Some of us know that it is common to try out several sports in a trial-and-error stage. Whether we are young aspiring future athletes, or bored high school students who want to try something new, starting sports is always encouraged. However, when it comes to the point where a certain sport is not fun anymore, a program is not working out for you or you just cannot really pinpoint where your unhappiness in the activity is coming from, sometimes the best option is to get out.
Whether it be a bad coach, a changing period in your life, injury, poor relationships with teammates, not enough time, or something else entirely, there are multiple reasons why someone would wish to not continue with a sport that they are participating in. The longer you have been involved in said sport, or even said program, can make leaving it behind all the more difficult. I can say this, though, that even if it feels like quitting is the hardest thing in the world, the fact that you seriously thought of it as an option shows that it might be the best decision.
It may be your decision to quit -- or it may not be -- but either way it does not make it an easier process to go through. You feel as though you will disappoint people such as your teammates, parents, siblings, friends, coaches, etc. The truth is, someone may be disappointed, but that’s OK. The only person you should focus on pleasing is yourself, and make sure you are happy in the life you are living by the decisions you are making. I promise, sometimes all you need to do is quit in order to feel 100 percent better immediately.
Although it is stressful, it is most usually worth it. If you have participated your whole life, then you may feel a sense of leaving a part of you behind and you might not know what to do with that. You will re-identify yourself and you will find something else to love. The option is not always to quit, but if you have a coach or teammates that do not push you to be the best you can be, or you have injuries that inhibit you from performing at your best level or threaten problems down the road, or you just feel bored in the position you are in, it is definitely a decision to consider. It is always important to remember that often times when one door closes, another one opens.
