Are you afraid of disappointing people who had invested and believed in you?  Let me tell you a little quit-or-stay story about myself.  In grad school, I decided to take Judo lessons. I was one of two females in the class and was one of the oldest students.  Everyone gave me a lot of extra attention and guidance so I could do well, but within three weeks I injured myself three times and was unable to go running, my favorite exercise.  

I agonized over quitting because I didn’t want to hurt the instructors’ feelings and because I didn’t want to have wasted their time. A few days later, a student in one of my classes who had been coming to office hours regularly shamefacedly told me he was dropping the class.  He felt so guilty, but I told him that he needed to do what was best for him, that I supported his decision.

All of a sudden I realized I was doing the same thing in Judo. The teachers would support me in making the right decision for myself.  If not, then they would be only thinking of their own happiness, not mine. I quit the class, returned to running, and was happy once again.

If you’re afraid of letting down parents, family, or friends, the same logic applies.  Those who really care for your well-being will support your thoughtful decision.  If not, then their disappointment is indicative of their own wants and desires, not yours.

This can be especially hard for children who want to fulfill their parents’ wishes for them to become a doctor, lawyer, activist, etc…. But we are only given one life, and you have the power to choose which path is best for you.