The Case for Quitting: The Surprising Benefits of Opting Out

by Lindsay Crouse

In a world that prizes persistence, acclaimed journalist Lindsay Crouse offers a radical strategy for getting what we want: Quit.

We live in a society that champions perseverance, sweat, and tenacity no matter the cost. But what if our relentlessness results in failure, sunken costs, and poor health, rather than success, happiness, and vitality?

An endurance athlete and 15-year veteran of the New York Times, Crouse explores stories from across our lives—work, relationships, and broader goals—to argue that when perseverance turns against us, quitting isn’t just a way out. Often, it’s the first step to something better. A pivot. A break. A chance to go further—or be free.

She delves into the science of perseverance versus walking away from aspects of our lives, and relays a diverse blend of compelling personal stories, historical examples, and psychological insights—from the origins of the self-help genre to Bear Bryant’s “hell camp” to the Finnish concept of sisu, resilience—to answer such questions as:
• When is it time to let go of unproductive efforts?
• How does quitting make new opportunities?
• When are relationships growing and when are they just a dangerous rut?

For anyone at a crossroads in their personal or professional lives, The Case for Quitting is a groundbreaking guide that ruptures our core beliefs. Career seekers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone exploring new opportunities or feeling stuck in unproductive routines will appreciate its insights on the courage and strategy involved in quitting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Audiobook, Business

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2026

About the author

Lindsay Crouse is an author, producer, and journalist. For more than 14 years, she was an editor, writer and producer at The New York Times, where her Emmy-nominated work on women’s sports brought widespread change to the industry, including maternity protections for pregnant athletes. In the Times’s Opinion section, she wrote and commissioned widely read essays and produced hundreds of short documentaries, including the Times's first Academy Award-winning film. A life-long competitive distance runner, she graduated from Harvard College, and lives in New York City with her family.

Reviews

[Seawitch]

In a culture that highly values grit and perseverance, quitting (a job, a race, a marriage) can often be seen as failure.

Lindsay Crouse - a journalist and competitive runner - provides a counter argument to blind determination and stick-to-it-tiveness. Through personal and other anecdotes and a summary of research she outlines a compelling case for when making a change is the best decision for both happiness and success. In fact, she argues that sometimes we can stay too long trying to push through obstacles when we’d be much better off abandoning the pursuit and taking a new path.

There are a lot of sports stories shared in this book which for me as a non-athlete were less interesting, but also plenty of illustrations of her points in relation to professional and personal decisions about changing course and finding happiness in a new direction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tiffany]

I'm quitting this book. It's a facile pep talk, and I find the occasional usage of superficial cause and effect examples particularly irritating. Lots of better entries in this category of self help. If this had been my first read on the topic of quitting, perhaps it would have been a good introduction.

[Carla Jack]

I’m in my Paul McCartney shearing sheep in Scotland phase of life

[Emily]

I heard about this book and was intrigued. It seems there are a number of books lately arguing against the typical grit, grind and persevere culture. I also knew of Lindsey Crouse’s work in the NY Times, specifically around issues with unfair treatment of female athletes, so was optimistic about this book.

Alas, if I hadn’t received an advance copy from NetGalley, I may have DNF’d this book. But I felt obligated to keep going in order to provide a review.

Overall, I’m on board with the message of this book. Too often we persevere beyond the point that it makes sense in various areas of our lives. I am certainly guilty of this. But I struggled to stay interested in this book beyond the first several chapters. This was clearly a well researched book, with lots of supporting evidence and anecdotes to back up points. In fact, I think the main flaw is that there was too much packed into it. We got the message from the outset, and then it just kept going and going. It felt like a long magazine article that turned into a book. I would have preferred a narrative structure that fleshed out a smaller number of personal stories more fully, and fewer citations, quotations, etc.

This book may read differently to someone for whom these concepts are brand new, and it’s not that I feel this is a bad book in any way. It’s just not for me.

[Tina Panik]

An insightful look at how we misjudge our own success, and how subtle changes can improve our outlook—and progress.

[Anna Rollins]

I recently made a big quit. I shared the details that led to that decision with a professional I respect very much. After I spoke for some time, she looked at me and said, “it took more strength to quit than it did to push through.” Her words have continued to serve as such a gift to me. And this book felt like an extension of her insight. I particularly loved the chapter on quitting like a man. Highly recommend.

[Mirela]

Another book in the increasingly crowded “rethinking the grind” genre, but a more compelling one than many others thanks to its strong writing, persuasive argument, and good mix of examples and stories. The distinction between quitting and failure is worthwhile, and there are a couple of ideas here that genuinely felt new to me even as someone who is pretty deeply steeped in this life philosophy / practice (e.g., the analysis of differences in endurance and associated perseverance penalty between men and women; the discussion of visibility v. success).

That said, the main argument has been made before, and there’s nothing here that felt truly groundbreaking or particularly original. I also found the heavy reliance on celebrity examples a bit odd; for a book making a broader argument about how we approach work and life, I would have preferred more relatable examples with real-life tradeoffs.

Overall, thoughtful, well executed, and worth reading, but—particularly for readers who are well-read in this genre—not quite as revelatory as the premise suggests.

[Rachel Hutter]

The Case for Quitting will help you discover areas of your life where you are self-righteously persisting with things that are no longer serving you whether they be jobs, relationships or activities. Lindsay has a non-judgmental way of sharing stories and data that allowed me to examine my life objectively. We all have situations where we would be happy and healthier if we quit, but we are sticking with something out of either habit or pride. This book is a great catalyst to find those things that are draining our energy and quit them.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly highly recommend this book.

[Aoi Sasaki]

I found The Case for Quitting to be a thought-provoking read. I liked the idea that quitting isn’t necessarily failure, and that sometimes walking away can take more courage than simply pushing through. Crouse supports her argument with research, personal stories, and examples from work, relationships, and sport. While I agreed with the main message, I did feel that it became a little repetitive at times. Still, it made me reflect on the things we continue simply because we’ve already invested so much in them—and whether sometimes letting go is actually the healthier choice.

[Mariah]

I came away with more than most books in the genre leave me with. Can't say that it was life changing but it did prompt me to have some newer self reflections.

I like the angle, but I would have enjoyed hearing even more about the people who didn't immediately come out better after taking a break (or quitting) since that's what we fear. I listened to this audiobook while in my own "fallow period" so it resonated with me strongly

[Sheila]

The title of the book says it all..just kidding. The author gives real world examples of how quitting can have great consequences of moving you further in both happiness and other goals you didn't even know was possible. Anyone thinking of quitting their job or punishing their body will find alot to like about the stories.

[Katrina]

Highly readable and well researched. A perfect read for anyone contemplating making a change but struggling with pulling the trigger on a new path.

Thank you to HarperOne and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #TheCaseforQuitting #NetGalley

[Tina]

3.5 Libby

[Elaine Stock]

Quite a unique book to make one ponder when is the right time to move on from a once-upon-a-time dream/goal. The author offers many insights into choosing change--or not--without judgment.

[Jo]

I heard the author on a podcast I listen to. The message of the book is good. But the writing style wasn't for me. I started skimming about half way through. She does give some good advice.

[poier]

as a transgender woman, a book about the profound benefits of quitting resonated with me.