Every day, we are continually overwhelmed with success stories from all angles.
Our Facebook timeline and Instagram feed are overflowing with tips from motivational speakers on how to stay happy and be successful.
Deep within us, we know these people are not aware of our struggle or can relate to our pain.
It seems like we are the least successful amongst our peers. Social media platforms make it appear we are living the worst life because;
- Our love life sucks
- We do not have any real friends
- Nobody wants to listen to us
- People say we mean no shit
- Struggling to get a job
- Recently lost a loved one
- Dealing with college application rejection
- Living through a pandemic
- Diagnosed with a chronic disease
- Bullied
- Victim of sexual abuse
Being overly saturated with success stories and Instagram perfect lifestyles can hurt your mental health. Too many breakthrough stories could negatively affect your creativity and productivity.
You may begin to feel insecure about yourself.
Failure to properly manage these narratives would make you feel shitty about yourselves. Instead of being inspired by successful stories, some times you feel like giving up.
Just like the outer layer of onions, we only get to see the perfect lifestyle of successful people. Their struggle his hidden away from the public eye.
Contrary to what you may think, everybody inclusive your favourite celebrities struggle and experience pain. You are not alone.
A common mistake we make all the time is missing the fact that highly successful people work hard for a long time to get to the zenith of their career.
Why then do we surrender after three weeks of trying? Living a fulfilled life requires a whole lot of perseverance.
Table of contents
Signs of Giving Up On Life
At some point in your life, you would probably experience some noticeable hints of giving up on life.
It is necessary to identify some of these signs early so that you know how to press on and survive. Some of these signs include;
1. Sudden Loss of Interest
Recently, have you noticed that you have lost interest in some of your favourite activities?
Usual signal of giving up on life is a sudden loss of aspiration. You begin to get infuriated by trivial things. You no longer want to go to school, visit your parents or hang out with friends.
Starting to give up on life can cause a drastic change in your lifestyle. Have you have been experiencing a low level of enthusiasm for activities that would previously excite you, chances are you may be giving up on life.
2. Depression
Depression is closely associated with signs of giving up on life. By default, depression makes you give up on life and every other thing. It is indeed a terrible experience.
I can remember my experience with full-blown depression a few years ago. Life did not make any sense to me at that time. Though I had not felt suicidal at that time, I must confess that I lost hope. I thought I was alone in this world.
Depression is a mind-boggling feeling of pain and sadness.
A state of conviction of seeing no reason to continue living. It becomes pointless to try your best to take on life challenges.
Living with depression will make you feel it is of no worth living through to the next day.
The feeling of depression is worse when you do not have a supportive family or friends.
Feeling depressed is a pointer that you have begun to give up on life. At this stage, you will need to get professional help for a full recovery.
3. Frequent Anxiety
Anxiety is a little monster in your head that make you agitated for no potent reason. Lately, have you been having a difficult time staying calm and happy?
A sign that you are beginning to stop fighting and yield to your problems is that you become overly anxious for nothing. You are scared that everything you have worked hard for would crash down. The fear of the unknown will prevent you from taking the plunge, let alone persevere.
The best way to beat anxiety is by practising how to stay calm
- Acknowledge your fears.
- Seek profession help by going for counselling.
- Configure your thoughts to think positively.
- Relief yourself of stress.
- Engage yourself in meditation exercise like yoga and aerobic exercises.
- Listen to calm music.
- Stay away from bad energy.
4. Living Without Purpose
Do you wake up in the morning and say to yourself – damn there is nothing for me today. You may even find it extremely difficult to get out of bed every morning.
You would want to spend the rest of the day indoors engaging in no productive activity. A life that is not purpose-driven is a good pointer that you are conceding to defeat.
Usually, you should wake up with a road map in your head with plans for a productive day. If you think your life is not purpose-driven, you would need to travel on the path of self-discovery.
A journey where you get to figure out who you are and what you have got to offer. It will make you understand yourself better. Speaking with experienced people and reading books on self-discovery might be a boost.
5. Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts are caused primarily by depression. You can experience suicidal thoughts when you feel hopeless about life. In as much life challenges can be overwhelming, suicide is never an option.
Are you feeling suicidal? Contact a help centre in your city or country for guidance. You can check out the Suicide Prevention Resource Guide.
Is Giving Up a Sign of Weakness
Sometimes, giving up is better. It is not a sign of weakness but could be the best option. It could be the only way out.
People give up on life, relationship, academics or career for different justifiable reasons. That does not imply whatsoever they are incapable of surviving their life challenges.
You have to evaluate and know the reason why you are discouraged and want out. Walking away from a toxic relationship or work environment is no sign of weakness. It is an act of bravery. Sometimes you have to give up on love.
When giving up is the only option? People stay in an abusive relationship because of fear and inability to figure out how to quit.
They feel that they would not live a happy life without their partner. In unpleasant situations or environment, giving up is the best option. It is a show of strength.
Learn to give up on unhealthy lifestyles like sports betting addiction, excessive smoking and drinking habit, etc.
- Sometimes you have to give up and walk away.
- Occasionally, you have to give up the fight and walk away.
- Sometimes giving up is the only way.
- From time to time, you have to give up something good to get something better.
- Sometimes you have to give up on people. Not because you don’t care, they don’t.
However, giving up effortlessly on the crucial aspect of your life may be a show of weakness in a kind of way. You should not quit anytime you find a task difficult.
Be courageous to face your fears. Your dreams will only come alive when you consistently work hard and stick with that you love to do.
Building a healthy relationship takes a lot of energy and time. Climbing up the ladder in your career is undeniably a daunting task. Never give up on your dreams.
Why Do People Give Up So Easily?
Have you ever asked yourself, why do I give up or quit so easily?
1. Lack of Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is a propelling force inside of you that compels you to thrive. It makes you hold out against adversities even when everything else seems to be working against your favour.
Self-motivation enables you to stay focus in life. It helps you to wake up from your bed every morning with a fresh dose of determination. You remain inspired despite the absence of an external influence commending your efforts.
When your level of self-motivation diminishes, you may end up giving up on things so effortlessly.
Self-motivation can get awakened by discovering your inner strength, reading inspirational books, listening to good music, exercising, etc.
2. Poor Support System
You may feel like giving up on your dreams because of a lack of encouragement from parents and friends. People with a little or nonexistent support system are highly prone to giving up so easily.
The reason why you should make friends is to have people around you during your downtime. Relatives or friends are supposed to be a source of inspiration to keep you away from quitting.
Unavailability of good friends makes you susceptible to giving up so easily.
3. Loss of A Loved One
Coping with the loss of a loved one is a painful experience. Grieving a loved one can break you, life will look unfair. Attempting to survive the loss can eventually throw you into depression.
If you know someone who recently lost a relative or a close friend, you should reach out to them to offer your condolence.
4. You Do Not Have Real Friends
Nothing sucks more than having a bunch of fake friends around you. Being in a relationship with a toxic individual is even worse. A lot of people would not give up if they had real friends to support them.
Real friends encourage and stick with one another during good and bad times. Get friends who would inspire you to do better than give up.
5. Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem is you feeling insecure about yourself. You look at yourself in the mirror and say I cannot possibly become successful. I am not good enough.
In the process, you lose your dignity. Undermining your innate abilities.
Inability to find value in yourself will drive you down the road of defeat. When you have the mindset that you are never going to be great or make it in the real world, you can easily give up on your dreams.
I want to let you know that you are amazing and perfect. Do not allow anybody to tell you otherwise.
6. Ugly Past Experiences
Brutal past experiences is a culprit of why people quit easily. These sad experiences can make some people vulnerable.
Victims of sexual abuse, bullying, etc. without adequate support are likely to give up easily. People with a history of abusive relation need all the love they can get.
Is It Okay to Give Up Sometimes?
Oh, yea! Sometimes giving up is the best option. Once in a while, you have to give up on life, your relationship, career or academics. You just have to give yourself a break and breath in the fresh air.
Now, I am not in any way proposing that you quit your relationship or drop out of college. No, no, that is not what I meant. That would be a terrible thing to say.
Sometimes, the best option is to give up for a brief amount of time. It is okay you let that tears drop down your cheek. You need to experience the pain and then acquire strength.
You must understand that you are no superhuman. Truthfully, nobody is perfect. Life is a journey filled with hurdles every few metres.
From an issue, you jump into another problem. Are you not in many messes already?
The beauty of life is making a comeback from your adversities. Amid tribulation, find your strength. Giving up is not an option meaning that there is always a way. Be proud of yourself for how hard you are working because giving up is never an option.
Why Do People Give Up on Life?
Sadly, people give up on life when they lose all hope.
- People do not have a supportive family or friends.
- Long term unemployment.
- Loss of job.
- Diagnosis with a chronic ailment.
- Death of a family member or loved one.
- Financial crisis
- Depression
- Academic failure
- Victims of molestation
- Chronic addictions like alcohol and drug abuse
- Toxic work environment
Why Do People Give Up on Love?
- Cheating partner in a relationship.
- Toxic relationship (physical and mental abuse)
- Self-centeredness
- Incompatibility (sexual and character)
- Lack of trust
- Insecurity
- Financial difficult
- Unsupportive partner
How Do You Know It’s Time to Leave or When to Give Up?
Most of the time, you would know deep within yourself when it is time to leave an organization or relationship. You no longer feel happy or inspired.
- Sudden lack of passion or affection is an indicator.
- Work becomes more hectic.
- The work environment becomes choking.
- Hostile work environment.
- Persistently burnout.
- Anxiety.
Never make a hasty decision to leave an organization or quit a relationship. Think through your resolution within a logical perspective. Possibly, speak to a friend about your intended plans to withdraw.
How Do I Stop Myself for Giving Up So Easily?
- Always have a positive mindset.
- Set an achievable goal for yourself.
- Appreciate yourself.
- Assure yourself that failing is part of the process.
- Periodically reevaluate your progress.
- Get a mentor for proper guidance.
- Exercise regularly.
- Listen to good music.
Why you shouldn’t give up on your dreams
- Dreams are special. You should not give up on dreams.
- The world needs you.
- You are unique since there is no other version of yourself.
- You never really know until you try.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Give Up
- You are wonderful
- Life is a problem; you can overcome
- Giving up is more difficult
- There is light at the end of the tunnel
- Success comes with hard work
What Can I Do Instead of Giving Up or How Do I Stop Myself from Giving Up So Easily?
- Take a daily dose of self-motivation
- Offer assistance to people
- Reach out to family and friends.
- Join a charitable organization.
- Take a vacation.
- Exercise regularly.
- Listen to good music
- Watch interesting movies
Top Inspirational & Motivational Books to Read
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
- Life, despite Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice by Kristen Jane Anderson
- Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis
- Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
- The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
- You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living by Jen Sincero
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
- The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
- Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
Your turn
I would love to hear from you on the comment session.
- What difficult situation are you going through right now?
- Have you ever felt like giving up on life? How did you recover?
- What advice would you give to someone out there?
I think there’s a difference between giving up
and letting go. To me, giving up stems from
a sense of hopelessness while letting go is
no longer holding on to things that no longer
serves you, am here for it, nothing can ever make me go back.
Hello Smart,
Thank you for your awesome contribution.
I think there’s a difference between giving up and letting go. To me, giving up stems from a sense of hopelessness while letting go is no longer holding on to things that no longer serves you.
I’ve had moments in life where I wanted to give up on life, especially after a life changing illness. But my key to happiness was letting go of the guilt, resentment, anger, and more.
Thank you Thomas for your contribution.
I love how you point out the difference between giving up and letting go.
Great Post. Sometimes you need to say no to things to improve your quality of life x
Yes Jo, I agree with you.
Thank you for your feedback.