To stop doing a long-time sport or not to

[ShunterAlhena]

Hi all,

I have a semi-tough decision to make, and I'd like to ask for your insights. I recently read Steve's book to the end (I was digesting it very slowly) and I think my decision is the correct one, but my application is Authority is not yet perfect.

I've been doing Karate for five years now. The first two were a miracle, the skinny inconfident socially inept 15-year-old boy I was transformed into a less-skinny, much more confident and outgoing personality and for that I feel very grateful. However, it started declining in the third year - people came, people left, I didn't attend ALL the get-togethers (three trainings a week plus a competition or some other stuff in the weekend) because I preferred my "own" friends, school, and work. The sport club became one company with a few "core" people and more on the "fringes"; needless to say, I'm on the outer shell. I very much dislike being an outsider, and this is what I currently am there, still because I spend my time elsewhere. A negative spiral: the less time you spend with a company, the less you'll be "inside" and the less motivation you'll have to spend time with them.

I decided to stop going once, but the five years I spent with them (and the sport itself) drew me back. Nothing changed very much, and I estimate it'd take anywhere from three months to a year to get myself "accepted" back. Problem is, I'm moving so commute time will increase, I now have a steady girlfriend with whom we'll attend dance training, and work is becoming more and more important.

However my key reasons to stay are still the five years' worth of training that I don't want to toss out of the window. Beside that I don't really feel attached to the people any more, and a recent episode where the father of one girl died and her dear "girl friends" from the club didn't even call her made me question the level of commitment they share at all.

Thanks if you chewed yourself through this monstrosity.

Any advice? I lean towards leaving for good, maintaining contact with the few people who I really became friends with (including this girl).

Thanks
Balint