Never give up. It’s advice that is thrown around daily – but is it always right? We asked some folks we admire about their thoughts around how to know when to give up and when to keep trying

Arielle Wiley | Photographer

I think knowing when to push on or call it quits is a very situational decision that can be consuming if you don’t know how to approach it. Start by asking yourself what you want, not what you think someone may want to hear if they asked but what YOU really want on a visceral level. Then also ask if keeping going is a threat to your ability to be healthy, happy and safe. Beyond that you just have to weigh the pros and cons, keeping those first questions in mind along the way. Don’t ever give up simply because something is hard or taking longer than you expected. Also give yourself grace when or if you do choose to give up, it’s not a failure to choose a new path. Read more>>

Micaela Merryman | Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of Flagstaff

I believe that if you are passionate about what you’re doing, giving up shouldn’t be an option. As the most basic level, the distinction lies in whether what you’re doing makes you happy or not. If it does, your passion shouldn’t be sacrificed for anything. There is a reason why people feel called to write, paint, or make a living out of their hobbies. If what you’re doing doesn’t fulfill you, I personally don’t consider walking away from it as ‘giving up’. That phrase carries such a negative connotation. I consider it as protecting your energy and not wasting your time. Life is fleeting, and it should be spent pursuing, as cliché as it sounds, what your heart desires. Read more>>

Bethany Sands | Audio Engineer and Sound Designer

2023 so far has been a year that has led to asking this question often. Do I keep going or do I give up? Most of my work as an audio engineer in recent years has been mainly in the podcasting industry. We’ve seen some big changes this year in the industry with companies downsizing and some independent podcasters turning to AI for their editing help. It has definitely had an impact on my business and the same can be said for many of my peers. Read more>>