"Don't give up!" "Keep going!" "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"
These were all quotes that I lived by for years. For most of my life, I thought that if I just kept trying -rather, kept striving - then I could make my dreams a reality. Well, to each his own, so just know that what I am about to say is a reflection of my experience thus far. If what has worked for you continues to work for you, then don't change!
Sometimes, quitting is the best option...
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the first, second, or third time you fail at something you desire to do, that you should give up hope forever. What I am saying is that in my journey, there was a point in time that I was so determined to reach a very specific outcome, that I forgot to leave room for the Creator. Perhaps you refer to it as the Universe. Either way, it is living, it is real, and ultimately, it has the final say.
So say your dream is to become a Hollywood actress. Go for it! And when I say 'go for it,' I really do mean to try your best. But do so with the understanding that something different - something greater may be in store for you. And if you know in your heart that there is no other option for your life's path, go after it as best as possible. BUT please, please make your journey fun. Know that your disappointments and failures are not a reflection of you. And when you sense that those failures and negative thoughts are consuming your emotions....quit....for as long as you need to.
There is nothing wrong with stepping away to take a break for your mental health. If your heart so desires, you can pick it up later. But in the meantime, while you are taking that break, explore some other area of life. Watch a movie in a genre you've never really explored. You may have performed on stage throughout your life. You may love music and have learned to play different instruments with the hope of becoming a professional musician and icon like the legends we love. Perhaps now's the time to try to pick up a paintbrush and see where it takes you. No? Maybe that's just my story.
If someone told me at age 17 as a college freshman, even though I wanted to be the next (female) Michael Jackson, that I would graduate with a degree in Kinesiology, and upon graduating realize that I didn't want to be a Physical Therapist; that I wouldn't go to Juliard immediately after graduating; that it would take several months for me to find my first {contract} job; that I would later get that desk job that I Always said I would never want; and that the mentality of striving would keep me unhappy for several years to come, I don't think I would've believed it. Of course, now I see the purpose in that journey, but I think that the reason I see it now is because I got to the point where I gave up. In fact, I think I told God something like "I blame everything I experience on You...the good, the bad, and whatever happens - I'm saying it's your fault/blessing." When I gave up control, I began moving to where I am.
Either way, the moral of this story is, in my opionion, quitting is perfectly fine. I didn't start painting until 2015 or so. After one Paint & Sip class, I realized that despite all of my years of striving, I could just have fun painting. So my advice is, if you are stressed or confused on reaching your goals: let it go! Keep living your life, and just see what happens. Either that door you've been trying to enter for so long will suddenly open, or one better than you could have imagined will. Just know that the best is yet to come!
Blessings!