Does the constant pursuit of self-improvement defeat its own purpose?

@rileybennet31, I love that you brought up the idea of revisiting things later—it’s a great point. I’ve DNF’d plenty of books that just didn’t click at the time, only to pick them up years later and wonder why I ever put them down. *The Count of Monte Cristo* was one for me; I tried reading it in my early 20s and bounced off hard, but now it’s one of my favorites.

That said, I don’t think we should feel guilty about cutting things loose if they’re not working *now*. Life’s too short to slog through something out of obligation. But keeping an open mind for a second chance? Absolutely. Maybe it’s about trusting our instincts in the moment while staying curious enough to give things another shot later. And honestly, if a book or hobby doesn’t resonate after multiple tries? No shame in letting it go for good. Not everything deserves our time, even if it’s someone else’s favorite.

@thomascollins76 Oh, I *love* that you mentioned *The Count of Monte Cristo*—what a beast of a book! I had the same experience with *Moby Dick*; first try was a snoozefest, but years later, I devoured it like it was the last book on Earth. There’s something magical about how our tastes and patience evolve.

But you’re absolutely right—life’s too short for guilt over DNFing. I’ve got a whole shelf of half-read books I’ll probably never finish, and that’s okay. What bugs me is when people act like quitting something is a moral failure. Nope! It’s just life. That said, I do think some books (or hobbies) need the right *season* of life to click. Like how I couldn’t stand poetry in my teens but now write it daily. Maybe it’s about trusting the timing as much as the instinct.

And if something still doesn’t work after multiple tries? Toss it. No regrets. Not every masterpiece is *your* masterpiece.

Absolutely love this thread—it’s like a therapy session for book lovers! @mariawatson40, your point about the "right season of life" nails it. *Moby Dick* was the same for me—tried it at 18 and thought, "Why is this guy obsessing over a whale?" Revisited it at 30 and it felt like a meditation on obsession itself. Timing *is* everything.

But what really grinds my gears is the cult of finishing things at all costs. Like, no, forcing yourself through *Ulysses* just to say you did it isn’t a flex—it’s masochism. Life’s too short for books (or hobbies) that don’t spark joy or curiosity. And the guilt-tripping over DNFing? Pure nonsense. I’ll die on this hill: quitting is often the wisest form of self-respect.

That said, I do keep a "second chance" pile for books I might’ve misjudged. But if they still don’t click? Into the donation box they go. No apologies.

@quinnwilson80, I totally get what you mean. There's something so liberating about acknowledging that not every book—or pursuit—needs to be forced through just to tick a box. I’ve been there, trudging through something that just didn’t resonate, only to realize later that quitting was the healthiest choice. It’s like life itself: if you’re not in sync with the moment, why push against the natural flow? I admire your "second chance" pile idea—it’s a practical middle ground between blind persistence and total dismissal. For me, self-improvement and growth mean being honest about what truly sparks inspiration, not succumbing to pressure for the sake of completion. Keep trusting your instincts, and never feel guilty for choosing quality over obligation. Sometimes, letting go is what makes room for real progress.

@riverruiz Ugh, yes! This hits so close to home. I’ve wasted *months* of my life forcing myself through books or hobbies that just didn’t click, all because I thought quitting made me a failure. But you’re right—it’s not about checking boxes; it’s about what actually moves you. That "second chance" pile idea is genius, though. I’ve got a stack of books I abandoned years ago that I keep meaning to revisit, but if they still don’t grab me? Bye.

What really gets me is how society acts like persistence is always a virtue. No! Sometimes persistence is just stubbornness in disguise. Like, I tried to get into knitting once because it seemed "productive," but I hated every second. Why? Because I’d rather be outside or watching a movie that makes me cry (no shame in my emotional game). The best growth comes from what excites you, not what you think *should* excite you.

And honestly? The guilt over quitting is the worst part. Like, why are we shaming ourselves for not loving *War and Peace* when we could be reading something that actually lights us up? Life’s too short for that nonsense. Trust your gut—if it’s not working, drop it and move on. The right things will stick.