I was running. I didn’t take my mobile phone or any electronic device with me. I planned to try a new route that I didn’t experience before.
Although I planned the route previously I still became insecure about where it would take me. I saw a long straight path ahead of me, but it was not clear where exactly should I take a turn.
“What if I will miss the right path? What if I will go the wrong way?” The more I continued the more anxious I got. I was starting to think about turning back and going back the same way that I passed.
Nevertheless, I still continued, even though the voices telling me to stop were getting louder and louder.
“How much more do I need to run? Where is the path that I planned?” I kept asking myself.
I was still starting to see the quitting part of my mind. It wanted to find an excuse. Mentally I was thinking about step 10000, but I was on step 10.
“Do I have a good posture? How do I step while running? How do I breathe?” I decided to focus on my form and limit my attention to the next upcoming step.
I moved my body in spite of the narratives that my ego was telling me while closing in on the uncertainty.
“I should turn somewhere around this bridge.” I was carefully observing.
Suddenly, I saw a small path on my right side where I decided to go. It connected me to a road that was on the planned route so then I knew I was on the right track. I followed it and continued to run while the noises in my head have gotten quieter and quieter.
After finishing the run I was glad I didn’t turn back and quit because this run was a preparation for my first half-marathon. Also, I felt my possibilities were more extensive, and interesting by trying a new path.
This whole situation got me thinking. Isn’t this what often happens to us? We want to quit when there is uncertainty and anxiousness, but if we just continued we could realize that we were on the right path the whole time.
I’m not saying we should never quit. Sometimes there is a wall that we don’t see and we are banging our heads at it. In some cases, a change of direction is needed.
What I want to point out is that our minds start to make a quitting narrative which, in some cases, we should not believe.
And I would say that nowadays this is needed. To voluntarily confront the uncertainty. To run toward the unknown. To overcome oneself in spite of the anxiety and uncertainty.
So, if you are thinking to quit keep calm and breathe. Focus on your posture, and focus on the next step. Focus on what you can control.