Tenacity – The Refusal to Quit Today

In early sobriety, there were so many nights I wanted to quit. I wanted to stay down. I wanted to go back to drinking just to numb the pain and silence the noise in my head.

But here’s the truth: tenacity isn’t about feeling strong or having a master plan. It’s not about roaring back. Tenacity is quieter. It’s about refusing to quit today, even when everything in you wants to give up.

We all know what it feels like to be knocked flat. Maybe you’ve worked at a company for 35 years, only to be told one morning that you’re no longer needed. Now you’re staring down your 60s, drained your 401k just to stay afloat, and wondering what the hell you’re going to do next. Or maybe your spouse passed away. Maybe you’re battling an illness that leaves you exhausted before the day even begins.

Tenacity shows up in these moments, not as a comeback story, but in the decision not to give up today.

• It’s putting your feet on the floor even when the grief is unbearable.

• It’s sending out one job application even though you want to crawl back into bed.

• It’s choosing to take your medication, or eat something, or walk around the block when it would be easier to do nothing.

That was me in sobriety. The cravings were brutal. I’d pace my house until 2am, aching for alcohol, so tired I couldn’t think straight. The only thing that saved me was knowing I couldn’t buy booze after 2am in Michigan. So I’d drive to Meijer and wander the aisles just to be around people. I didn’t want to talk,I just needed to feel connected, even in silence.

Those weren’t heroic moments. But every time I chose to keep moving, I woke up with a small win. Some days, that “win” was as simple as brushing my teeth. Sounds lame? Maybe. But when you’re in a battle with yourself, brushing your teeth can be an act of survival.

That’s tenacity. Not about never wanting to quit, but about refusing to.

So if life has just knocked the wind out of you, don’t wait for a big plan or some burst of motivation. Listen for the quiet voice that says just keep moving. One step, one decision, one day at a time.

Because tenacity isn’t loud,it’s stubborn. And it’s enough to carry you through until tomorrow.