Hello @penflecto. Whatever problem you are facing right now, I want you to know that you are seen and appreciated by this community. First off, thank you for being brave enough to share what most people keep buried. It takes guts to express what you're going through, and that alone is something to be proud of.

You're asking if suffering is required to win. The truth is, suffering doesn’t guarantee a win but growth often walks hand-in-hand with struggle. The important thing is knowing when to push and when to pause. And you’re not giving up by resting. If a one year pause will allow you to heal, then take it. Healing is not wasted time. Even the strongest warriors take breaks. You don’t owe anyone your suffering just to prove your worth because your peace matters as well as your healing. And believe it or not, there's no shame in disappearing for a while if that’s what your soul needs. It might just be the beginning of your comeback story.

And by the way, quitting everything may not be the answer. Maybe you don't need to quit, you just need to reconnect with your passions in a different way. Instead of chasing achievement, try experiencing joy again in those things. Play chess for fun, not to win. Read for comfort, not to finish a book.
You're not useless, @penflecto. This community is here for you. You’re seen so keep writing even if it's messy.
This advice is quite long but if you read it till the end, we just want you to know that we’re rooting for you. 💙