Give yourself a head start on 2025 by quitting in 2024

Before you start something awesome, you need to know what you're going to quit.

Quitting gets a bad reputation. It’s seen as weakness, failure - the ugly cousin of perseverance that no one wants to talk about at family gatherings. We glorify stories of people who “pushed through” and “never gave up,” but how often do we hear someone proudly say, “I quit, and it was the best decision I ever made”? And when we do, it’s often met with quiet judgment or whispered pity, as if quitting could never truly be a good thing.

As the year wraps up, instead of piling on more goals or chasing a busier 2025, what if you used this time to let go of what’s weighing you down? What if quitting wasn’t about failure but about redirecting your time and energy toward what genuinely matters?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is not length of life, but depth of life.” But how much depth can we find if we’re holding on to every outdated commitment or goal out of habit? How deep can you really go with something if you’ve only dipped your toes in?

My History of Sticking It Out

I’ve been the embodiment of sticking things out. I held on to jobs, projects, and relationships long after they’d run their course. I pushed myself to the brink, taking on every role and responsibility like it was a badge of honour, convinced that resilience meant holding on.

But here’s the truth: staying too long has cost me more than quitting ever could. It’s cost me peace of mind, health, and countless hours I’ll never get back. Society glorifies sticking it out no matter the cost, but who decided to quit was inherently bad? Why do we celebrate exhaustion?

Maybe it’s time to see quitting for what it is: a powerful, strategic choice.

The Quitter’s Wins

Quitting has never been easy, but it’s always been worth it. I’ve stepped away from jobs that drained me, relationships that held me back, and challenges that no longer aligned with my goals. The best way to decide if quitting is the right move is to weigh what you’re letting go against what you stand to gain. More often than not, you’re trading stress, drama, and exhaustion for opportunities, clarity, and the time to focus on what truly matters.

Quitting isn’t running away from responsibility; it’s running toward the life you want. It’s saying, “This no longer serves me, and that’s okay.”

As 2024 comes to a close, what can you let go of to set yourself up for a better 2025? You don’t have to wait for January 1st to start fresh. December is the perfect time to quit what’s holding you back - the draining commitments, the toxic relationships, the habits or goals that no longer align with your vision for the future.

Quitting now gives you a head start. By shedding the weight of what no longer works, you’re making room for growth, clarity, and purpose in the new year.

So, as you look ahead, ask yourself: What do you need to quit to make room for the life you truly want? Here’s to shedding the shame. To choosing depth over duration, freedom over fear.