now I am trying to find the streght needed to start all over again. So you’re post came in the right time, I hope to follow your tips and that, maybe some months from now, I can be here telling that I could overcome this difficult moment. Thank you
I know that it’s easier said than done but these painful moments in your life will change you. Let them make you stronger, smarter, and kinder. Cry. Scream if you have to. Feel your emotions. Then you straighten out that crown and keep it moving.
Remind yourself of what you’ve been able to overcome. All the times you felt like you weren’t going to make it through, you proved yourself wrong. You’re more powerful than you think.
Sending you so much strength and love. I really hope your health issue gets better.
And I will always be here waiting for your comment that you managed to overcome this difficult moment. I truly believe that you will ❤️
Thanks so much for this, it’s really inspiring.
I seriously thought of giving up today after so many years of many struggles through different problems but I want to start again and WON’T GIVE UP. THANK YOU.
Its a pretty amazing morning….I was just thinking of reading something which satisfies my soul n mind….nd here what I came across. Thanks to the writer for such an amazing blog post….May you have an amazing day.
Hello….. I’m at a critical point in my life and I don’t have any income at the moment, but I’m starting a business that I’ve worked hard for, but I’m still making money, and my savings have run out, but I’m still waiting for my business to be profitable because I know it will be profitable someday. Yes… but I will reach the top by the middle of this month….
Thank you for sharing your story. I admire the choices you’ve made and you inspire me. My husband is currently at a similar state of mind, and I become emotional and try to encourage him to not give up. I prayed this morning, asking God to help him through our challenges because I’m unable to. If I can get him to read your post and the comments, this may be the light he do needs and desires. Thanks again. Love you….Sherry