Now I’m not usually a quitter, or one to advocate for it, but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s okay. For so long it was so hard for me to say no, I didn’t want to let anyone down or miss out on things. Quitting things is something my dad never let me do, if I started a sport or a project or really anything, he made me see it through to the end. I learned a lot about hard work and perseverance through all that, but I think I missed the lesson about when its actually okay to quit stuff. And quit always has this bad connotation which is so stupid so we’re gonna just rid that word of all the bad vibes because quitting is okay sometimes!
Freshman year I got into an organization that I loved dearly, I found my first college friends and a real home away from home. I was working on traditions on campus, my most favorite thing ever and for a while there I was truly inspired and motivated by the people around me. I changed a lot freshman year and I don’t regret it one bit. But coming back sophomore year, the organization lost its sparkle for me – the honeymoon phase was officially over. A lot of my friends dropped and I saw them out on campus doing things and making an impact, things I wanted to do. I knew there was more for me than this organization had to offer but I made a commitment to a group of freshmen, a commitment to stay. This I would say is a time when you don’t quit, if you knew what you were getting yourself into and are accountable to not only yourself but others, stick it out. Those kids inspired me a lot, they brought a little sparkle back to the organization and made me staying worthwhile, I even thought for a bit that I would stay for the long haul. But recently I had the opportunity to take a step back an reevaluate what I wanted to do with the two years I have left in college. This organization was no longer a place where I felt inspired, no longer a place where I felt respected, and no longer a place that deserved the energy I gave to it. This is when I decided enough was enough, so I dropped and I don’t regret it one bit. The cool thing about A&M is there are so many spaces for you to grow and do what you love. I’m excited for the next two years because I know that the organizations and people I am constantly choosing to put my time into are worth it, these people respect, love, and support me like no other and I absolutely cannot wait to give everyone the most gigantic hug ever once this is all over (hi magz & fc & my maroon out peeps this is for y’all hehe)!!!
Now its your turn to take a step back an reevaluate where your energy is going, are you getting as much as you’re giving? This can mean relationships, friendships, organizations, school, heck just plain life. Do not waste your efforts on people who don’t love you as much as you love them. Do not waste your resources on organizations if you don’t feel yourself being supported and inspired. And don’t do things because you feel obligated to, YOU DO YOU! Don’t keep limiting yourself to the places and people and things that you have tied yourself down to, comfortable isn’t always what’s best for you. Be the person you were always meant to be and do the things you were always meant to do!!!!!
And finally of course I want to bring this back to your mental health, when is enough, enough? You have to decide when the last cut is the last cut, you have to decide when your last planned attempt is going to be your last, YOU have to decide when this life is going to be worth it for you. It took me 3 years to say enough is enough. It took me 3 years to realize that I couldn’t get better on my own, 3 years of hurt and sadness that I can’t get back. Start today, I promise you’ve endured enough hurt and pain and sorrow for a lifetime, now its your time to get back to the good stuff. Back to a place where you feel the love and happiness that you deserved all along.
You are LOVED. You are NEEDED. You are ENOUGH.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1 (800) 273-8255
Self Care with Claire 