Does Quitting Mean You’re Weak?

Does quitting mean you're weak

Verywell / Julie Bang

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Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

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Friday Fix: Episode 95

When Simone Biles opted out of several Olympic events, my inbox was flooded with messages from readers and listeners who wanted to know whether quitting for mental health reasons was a good idea. 

After all, most of us feel pressure to keep going when things feel hard. In fact, we sometimes think that the harder something is to do, the longer we should stick with it. 

We’ve been told things like, “Quitters never win,” and “Never ever give up!”

Certainly pushing yourself even when things get hard can build character. Grit, perseverance, and hardiness are all key components of mental strength.

But does quitting a job you hate mean you weren’t strong enough to hack it? Does walking away from an activity you find frustrating mean you’re weak?

On today’s Friday Fix, I share how to know when you should quit and when you should keep going.

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By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.