Give Up Giving Up
“Give up giving up.”
I came across that statement some time back when a friend posted it. For me, it seemed like a smaller version of a paradox; where if you had looked at it immediately, with no effort to make a deeper analysis you could think the statement was wrong, in some grammatical sense. No, it isn't wrong. The statement highlights the need to say no to giving up. Like, why not give up the attitude of giving up itself?
If there's anything about giving up that one should learn is to give up that attitude of giving up. To put a stop to giving up. Holding our ground and not giving in is an attitude that should be embraced by every success and destiny-oriented person. But yes, it's easier said than done. Not when life is hitting us up and down and everything we try to do to continue moving, to keep on keeping on seems to be extinguished or swallowed up.
Maybe with that, we'll understand why people could end up giving up. However, the route to victory or success doesn't welcome giving up. I see giving up as that point when a person comes to a consensus with their mind and body that they are done with a thing or life. At such, giving up isn't a function of the physical actions but first that of the mind. When a person gives up today, they had it coming, perhaps weeks, months or even years ago.
There are times I do some things, and in the midst of the difficulty or lack of ideas, especially when it relates to my creative works, I tend to lose the flow or encouragement and the suggestion that comes next is that of giving up. Honestly, it's easier to give up than to stand my ground and hold on to continue in those things. And I look at this from the bigger perspective of life as a whole, it only gets harder not to give up. Yet rewarding when we persevere.
On a smaller scale or sense, sometimes, when carrying out a task, the feeling to give up comes up. This was especially when my creativity was challenged by the task I was working on, mostly with regards to designs; graphic design or architectural building design. You know that struggle where you are trying to bring forth something and it isn't coming out coherently, right? That had me several times feeling like giving up on such tasks.
To the bigger picture; life as a whole, there were times it felt like just doing nothing again. It feels like a constant battle for me. We make several efforts towards some gain in life, and these things fail to happen and you're there feeling wasted and confused. That's the moment the thought to just give up sets in. Like, why should I continue when the results aren't forthcoming? But that's where perseverance and an envision of the future sets in.
Life sometimes seems like a baseless endeavour, so the will to give up isn't far from our minds. I also know that when we have a future, a vision we are looking forth to, we can't find it easy to give up amidst the uneasy situations. It wouldn't be about us not just wanting to give up, but rather wanting to achieve the future we envision or dream of. And knowing that we can't achieve anything by giving up, we strive and continue with resilience and perseverance.
Images are mine.
Giving up on giving up.
Had to think about this one. In the end I think I would break it into two parts.
First part: Stamina and perseverance. Giving up because something is difficult is a terrible idea. Giving up because it is hard is the sign you are destined to lose. Sticking with something until its logical conclusion is something I would absolutely hold to.
but
Second part: Sometimes the logical conclusion isn't what you hoped it would be. If you work hard towards something only to figure out that it (a) isn't what you want (b) isn't actually attainable or (c) will cost far more than its worth? Then there is nothing wrong with stopping, thinking, and deciding to go down another path.
I believe it was Bruce Lee who said "be like water".... if one path isn't going to work don't be so rigid that you refuse to go down another path.
Or as my mom would tell me. If one door closes, look for the window.
In short.....
"give up on giving up" works very well as a statement to tell yourself to persevere when things get difficult. To forget about quitting when times get tough.
but always remember about the sunk cost fallacy.
Just because you spend a dollar on something doesn't mean you should keep sinking more and more money into it. Spending a year on a relationship that isn't working doesn't mean you have to spend ten more.
Chasing bad relationships, unrealistic goals, or foolish ambition can cost far more than its worth.
Just my quick thoughts.
True. I get your point and I agree with you.
Sometimes, when the endeavour isn't worth it or leading to any profitable end of any means, it's best you leave such a thing. And that doesn't mean giving up. It's fixing priorities and doing the necessary.
Well understood. Thank you for adding in some way to this post.
Your welcome :)
I believe every decision is from the mind,, when we get a positive mindset about life, giving up won't be an option no matter the circumstances
That's true. Especially when we know we really need to attain that result or success.
Thank you!