As we start this whole college thing, we always hear the same thing. “College is the time to try new things and know yourself.” We hear that because it’s true. Putting yourself out there and trying out new experience is one of the best parts of this chapter in our lives. I mean, we have 4 years (or more) in a new city with people we don’t know. There’s not much we can do that isn’t a new experience. However, with all that trying and experiencing there are going to be things we don’t love. Not everything is going to ignite some great passion or add something to you’re personality. You are going to try things and not like them. Imagine if you found that you loved every single thing you tried, your schedule would be a mess.
Recently, I tried Rugby. I played several sports throughout school, sticking with lacrosse in high school. I love watching sports and I missed being athletic. I loved getting involved in sports and sticking with them because I’ve always prided myself on the fact the I’m not a quitter. I kept seeing the flyers for the rugby team’s interest meeting so I took that as a sign to go and check it out. After meeting everyone, I was sold. The entire team was so nice and funny, I could see myself finding a comfortable niche with a new great group of friends. The first few days of practice were amazing. Running again felt amazing. I started spending more time in the gym because of how great I felt. I was looking forward to learning new parts of the game and getting closer to everyone. It was difficult; I was in pain all the time. But I wanted to stick with it. I’m not a quitter. The first morning workout was so cool. We watched the sunrise and pushed ourselves really hard. The next day I passed out at practice. Just another challenge that I had to overcome. I had to keep pushing. I’m not a quitter…right? When learning new plays and rules of the game, I found that I needed a lot of extra help. I was really behind, objectively the worst one on that field. Everyone was supportive and tried their best to help me out, but I could tell I was holding the practices back.
Now you may be thinking, “Well you just started practicing, you didn’t give it enough of a chance.” Which I could agree with. However I can also say that I was losing motivation to improve quickly. Going to practice wasn’t making me happy. I was dreading it. If playing rugby made me feel amazing and I found myself on the edge of my seat, waiting for classes to end just to get to practice, I would say that giving it my 110% every single practice to learn and catch up to everyone would have been the right choice. But staying, busting my butt to try to improve without even wanting to, growing miserable, just to say I stuck to it, just to prove this idea that I don’t give up? What sounds fun about that? So I left. I texted my captain to run it by her and was met with nothing but support for my decision. The people I met while I was there are some of the best people I’ve ever met. I plan to go to games on Saturdays and keep up with the lovely friendships I made.
I think we have this idea burned in our brains that not sticking to something is the worst thing someone can do. “Don’t be a quitter.” “Stick to it.” “Just buck up and try harder next time.” We hear these things because we are taught if we start something we have to see it through to the very end. If you love something, by all means, stick to it, try your best. But if you try something that club, hobby, instrument, or activity doesn’t make you feel like your adding something to your life. If you are dreading this practice…QUIT.
I would much rather be a quitter than miserable.