When I feel like giving up on my dreams – I do these 7 things

carolefrey
Nov 4
4 min read

Updated: Nov 5

Honestly, as an entrepreneur trying to carve my own path, this feeling is no stranger to me.

This isn’t your average inspiration only post, because let’s be honest—life is hard. The sooner we accept that little fun fact, the better equipped we are to handle the inevitable challenges.

No matter who you are—you face challenges, too.

There will be moments when you feel like giving up.

Moments when you’re unsure of your next move,

or questioning if everything you’ve done so far has been worth it.

Times when you forget who you really are—courageous, clear, loving—and let fear sneak in,

convincing you it’s safer than chasing your dreams.

But if we pause and listen, we can hear the two voices inside us: fear, and love.

Fear deserves a voice, yes—but it has a bias. Its job is to keep you small, comfortable, and in the familiar, because anything beyond that feels scary. Love, on the other hand, reminds you of who you truly are and why you started in the first place.

So now that we’ve agreed—life is hard, and that’s completely normal & okay—we can start planning for it, and showing up anyway.

This is one of the main reasons I practice yoga. Not to bend, balance, or twist—

but so I can handle challenge with strength and grace,

so I can remain calm and steady in the face of adversity,

and so I can respond rather than react.

Yoga has shown up in my life in ways that matter far beyond the mat. It has taught me how to move forward even when giving up feels like the only option. And because I am human, I know that feeling of wanting to give up well. I’d also wager I’m not alone.

So I decided to gather the 7 things I do in those moments—and I’m sharing them here, in the hope they help you navigate the hard times, remind you why you started, and step forward anyway.

Remember, always keep swimming.

1. I let myself feel it — all of it:

I cry, I rest, I walk, I dance, I lay in the sun. Sometimes I binge my favorite TV show. I drink lots of water, and eat nourishing foods…and chocolate. I don’t bypass the emotion; I let it move through me.

Try it yourself: Today, whatever you’re feeling, let it be. Don’t judge it. Feel it fully.

2. I turn on my “Can’t Give Up” playlist:

Yes, it’s real. Can you tell I’ve been here before? Music has a way of speaking what words cannot. It shifts energy, reminds me of resilience, and somehow makes everything feel lighter.

Try it yourself: What song or playlist makes you feel unstoppable, even for a few minutes? Put it on and notice how it moves you.

Listen to the playlist HERE.

3. I visualize the alternative:

I ask myself what life would look like if I walked away from this path. Usually, it’s blurry and disconnected. But when I imagine continuing forward — it’s clear, alive, real. That clarity reminds me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Try it yourself: Take a moment to imagine both paths — leaving or continuing. Notice how each feels in your body. Which one feels aligned with who you really are?

4. I lean into my practices:

Meditation, pranayama, mantra, asana — my daily tools and anchors. I don’t force it; I pick what feels right that day. My practice always brings me back home to steadiness, to myself.

Try it yourself: Pick one practice that grounds you — even for five minutes — and commit to it right now. Notice how it shifts your energy.

5. I stay open to signs:

Sometimes it’s a tarot card that reads, “Remember who you wanted to become.” Sometimes it’s a conversation, a feeling, or the quiet whisper of intuition. Either way, I listen.

Try it yourself: Pay attention today. Notice little nudges, coincidences, or inner whispers that might be guiding you.

6. I return to my old mantra: Just keep swimming:

It got me through 2019 — teaching at four studios, bartending, waiting tables, and building my retreat business all at once. Simple, subtle, yet powerful. It still carries me today.

Try it yourself: Think of a short phrase, mantra, or quote that has carried you through tough times. Repeat it whenever the doubts start creeping in.

7. I remember who I am:

Everything I’ve poured into this — the work, the faith, the perseverance — it matters. I’m not done yet. So I gather myself, dress my best (even if my hair stays wild), hold my head high, and walk forward as the truest version of me — the one with a purpose to fulfill.

Try it yourself: Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve done to get here. Name one thing you’ve accomplished recently that reminds you of your resilience and purpose.

The feeling of wanting to give up is no stranger to me.

We’re actually friends by now — the kind you vent to, who knows you don’t really mean it, but listens with compassion anyway.

So yeah, we’re friends — just not the kind I need to visit too often.

Because as the Bhagavad Gita teaches, pain and pleasure, success and struggle — they all pass.

My work is simple: stay steady, keep showing up, and trust the path beneath my feet.

If you’re feeling the weight of your own journey, remember — you don’t have to go it alone.

Whether it’s a retreat to reset, a yoga class to reconnect, or a coaching session to find your footing and gain clarity, there are ways to lean into support while trusting your path.

Explore Free Spirited Wanderer Retreats or coaching programs to see how you might recharge, realign, and come back to yourself.