A few weeks ago, I was watching a Netflix series—I won’t name it, but it had “Apple” in the title and was about a con artist—when it hit me: I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. The plot was full of holes, despite being based on a true story. The acting was over-the-top, but not in a fun way. I’d already sunk four hours into it, though, so I hesitated to give up. But with two more episodes left, I finally shut my laptop and rubbed my eyes. Life’s too short for bad TV.

Lately, I’ve been catching myself when I’m not enjoying something and just walking away, even if I’ve already invested time in it. I dropped Dying for Sex two episodes before the end—that Michelle Williams drama started strong but got so bleak I could barely watch. Same with You—the first two seasons were fun, but then it spiraled into Riverdale-level absurdity. I used to force myself to finish things, at least until the story wrapped up. Now? I’d rather focus on my own life.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not advocating for giving up too soon. Some of my favorite shows, like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Industry, or Succession, took time to click. Even Daisy Jones & The Six started off feeling like trash before turning into one of the best anti-love stories I’ve seen (okay, slight exaggeration). But when something feels like a real slog, it probably is. There’s no trophy for sticking with something that brings you zero joy.

This mindset applies beyond TV, too. Recently, I left a party after 40 minutes because I just wasn’t feeling it. I’ve walked out of restaurants after sitting down because the menu didn’t appeal to me. I’ve donated books halfway through because they bored me. Persistence can pay off, but there’s no shame in cutting your losses and redirecting your energy.

Quitting used to make me feel guilty, but now it feels freeing. It’s not failure—it’s a reminder that I have choices. Whether it’s bailing on a bad date, leaving a movie early, or skipping the finale of a show that’s lost its spark, walking away is just an act of reclaiming your time. Even if it’s just a Netflix series. Even if you’ve already watched hours of it. Even if, let’s be honest, it’s just not that good.