“Put mental health first, because, if you don’t, you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it’s ok sometimes to even sit out of the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong you really are.” – Simone Biles
Quick recap
For those who have abstained from media the last 48 hours; after a rocky vault performance, Simone Biles stepped away from the Olympic arena, and returned in her warm-ups, stating she was withdrawing for the day to take care of her mental health.
She did, in fact, note that she was not physically injured. This is important. We’re going to come back to this.
The internet has not been particularly kind to Simone Biles for this decision, calling her a “quitter”, stating she is “disappointing her country” and “not representing the flag”. We’re here to say, this act is quite the contrary.
Simone Biles is demonstrating an outstanding example of self-care and inner work, and furthermore, reminding us that quitting is not an act of failure.
Let me say that one more time; quitting is not an act of failure.
I’m not sure where this idea began that “quitters never win” and that quitting is the ultimate act of losing, failing, so on and so forth. When did we decide that quitting had to be synonymous with failure?
I may be in the minority, but I am constantly working with folks on quitting things that are no longer serving them. And furthermore, walking away after quitting something feeling accomplished and proud of the decisions that were made.
But you see, this becomes a layered and complex issue. We have become so programmed to correlate tangible accomplishments with our value, it is increasingly hard to walk away, even if it is the best thing for us.
What if I am no longer valuable after leaving this relationship, this job, this role, etc? What if I have to replace it with something else in order to maintain my value to others? What will others say or think? Sound familiar?
Think about it – quitting your job is often met with questions about income, health insurance, retirement, bonuses – all tangible things. But what if our job is completely depleting our mental health? What if our job is burning us out to the point we aren’t able to enjoy a single thing in our personal life? Sure, we can’t necessarily quantify that, but that does not mean it is not there.
Simone Biles made a point to state that she was not physically hurt.
I don’t think this was without intent. Somehow, a physical injury that can be quantified and discussed in depth feels like permission to take a break. While as a society, we are not totally there yet with mental health, that does not mean it is not also the case.
Your mental health is a reason to say no.
Your mental health is a reason to walk away.
Your mental health is a reason to quit.
Back to the quote up top, “it’s ok sometimes to even sit out of the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong you really are”. Even with a gold medal on the line, one of the highest tangible pieces of accomplishment in our country, Simone Biles knew she had to take a seat. If this doesn’t give you permission to take a seat, I’m not sure what will.
So, thank you Simone Biles
Thank you for doing the hard inner work it takes to make a decision of this magnitude.
Thank you for reminding us that we still maintain our skills and talents, even if they are not on display.
Thank you for reminding us that being a “winner” goes beyond a tangible medal.
Thank you for living for what is right and best for you, and not for those around you.
I hope every single person reading this can take a piece of this with them, and have the courage to say “no” today.
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