7 Things to Remember When You Want to Quit

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I like to think of myself as a fighter, someone who never quits. A she-warrior who can spit in the face of any negative situation. This week, though, I found myself wanting to quit. Instead of pushing through the difficulties, I wanted to lie down and sleep with a huge box of chocolates and sad music. I let negative thoughts overcome any sanity and I fell into a pit. It’s easy to lose your head and in the process, lose your heart. This past week, I found myself searching for joy. I needed simple truths to get myself out of my slump and back on track.

Maybe you are struggling to continue. Whether we long to give up on our health and fitness, our journey to find emotional wholeness or even a relationship, we need encouragement. Let me come alongside you, friend, and give you a few pieces of truth that will help you keep going.

We’re in this together.

 

Remember Why You Started

When you feel like giving up, remember your reason for beginning in the first place. Maybe you chose to stay home with your children to homeschool, or you started making healthy choices to fit into that dream dress. No matter what the reason was, it was enough to motivate you to make a change. This means that it matters, no matter how silly it might seem.

Find New Motivation

If your old reason why isn’t enough to motivate you, find something that does. When I first started Trim Healthy Mama, I wanted to have a healthy pregnancy. Obviously, this reason isn’t going to motivate me anymore since I’m not still pregnant! I can’t work towards a healthier pregnancy, but I can work towards healing my adrenals and losing the baby weight.

Talk Back

When you hear that little voice telling you to give up, don’t just let it take over. Fight back. What better weapon is there against negative thoughts than the word of God? Here are a few of my favorite verses that help me keep going:

• 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
• Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
• Psalms 37:4-5 “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.”
• Proverbs 21:5 “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Begin Again Tomorrow

I’m one of those people who does best if they can re-start their goals. Like, fresh slate, white as snow, restart. Most of the time, my re-starts begin in the morning! If you completely blew it, don’t sweat. Don’t say you’re done for good. Wake up the next morning with a positive attitude and give yourself some grace. Things always look better in the morning anyways. 🙂

Make Changes

If you’re constantly finding that your energy is gone, your joy is depleted and you just don’t have that zest for life anymore, it might be time to make some changes. I’m learning to step back from my perfectionist ways and let myself have some breathing space. I’m realizing that I need to get back to my basic priorities (more on that later!) and not focus so much on the things that don’t really matter. I’m learning to nap more, to cut down my work duties and to just focus on having fun with my little guys.

 

Do Something that Makes You Happy

The things that you’re passionate about matter. Whether you love cooking a gourmet meal, savoring a cup of tea, collecting rare books or shooting guns, those God-given loves are the things that are going to renew your soul. In the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey talks about sharpening your saw. The idea behind that little metaphor is that when we constantly give of ourselves, like any tool, we’re going to get a little burnt out and dull. What happens when you don’t take proper care of a tool? It gives out. Sharpening that tool, however, will make the tool last a long time. It also helps it to be the best it can possibly be. When you do something that inspires you, your motivation will increase!

 

Create a Life You Love

So many times, I’ll look to others for the definition of a perfect life. But the truth is, what makes someone else’s life perfect to them isn’t going to be what feeds my soul. I’m learning to embrace my quirks and to surround myself with the things that I love. I’m creating the best days possible for my family based on what we love, not what is popular or what’s trending on Pinterest.

Think about the things that you love and fill your life with them. Think about your perfect day and try to make the realistic aspects happen. You might not be able to spend every morning out by the lake, but you definitely can savor a cup of coffee!

 

What things to you do to renew your motivation?