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What is the most discouraging thing you've tried that actually ended up succeeding in?

Was it worth it in the end? Did it inspire you to persevere more in the future?
SW-User
Recently...trying to start a fire with a knife and flint while everyone said I couldn't do it and laughed at my attempts. I got the last laugh when I DID do it....It took over an hour, but I did it, lol. And NOW I can do it quickly because I've learned about the best things to use for tinder. That was my problem the first time. Yes, it inspired me in a few ways. For one thing, I learned to trust my gut. I wanted to use one thing for tinder and everyone else told me to use something else. In the end, what I wanted to use in the first place is what lit. Secondly, I learned that I'm a stubborn person. Despite bloody knuckles and a bunch of laughing asshats, I was the only one who managed to make a fire. So, it was good and it's an important skill to have.
mic11225 · 26-30, M
I believe only people like you will be capable of doing anything worth anything because you're willing to deal with suffering
SW-User
@mic11225: Thanks. I've certainly faced more than my share of suffering. It is interesting though, the timing of that "small" success gave me the determination to face some much bigger battles.
CheshireCatalyst · 36-40, M
Finishing my degree even though I was completely done with education after my first year and failed the second. I redid some work, put more effort into third year but I was still shocked when I passed.
mic11225 · 26-30, M
That's impressive. I want to know why it is people can tolerate things like that. I find that for me I can only do it when I have no other choices.
CheshireCatalyst · 36-40, M
@mic11225: that was pretty much how I worked the whole time. I'd sit and play games, hang out with friends and my girlfriend...then on deadline day I'd stay up all night and do entire assignments.
Football. Sure, it was worth it... I had a great time.
SW-User
@tiffanyandasaltshaker: Oh 🙄
@mic11225: Whaaaat? No way! I'm guessing North Cali? Socal is where it gets intense...
mic11225 · 26-30, M
@tiffanyandasaltshaker: yeah I'm from North California. Pretty much the outskirts of sacremento if you wanna get specific. And I figured you mightve been from Socal since you're right about that xD.
AliceInBlunderland · 36-40, F
Publically quitting the cult for a religion I was strictly raised into and being true to myself regardless of the cost. It hurt a lot but it was worth it and I have no regrets.
mic11225 · 26-30, M
glad to hear it. :) and that's certainly brave of you. It's not something I would do. I'm just not a confrontational person.
AliceInBlunderland · 36-40, F
@mic11225: I wouldn't call it brave. I just happen to fear dealing with regret even more. I'm not generally confrontational either, I just had to do what I felt was right given the circumstances and running away from my life wasn't it. My life is difficult enough as is without having to deal with regret for the rest of my life.
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
After my mother threw away my 364 pages of notes for my Master's thesis, I had to spend months recompiling the notes. (She put them in the dumpster at 6:30 AM minutes before the trash pickup, then waited with a smile on her face for me to wake up and miss them). I missed the graduation, had an embarrassing conversation with my thesis advisor, stayed in the program and months later, I had new notes to work from and I wrote my thesis, got the degree.
mic11225 · 26-30, M
ummm why on earth would she do that? o_o
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
@mic11225: It had to do with a group she belonged to; they did not want me to get a college degree.

(For all the details you can read my full story under the group heading: I Wan To Know The Truth Behind My Family's Lies and Secrets)
PaulMcCartney · 26-30, F
Dancing. I got put in ballet classes for 9 years and I ended up really liking it and being the best dancer out of the people I knew.

 
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