Shit I’ve Quit (and maybe you should, too)

This year has been all about growth for me. A lot has happened in the last twelve months that’s required me to grow up seemingly all at once. I never understood when adults would tell me as a child that you don’t ever really feel like a grown up. I get it now. But they must not have lost a parent yet. Because that shit will make you feel like a grown up pretty dang fast.

In the last year I lost my dad, quit my job, launched a company, and turned 30. I can’t deny my adulthood anymore. And while many of you might still be resisting the urge to accept it in its full glory (I mean, I get it, once you get past the drinking and no one telling you what to do thing, it seems like a real drag), it does have some real perks. Like giving yourself permission to quit.

This last year has taught me to quit. That’s right, I said it. It’s time for you to quit shit.

I quit doubting myself. People will do that for me. And honestly, it’s one giant waste of time. Tell me, if you can’t believe in yourself, who will?

I quit following someone else’s rules & guidelines for my life. People are full of opinions. Everyone loves telling you what to do. Stop listening to that shit. You’re the only person who knows what’s right for you and your life.

I quit caring what other people think. My tribe became damn evident over the course of events the last year. I care about those people and what they think of me and my decisions. And the list stops there.

I quit censoring myself. This might be a side effect of leaving my job where I worked with children, but either way, I’ve let my authentic self hang all out. And I’m totally okay with it.

I quit setting myself up for disappointment. I started believing people when they would show me who they really were: for good or for bad. I stopped expecting anything from people who have disappointed me in the past.

I quit surrounding myself with negativity. I’m a firm believer that negativity breeds negativity. You don’t need that shit. Find yourself some people who support you and hang on to them for dear life.

Quitting has never felt better.

There’s some kind of magical juice in the adult world where you suddenly just stop caring about things like you used to. A year ago, two years ago, it would have felt near impossible to let go of any of these things. But when your reality gets rocked to its core and your life comes screaming into view, you’ll be shocked at how quickly your priorities realign.

I spent a lot of time obsessing over things that ultimately did. not. matter. at. all. And I’m willing to bet that there’s one thing or another you could afford to quit at this very moment that will free up your head and your heart to make room for something better.

What is it?