Life
5 Times You Should Never. Ever. Give. Up.
There are some things you should never give up on. Obviously, there are many things you should give up on: smoking, bad boyfriends, Season 3 of New Girl. I've never been much of a quitter — after nearly 30 years on this planet, I'm still figuring out how to put down a book even if I'm not enjoying it at all halfway through. While some things deserve to be left by the wayside (The Crying Of Lot 49, for instance), there are other things that absolutely should not be given up on (Jane Eyre).
Saying you shouldn't give up on things can be as toxic as giving up on things. For instance, I didn't put "love" on this list because sometimes love is awful and you should be able to give up on it without feeling guilty. And while you should definitely give things like love your best shot, there has to be a point where you can say "fuck it" with impunity, and just walk away. Giving up or not giving up on things is solely based on what is best for you in the circumstances, and yes, sometimes that also incorporates what's best for your loved ones.
So in the spirit of being a better person, working on your night cheese, not getting hepatitis, and not letting yourself down, here are 5 things you should never give up on:
1. Dairy
Unless a doctor has specifically diagnosed you with an allergy, there is no reason for you to give up eating dairy. "Dieting" is not a reason. What kind of sick weirdo wants to live in a world where they can't stand in the open fridge right before bed time, eating cheese straight out of the cold cuts drawer anyway?
2. Wearing high heels
When I was 20, I wore high heels exclusively, both at work and socially. Obviously, I've developed common sense, back problems and also credit card debt since then, so now high heels are a "sometimes" thing. Since I'm now more accustomed to walking in flats, a night in heels can be hard on my feet: but when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Don't be one of those girls walking down the street with her heels in her hand (seriously do you want to get hepatitis?) Be the girl that never says die.
3. Anything you say you'll do
If you say you're going to do something, do it. Unless there's some unexpected factor so grand and tangible enough to stop you carrying out your promise, do what you can to keep your word, even if you didn't anticipate that keeping your word would be boring/difficult/so not what you feel like doing right now. Don't be lazy when it comes to your word (to both yourself and others), and don't make excuses that aren't real.
4. Learning
Sorry to sound like a mom, but just because school's over it doesn't mean you should stop learning. It's fairly easy to let your brain turn to mush when you haven't got academic deadlines breathing down your neck, so it's important not to give up on keeping yourself informed.
5. Yourself, dummy
It should go without saying, but don't give up on yourself. Throughout your life, other people will most certainly give up on you. Whether you're the best person in the world or the worst, it doesn't matter – other people will inevitably bail or stop believing in you. Not all people will, but the moral is that other people can't be relied on to make you happen. Only you can make you happen.
