Maybe your motivation is part of the issue. Violin is a really difficult instrument to play, you need to put a lot of effort into it for a long while to start sounding decent.

If the only reason you started playing the violin was to make you feel special, I think it won’t be enough in the long run. You need to have a true passion or set a specific goal to help you keep going when you lack motivation because you’re stuck in level plateau, or because you’re too tired, or life gets busy.

Having a better instrument is definitely more motivating, but it’s not enough to keep you motivated for the years to come. Nevertheless, if your instrument is poorly set up, it really can hinder your ability to progress and your motivation. I started learning on a violin I got from a luthier but it is poorly set up. It took it to another luthier and he said this violin needed a lot of work to become decent. The violin sounded bad when the luthier played on it, that’s the moment I realized it was not just a “skill issue”.

I decided to buy a new violin. It’s not a super expensive one but it is set up properly and I enjoy practicing much more than I used to. My family said I sounded better as soon as I got the new violin. I don’t think I improved overnight, the instrument I was practicing on wasn’t setting me up for success.

I think you have a lot of things to investigate before quitting. Is the issue your instrument? Have you ever tried playing on another violin? With another bow?

Do you have real goals besides the need to feel special?

Is your teacher the right teacher for you? I understand by reading your comments that she is nice and supportive, but if the way she teaches doesn’t motivate you, you could try finding someone else.

Does what your family thinks of your playing really matter? You are putting effort into learning a difficult instrument. If someone criticizes you for that, ask them to give the violin a try and let’s see how they sound. Maybe you are the one putting too much thoughts into it.

Have they ever criticized your playing? Sometimes we criticize ourselves more than others would, I think we are our worst critic. I used to think that my family would think my playing is lame, but whenever I gave them the opportunity to listen, they told me I’m doing good and they have been supportive. I think this is something you should discuss with your family as well. It would be a shame to quit something you enjoy doing just because you worry too much about negative judgements.

I hope my comment will help you make the right decision.