The Lesson I Learned the Day I Almost Quit My Dream

Yes, I, Abby the intentional woman, traveler, mentor, and mother you know today almost gave up on my dream. And that day, though painful, taught me one of the most powerful lessons of my life. A lesson I now hold as a treasure, and one I want to share with you so you never have to let your dream slip away in a moment of despair.

Let’s walk this journey together.

When Quitting Felt Easier Than Continuing

It was one of those seasons when everything seemed to collapse at once. My work felt overwhelming, motherhood demanded more of me, my travels were exhausting rather than inspiring, and I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup.

One night, I sat on the edge of my bed and whispered to myself: “Maybe it’s time to quit. Maybe my dream isn’t meant for me after all.”

That thought scared me. Because for years, I had built my identity around living intentionally, pursuing balance, dream and carving a path that would inspire other women to do the same. But in that fragile moment, quitting felt like the easiest option.

Have you ever been there? That moment where silence feels louder than hope? Where walking away seems easier than holding on to a dream?

I was there. And I almost gave in.

The Breaking Point That Became a Turning Point

As I sat there wrestling with my doubts, something stirred in me. I remembered why I began in the first place.

I started my journey because I wanted to show women that you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to live a purposeful life. I wanted to model intentional living, where travel wasn’t just about luxury but about resetting your soul. Where career didn’t drown motherhood. Where balance was possible.

And if I quit, what would I be saying to my daughter? To the young women who see me as a mentor? To the community that looks up to me?

That night, I realized something: quitting was not just about me. It was about everyone who needed my story, my lessons, my rise.

And that was the shift. The moment I understood that struggle is part of the process, and grace meets us when we push past the point of surrender.

The Lesson That Changed Everything

The biggest lesson I learned that day is this: dreams don’t die in the moments of struggle they are refined.

Struggle doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing.
Tears don’t mean weakness. They mean you’re being stretched.
The urge to quit isn’t a sign you should stop it’s a test of how deeply your dream matters to you.

That day taught me that resilience isn’t about never wanting to quit. It’s about choosing not to, even when quitting feels like the easiest path.

And here’s the truth I discovered: sometimes the grace we’re praying for only shows up when we decide to take one more step.

How I Held On (Practical Shifts That Helped Me)

Holding on didn’t happen magically. I had to make intentional changes that helped me breathe, refocus, and keep moving forward. These shifts may help you, too:

1. I Reconnected With My “Why”

I wrote down the reasons I started in the first place. Reading them out loud reminded me of the bigger picture beyond my current pain.

2. I Allowed Myself to Pause, Not Quit

Sometimes, what you need is not to give up but to rest. I took a step back, gave myself permission to recharge, and came back stronger.

3. I Asked for Support

I shared my struggle with a trusted friend and mentor. Talking about it lifted the weight I was carrying alone. Sometimes, your community is your strength.

4. I Celebrated Small Wins

Instead of focusing on how far I still had to go, I looked at how far I had come. That shift fueled my gratitude and reminded me that progress is progress.

5. I Redefined Success

I realized success wasn’t about speed. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about consistency, resilience, and showing up even when it was hard.

To the Woman Who Feels Like Quitting Today

Maybe you’re reading this right now and you’re at your breaking point. Maybe your dream feels too big, your load too heavy, and your hope too thin.

I want you to pause and breathe.

You don’t have to quit. You might just need to rest. You might just need to realign with your “why.” You might just need to take one small step instead of ten.

The truth is, your dream is valid. Your journey matters. And someone, somewhere, is waiting for the light you carry.

If I could find grace in the middle of my struggle, so can you.

The Beauty of Rising After Almost Quitting

Looking back, I now see that the day I almost quit was one of the most important days of my life. Because it forced me to confront my fears, strip down my ego, and remember that resilience is not glamorous it’s gritty.

And when you rise after almost quitting, you rise stronger. You rise with clarity. You rise with grace.

Today, every time I look at my daughter, every time a woman tells me my story inspired her, every time I step into a space with confidence I silently thank that version of Abby who refused to give up.

She’s the reason I can stand tall today.

How You Can Apply This Lesson in Your Life

I don’t want this to just be my story. I want it to be yours too. Here are a few steps you can take the next time you feel like quitting:

Write a “Why List.” Keep your reasons for starting where you can see them.
Create a Pause Ritual. When overwhelm hits, pause, rest, and reset instead of giving up.
Build Your Support Circle. Surround yourself with people who remind you of your strength.
Focus on the Next Step. Don’t let the whole staircase overwhelm you just take the next step.
Celebrate Survival, Not Just Success. Even making it through a hard day is a victory.

My Mantra Today

The day I almost quit taught me a mantra I now live by:
“If I could hold on, so can you.”

It’s simple, but it carries power. Because if I had quit, I would have missed the beauty of what I’m experiencing today the grace, the balance, the purpose, the joy.

And if you don’t quit, you too will look back one day and realize this was just a chapter not the end of your story.

Final Thoughts

Dreams are fragile, but they are also resilient. They bend, but they don’t have to break.

The day I almost quit my dream didn’t mark the end it marked a rebirth. And the lesson I carry from that day is one I’ll never forget: grace meets us when we refuse to let go.

So, my dear sister, if you are on the edge today, take my hand. Let’s rise together. You are not alone. Your dream is still alive. And your story is still unfolding.

Because the lesson isn’t in the quitting it’s in the rising. Let’s rise together.