WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-9115d.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-9115e.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-9115f.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91160.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91161.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91162.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91163.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91164.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1021): Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91165.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device") in /var/www/html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 2056

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91165.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SELECT t.*, tt.*, tr.object_id FROM wp_terms AS t INNER JOIN wp_term_taxonomy AS tt ON t.term_id = tt.term_id INNER JOIN wp_term_relationships AS tr ON tr.term_taxonomy_id = tt.term_taxonomy_id WHERE tt.taxonomy IN ('category', 'post_tag', 'post_format') AND tr.object_id IN (163) ORDER BY t.name ASC

Why It's Absolutely Okay To Be A Quitter - RamonaMead.com

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91166.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91167.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-91168.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SHOW FULL COLUMNS FROM `wp_options`

Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1021): Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-9116a.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device") in /var/www/html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 2056

WordPress database error: [Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1-47905-9116a.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device")]
SELECT wp_posts.* FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_postmeta ON ( wp_posts.ID = wp_postmeta.post_id ) WHERE 1=1 AND ( ( wp_postmeta.meta_key = '_pys_event_state' AND wp_postmeta.meta_value = 'active' ) ) AND wp_posts.post_type = 'pys_event' AND ((wp_posts.post_status = 'publish')) GROUP BY wp_posts.ID ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC

why it's absolutely okay to be a quitter
Uncategorized

Why It’s Absolutely Okay To Be A Quitter

Quitting gets a bad rap.

Almost three years ago, I retired from roller derby after a serious injury. I struggled with the fact that I had to quit. We’re conditioned to think quitting means we’re a loser, weak, or scared, that it’s always a negative.

The truth is, sometimes it’s time to quit.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I’ve done my fair share of quitting: jobs, hobbies, relationships. It can be painful to stand up and say “Okay, I’m all done here,” but it almost always comes with a rush of relief.

I’m not saying I quit anything at the first inkling of discomfort, but the older I get, the shorter that window gets, where I’ll tolerate feeling bad.

I most certainly quit books. I used to be a reader who never quit, and I know many people like that. I understand the drive to finish a book you’ve invested time in. Trust me, I’ve hung in there through many sucky books thinking “This has to get better” (but it never does.)

Some readers have a rule, giving a book 100 pages, three chapters, or a similar deadline before they quit. I don’t have any guidelines like that. I’m either “feeling it” or I’m not, and whenever the “not feeling it” kicks in, I put the book down.

There are far too many wonderful books waiting for me to spend my valuable time with ones I don’t enjoy. The same goes for people, activities, and meals!

It’s important to note: Putting a book down isn’t always a permanent pass. Often it’s simply not the right time in my life to be encountering that particular book.

I started The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson twice and was terribly bored. Almost a year later, it was a selection for one of my book clubs so I pushed through the slow part and ended up learning a lot and being glad I read it.

I was 90 pages into Outlander by Diana Galbaldon and ready to quit, when I consulted a friend who loves the series. “Keep going,” she pleaded, “It gets better!” About 25 pages later, I texted her to say things were heating up and I was so glad I stuck with it! Now I’m on the third book in the series.

I’ve only ever quit one book club book, which was People of The Book by Geraldine Brooks. I truly gave it my best effort, but I simply didn’t like it. I greatly value my bookish friend’s suggestions so I didn’t want to give up, but I had to, to stay true to myself. She liked that book a lot, and was disappointed I didn’t, but she respected my need to quit.

Having people in my life who support my decisions to quit (a book or a sport) has been a huge factor in my being comfortable doing so.

What are your thoughts on quitting books and why? What’s a book you’ve quit or wish you had?

16 Comments

  1. Lea Christensen

    May 10, 2017 at 9:51 am

    I admire your full on focus of living your best you. I aspire to it and love it!

  2. Doree Weller

    May 10, 2017 at 10:23 am

    I’m with you; I’m either feeling a book or not. If I feel my attention keep waning, I quit. That being said, I’ve had some books that didn’t work for me at one time, but then when I pick it up later, it’s great. Unless the book is actually bad, I know that not being into a book is more about me than the book.
    On another note… I was nominated for the Mystery Blogger award, and now I nominate you. You don’t have to accept you don’t want to, but it was fun to do. You can read about it on my blog, if you’re interested.
    Doree Weller

  3. The 20 Books of Summer Challenge – While I Was Reading

    May 31, 2017 at 6:06 am

    […] painstakingly sorted through my shelves today and made a stack of 20 for the challenge. Since I’m big on quitting a book I don’t like, I’ve selected 5 […]

  4. On Hating A Popular Book: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins – While I Was Reading

    June 12, 2017 at 4:08 am

    […] Meyer’s The Host in 2010. I vowed to never again force myself through a terrible book. Since then, if I dislike a book I quit it. I stuck with Into the Water because I thought surely it would get better eventually, plus my friend […]

  5. http://condensareimmergas.ro

    July 10, 2017 at 6:23 am

    Aw, this was a really nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a really good article?
    but what can I say? I procrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.

  6. Bridgett

    August 22, 2017 at 6:53 am

    Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my
    comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways,
    just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  7. 8 Series Worth Sticking With – While I Was Reading

    August 23, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    […] written previously about my willingness to quit a book if I’m not enjoying it. I apply this approach to series as well. While I know many avid […]

  8. list of adult fiction books

    August 28, 2017 at 8:37 am

    I’m not sure why but this site is loading incredibly slow
    for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?

    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  9. Ramona Mead

    August 28, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    I haven’t heard of anyone else having problems, but thanks for letting me know. I’ll look into it. And thanks for visiting my site!

  10. Ramona Mead

    August 28, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    I haven’t heard of anyone else having problems, but thanks for letting me know. I’ll look into it. And thanks for visiting my site!

  11. Olive

    November 8, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    I really like reading through a post that will make people think.

    Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!

  12. Why Do We Hate-Read? – While I Was Reading

    March 7, 2018 at 5:01 am

    […] why do I keep reading? As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge proponent of quitting a book if I’m not “feeling it,” meaning if it’s boring,I can’t follow […]

  13. What’s Next? How To Choose Your Next Read – Ramona Mead

    June 22, 2018 at 5:01 am

    […] a book, so that’s why intuition is important. It’s also why I’m a fan of quitting a book that I’m not loving. I’ve owned books for months, or even years, before finally feeling “the call” to […]

  14. Zelma

    July 14, 2018 at 11:02 pm

    It would not get any easier than that.

  15. 10 of the Best Books About Serial Killers – Ramona Mead

    October 21, 2018 at 10:20 am

    […] *I’ve read this one, and talk about it here. […]

  16. 3 Reasons to Quit the Book You're Reading - RamonaMead.com

    March 20, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    […] sometimes I feel pressure to finish a book I don’t like. I usually don’t give into it. I’ve written in the past about my strong belief in quitting books I don’t like. In fact, I think anybody should quit […]

Leave a Reply