The ability to leave a situation you’re not making better is a very good skill to cultivate.
We often don’t. We double-down, we waste time, we throw good money after bad. We stick out a bad conversation or a bad relationship. We relentlessly keep arguing with our bosses or we stay at a party we aren’t enjoying. Modern humans are terrible at just leaving.
But many times, that’s the best thing for everyone. It’s not abandonment if you were making the situation worse, and sometimes we need to just recognize that. And it’s always better to save your energy for what matters.
The Opportunity Machine 