The Unanswerable Question: When Do You Let Go?

How many times should I try?

That's the question that haunts me every single day. It's the one that keeps me up at night. I constantly wrestle with the decision of when to let go and move on, versus when to keep pushing for the results I crave. It's a frustrating dance, this push and pull between perseverance and acceptance.

No one seems to agree on a definitive answer. Some cats will tout  an unwavering dedication, the idea that a breakthrough is always a few tries away. They cling to the belief that giving up is akin to surrendering on the verge of victory. 

100% of quitters are just a few miles away from success, type beat.

Then there are those who advocate for persistence, but with a caveat: you have to "know" when to stop. 

That's some bullshit, cuz wtf?!?

How am I supposed to just "know" when it's time to quit? It's like asking someone to predict the future, word for word, bar for bar, and with variations from what's actually gonna happen.

Gun to yo head, recite all the lyrics for the next couple of Ghostface Killah Albums, or you done for. 🥺🔫

This "knowing" is the very crux of my dilemma. I'm often navigating uncharted territory, venturing into new fields where I lack experience. Because...ya know...That's how life works. Even if I have a proficiency in something, I can't predict every outcome perfectly. They canceled Clarissa before she was able to explain it all. I watched Sabrina thinking that she might cast a spell to impart her infinate wisdom on the audience, but the talking cat needed his screen time, so that didn't happen.

Loved that show, btw. 

Everyone has the capacity to learn and grow. Proficiency comes with time and dedicated effort. As you immerse yourself in a subject, you gradually develop that elusive "knowing." You gain a deeper understanding of the nuances, the subtle signs that indicate whether to press on or change course.

I wish this crucial piece of information was included in every discussion about quitting versus trying on. It's not about blind faith or arbitrary deadlines. It's about recognizing that "knowing" is a skill, a muscle that's developed through experience and self-reflection.

It's about acknowledging that sometimes, the most valuable lesson is learning when to let go, when to redirect your energy towards something more fruitful. But also, it's about not giving up too soon, and understanding that learning will always take time.

Ultimately, I'm still searching for my own answer. I'm learning to trust my instincts, to pay attention to subtle cues that guide me. What's helped is being able to cope with failure. I'm not afraid to go out and fuck up the mixing of an entire album(I've done it a few times, and I think I've finally learned what NOT to do👍🏾), so I at least know that element of my art is something I should push forward with, even through the pitfalls.