Feeling like Giving Up? Don’t Quit Yet!

Hey,

A new week means a new blog—and this one marks Blog 21. That means I’ve been showing up and publishing a new post every week for the past 21 weeks. Honestly, it still feels surreal.

Each week, I’ve dedicated my time and effort to help you understand military life better. But I’ll be real with you—it hasn’t always been easy. There were moments I felt like quitting and giving up. Moments where I felt like it was just too much, and I questioned whether I was even doing the right thing.

Back when I was in the Air Force, it took me four years to achieve a goal I had from the very start—becoming a Phoenix Raven. It wasn’t easy, and the path was full of setbacks, but I stayed committed. Eventually, I reached that goal and got to live the dream I had worked so hard for.

And today, I want to talk about that with you. I want to talk about why you shouldn’t quit, and why — even slow progress—is still progress.

Read on…

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Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them—and I’m sure by now, we’ve all experienced that. But what do you do when one of those curveballs hits harder than you ever imagined?

I truly believe life tests us on purpose. Every small inconvenience, every unexpected challenge, and every major setback—they’re not just random. They shape us. These moments force us to look within ourselves and ask, What now? That’s when growth happens. Not when things are easy, but when we’re pushed past what we thought we could handle.

You see, resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s built over time. You earn it through the struggles you endure and the choices you make in response. It’s in those quiet moments where you’re tempted to give up, but you don’t. Don’t give up! It’s in the decision to try again, to keep showing up, and to keep moving forward—one step at a time.

And here’s the thing: the more you face these moments head-on, the more prepared you become. You learn, adapt and grow. So the next time life hits you with something unexpected, you won’t panic—you’ll respond with experience, strength, and clarity.

This is how we build our armor. Not by avoiding the hard stuff, but by facing it and coming out stronger on the other side. Here’s what to do when you feel like giving up!

Make it to the next meal.

Back in Basic Training, everyone was shook. You could see it in their faces—the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what was coming next. We were all a bunch of young adults, fresh out of high school or early in life, and suddenly thrown into something completely unfamiliar. You could feel the tension in the air. Most of us were thinking the same thing: “What the heck did I get myself into?”

Being yelled at by grown men while I was just 19 hit me harder than I expected. It was intense, overwhelming, and honestly, kind of traumatizing at first. Sure, over time you get used to the structure, the discipline, and the noise—but those first few days or even weeks? No joke.

The entire purpose of Basic Training is to break you down and then build you back up. It’s about reshaping you into someone who can meet the military standard—mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s designed to strip away the old version of you and start forming the version that can function in the military’s way of life.

I remember one day, our BMT squadron commander came in to talk to us. He had a calm energy about him—chill and laid-back, which was rare in that environment. He gave a long speech, but what stuck with me the most were these words:

“Don’t think about graduation just yet—it’s eight weeks away. Think about making it to the next meal.”

At the time, I heard him, but it didn’t fully click. I just nodded like everyone else, ready to move on. But later, those words hit me differently. I realized what he was really saying.

When you’re overwhelmed and everything feels impossible, the worst thing you can do is focus too far ahead. Thinking about the end goal—graduation, eight weeks of training, the whole picture—can feel like too much. It can mentally break you before you’ve even started.

But if you break it down—just focus on getting to the next meal, the next training block, the next hour—it becomes manageable. You stop drowning in the big picture and start building small wins. And over time, those small wins stack up.

Before you know it, you’re no longer trying to survive the day—you’re thriving in it. And then one day, you look back and realize how far you’ve come.

That mindset has stuck with me well beyond Basic. Whether it’s military life, civilian transitions, personal goals, or just rough days in general—sometimes, you don’t need to think about the finish line. You just need to make it to the next meal.

How would you feel a week/month/year after?

Let’s be honest—we’ve all quit something at least a few times in our lives. And if you haven’t, that’s seriously impressive… I’d love to know your secret.

One thing I’ve discovered for myself is this: whenever I feel like giving up, I try to fast-forward in my mind and think about how I’ll feel after making that decision. I ask myself, How will I feel a week from now if I quit today?

The answer? Honestly, probably fine. Maybe even relieved. But then I ask, How will I feel a month from now? That’s when the doubt starts creeping in. And when I think about a year from now—I already know the answer: regret. That’s why you shouldn’t quit!

Because here’s the truth—time keeps moving, whether we quit or keep going. Find your motivation that made you start, and see why you ever started. A year from now, I could either be proud of how far I’ve come, or disappointed that I gave up when things got tough. That thought alone is usually enough to push me through.

So when you’re tempted to quit, pause and think about your future self. Will you thank yourself for stopping… or for pushing through?

Final thoughts.

I’ve shared some things that work for me, but your path might look different—and that’s okay. You probably have your own methods or personal mindset hacks that help you push through tough times. Whatever they are, hold onto them.

For me, pushing through the hard times has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s what allowed me to hit goals I once thought were out of reach.

At the end of the day, it’s not about doing things perfectly—it’s about not giving up when it gets hard. That’s where real growth happens.

Stay Connected!

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Got a question, want to share your own experience, or just want to connect? Head over to the “Contact Me” page—I’m always open to hearing from you and happy to help however I can.

Next Thursday’s post: “Military Separation: What No One Tells You” — don’t miss it.

If today’s post spoke to you or helped in any way, consider sharing it with someone who might need it too. Whether you read, comment, or pass it along—your support means more than you know. It helps this blog grow and reach others who are looking for honest, real-world insight into military life.

Thanks for reading—and for being part of this journey with me.

Very Respectfully,
Vlad Kalinin