OF “GIVING UP”:
COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Sometimes, giving up is a rational decision based on a cost-benefit analysis. If the perceived costs of continuing to pursue a goal outweigh the potential benefits, individuals may choose to disengage and allocate their resources elsewhere. For example, continuously chasing a goal that has lost its worth.
ADAPTATION: Giving up can be a form of adaptation to changing circumstances or constraints. When faced with insurmountable challenges or limitations, you may strategically decide to redirect your efforts towards other more attainable or rewarding goals. After all, who doesn't like to be rewarded?
SELF-PRESERVATION: In some cases, giving up may serve as a protective mechanism to preserve one’s well-being, mental health, or resources. For example, acknowledging personal limitations, setting realistic boundaries, and prioritising self-care over the relentless pursuit of unattainable goals.
LEARNED HELPLESSNESS: Martin Seligman, an American psychologist, developed his learned helplessness theory with a classical conditioning experiment using dogs. He noticed that the dogs didn’t try to escape the shocks if they had been conditioned to believe that they couldn’t escape. The conditioned dogs learned to accept their fate and not do anything to try and change the situation because they believed that they had no control over their circumstances, leading them to give up trying to change or improve their situation.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION: Letting go of unrealistic or unattainable goals can promote emotional well-being by reducing stress, frustration, and disappointment. This can help your overstimulated and tired nervous system relax. Eventually, this leads to accepting the limitations of a situation and moving on, which can foster resilience and psychological flexibility.
Cameron Diaz rose to stardom in Hollywood — only to leave her acting career in the past. Diaz got her start with a role alongside Jim Carrey in the 1994 film The Mask. The actress continued to find success with movies — My Best Friend’s Wedding, Charlie’s Angels and more.
my job and family. It was difficult because I was always on the run before this. I had limited my travel, which was strictly necessary,” she says.
However, life has shifted in a great way. “Arjun has brought so much joy into my life. For me, this stage of life represents an investment of time and energy in creating a future of love and pleasure,” says Yamini.