Many people have heard the saying “quitting is for losers.” This could not be farther from the truth. Sometimes, quitting is the best option. Society expects us to fight back even when things get complicated. No hero in any action movie just gives up or accepts defeat. Even the word “quitter” is an insult. The truth is that we as human beings are far too stubborn to accept defeat even when it’s clear that we have made a mistake about an idea, a job, or a romantic partner. While perseverance, determination, and hard work are key to achieving goals, knowing when to stop can be just as valuable. 

Recent statistics by the JOLTS U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show a new trend that has emerged in the US labor market as of 2021, known as the “Great Resignation.” Simply put, tens of millions of Americans are volunteering to leave their jobs. The total number of Americans who reportedly left their jobs for better ones reached a staggering 46.6 million during the year 2022. 

There is also a new book out written by professional poker player and decision scientist, Annie Duke, which touches on the benefits of quitting. Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away argues that in many cases, contrary to popular belief, sticking to our goals (career objectives, personal aspirations, projects) actually holds us back. 

Quitting is not a sign of weakness, in fact, it shows courage and bravery. It proves that you know what’s right for you and you are willing to take the steps necessary to get there. Instead of being viewed as a negative thing, quitting should be thought of as simply letting go and moving on to something more suiting. Quitting is healthy because it opens the door to more opportunities and allows room for growth. There are certain instances where you need to be selfish and choose yourself instead of seeking validation from others. 

Say you are at your favorite clothing store but can’t find anything you want. Instead of cutting our losses and going elsewhere, we put ourselves under pressure to justify the trouble we have already gone through such as the time and money it took to get there, even if that means purchasing something we don’t really like. 

Horror movies are a prime example of when quitting is the best thing to do. Many horror movies follow a certain plot in which the main character will hear an unexpected noise, and instead of following their gut, they go to investigate. They creep down creaking stairs into the basement and say something like “Mark, is that you?” The music gradually gets louder, indicating a feeling of doom. Then-

Bam. Jump scare. 

Meanwhile, we as the audience ask ourselves why the character couldn’t have turned the lights on, called someone, or left the house entirely. Besides the simple answer that there would be no movie if the character acted in any of these ways, taking a step back and turning around can be difficult. As it turns out, those characters who walk into the dark basement despite all the red flags are more realistic than we would like them to be. From a viewer’s perspective, it’s hard to watch a character live in a house that is very clearly haunted and discount every red flag. However, even in real life, humans have a remarkable ability to put up with discomfort. Even though we might notice something is wrong or making us unhappy, we decide to just live with it. 

The important thing to remember is that this is your life and you are allowed to say “no.” Quitting is not a negative thing, it brings you to the place you are meant to be. Life is only so short and there is so much out there. Why waste time going down a path that feels wrong or compromises your happiness? There is no shame in finding something new.