I quit college. I was studying architecture for about a year.

Host:
The room was bathed in soft, fading light from the window, the world outside growing quieter as the evening approached. Jack sat on the couch, a notebook open in front of him, but his gaze was elsewhere, lost in thought. Jeeny, sitting across from him, had been flipping through the pages of a book, but her attention seemed to have drifted, too. There was a quiet, almost contemplative stillness in the air, as if something unsaid was waiting to find its voice.

Jeeny:
(She speaks softly, breaking the silence, her voice curious and gentle.)
“I came across a quote by Barry Mann today. He said, ‘I quit college. I was studying architecture for about a year.’ It made me think about the paths we take, and how sometimes we can leave something behind, even if it’s something we once thought we wanted. Do you think quitting something — like college or a career path — can be a step toward finding something more meaningful?”

Jack:
(He looks up, his expression thoughtful, though a hint of skepticism lingers in his voice.)
“Quitting college? That’s a big move, especially when you’ve already invested time and effort into something. I get that it might not always feel right, but doesn’t quitting something you’ve committed to kind of feel like giving up? How do you know when walking away is the right decision, and not just avoiding hard work or failure?”

Jeeny:
(She leans back, her voice calm and considerate.)
“Quitting something doesn’t always mean giving up, Jack. Sometimes, it’s about realizing that what you’re doing isn’t aligned with who you are or where you want to go. Barry Mann’s decision to quit studying architecture may have been a way to redirect his energy into something else, something more fulfilling. It’s not about failure — it’s about recognizing that the journey isn’t always linear. We can start down one path and then realize it’s not the right one for us. Quitting can be an act of clarity, not weakness.”

Jack:
(He looks down at the notebook, his voice more reflective now, though still unsure.)
“I guess I see what you mean. But there’s a difference between changing course and just quitting something because it’s tough. It’s easy to walk away from things when they get hard. But what happens when you regret quitting something, or feel like you didn’t give it enough of a chance?”

Jeeny:
(She smiles softly, her voice reassuring, like she’s trying to guide him to a deeper understanding.)
“Quitting something doesn’t always have to be a decision made in haste, Jack. It’s about understanding your own needs and growth. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to walk away from something that no longer serves you. The key is in how you view the decision — is it a temporary exit or a way to create space for something that truly excites you? Regret doesn’t always follow a well-thought-out decision. Sometimes it’s part of the process of figuring out what’s truly meant for you.”

Jack:
(He nods slowly, considering her words, his tone softening.)
“Yeah, I see that now. It’s like when you realize you’re heading in the wrong direction, even after you’ve already committed to it. Sometimes, quitting isn’t about failure — it’s about learning what doesn’t work, so you can move toward what does. It’s just hard not to feel like you’ve wasted time or given up on something.”

Jeeny:
(She gently leans forward, her voice gentle, but with a quiet wisdom.)
“Time isn’t wasted if it teaches you something. Every experience, every choice — even the ones we leave behind — adds to who we are. Quitting something that doesn’t serve you isn’t failure. It’s simply a way to make space for growth, to shift gears and head in the direction you’re meant to go. There’s no shame in walking away from something that no longer fits.”

Host:
The conversation lingers in the room, the weight of their words settling in a place of quiet understanding. Jack and Jeeny sit together in the space between doubt and clarity, each contemplating the value of choices — both the ones we stick with and the ones we choose to walk away from. The world outside continues its steady rhythm, but inside, there’s a sense of realization: quitting isn’t always about giving up, it’s about making room for the things that truly align with who we are becoming.