Situations in life will often have you decide whether or not you want to throw in the towel. With relationships, friendships, and life in general, this becomes more and more apparent the longer they continue, and sometimes have you feeling like you're pinned against a wall. The timeless question everybody has to ask themselves at least once in their lives is a simple yes or no question: Should I give up? As simple a question as that is, the answer could not be anymore complex.
A universal topic for just about everybody is the topic of relationships, and this is where this timeless question comes into play the most. That one person you invested so much time of your life with, that one person you love more than anything, will inevitably raise the question of whether or not you want to stay with them. This could come from arguments between the two, disagreements, political differences, and quite simply a genuine disconnect between two lovebirds once perched so high in their nest, but now remain flightless on the ground. You hang on for as long as you can, and for what? To those not in a long-term committed relationship, this could seem foolish and plain detrimental to one's self-esteem. However, to the person in that relationship, hanging on is the one thing you want to do, and that raises the question, for how long? When does your willpower become fruitless?
To some, it never will never become that. The decision to leave a loved one is too excruciating for some, and for others it's as simple as sending a text message saying, "We're over." Your friends will be watching out for you, and sometimes they know what is best. Read their signs. Listen to their words. Chances are, if multiple people are telling you something, it is wise to listen. Friends and family can pick up on your personal traits better than you can sometimes, and if their 'danger radar' is going off, it might be best to pay attention. On the other hand, don't put all of your faith into others' perception.
At the end of the day, it is your decision, and your relationship, life, or friendship. While paying attention to the signs around you is important, paying attention to your own wants and needs are the most valuable option in any situation. As cliche a statement as this is, listening to yourself and your emotions are what makes this decision a little simpler. In the end, you should be involved with people who truly make you happy, and sometimes the people and friends around you will never understand that. Making a "yes" decision might cost you friends, and making a "no" decision might cost you somebody held so close to yourself, but ultimately, always remember that you are making that decision for yourself, and not for others.
Having recently been in a situation where this question has been brought up, it honestly hasn't been easy at all. The constant weighing of options only gets you further down the hole you're so desperately trying to climb up. The thought of remaining as flightless birds out of love and remaining unhappy is similar to comparing which are worse: spiders or snakes. However, it is the decision to let yourself grow as an individual that will lift you out of that hole.
All over social media we see tweets and posts stating, "Just leave." While it is easier said than done, sometimes that is the right choice. But the argument could also be made that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Ultimately, it is your decision, your happiness, your life that you are controlling. Take some time for self-discovery, a drive alone or a late-night jam session. Take the reigns, decide the path you want to go off on, and go. After all, sometimes it is just that: a simple yes or no question.
