I quit being an engineer. I originally thought (and was told at length by well-meaning others) that all of that schooling and hard work was for nothing. But hindsight showed me that just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should. I am now facing into that same predicament again, and choosing my peace and my joy continues to be a struggle with money and comfort are on the line. Great piece. I desperately needed this permission slip.
I found my dream job that I could retire from, with the best manager of my life and an incredible team. Then we were acquired, two years later. The new company doesn’t understand what I do (a very niche knowledge worker skill set ) and treats us all like garbage. As much as it pains me to leave the team I have, they gave me a rotten new manager and split up my team. Then they changed my job to something I would never apply to do. After a year of chaos, I resigned but with advanced notice so that I could lessen the trauma to my beloved team. The new company didn’t fill the role, because chaos and incompetence prevailed. I job hunted like a crazy person for 4 months and never landed anything which is CRAZY because I’m usually head hunted. My agreed upon last day is May 30th and they panicked that they haven’t hired anyone and the one other person with some semblance of my experience is going on family leave soon. So they asked me yesterday if I would “like” to stay 3 more months. Without hesitation, I said “no.” And it was the most satisfying No I have ever uttered. I despise this company and the job, and the management and as insane as it sounds to some people to walk away from a 6 figure job, I am doing it. I have a nice F.U. bank account for the first time in my life and while I do need to do something for income in the near future, I am feeling really good about saying No.
I quit bedside nursing…and nursing management. Both times I felt like I was admitting defeat. I grew up in a single, immigrant parent household and I wanted to prove that I could be successful despite our struggles. But I was burned out and quite literally getting sick, so I took the leap and switched cities and fields without leaving nursing entirely, and I’ve never felt more at peace. Knowing when to quit is so important! Thanks for sharing.
I quit being a doctor. It's been the best thing for my mental health but it's been tough to regain my confidence after such a horrendous first year as one. I wouldn't go back but I do miss the idea of having a good income but I suppose on reflection what I have now is much more valulable than any pay check. It's been five and a half years since I quit and I'm doing much better albeit not where I want to be yet.
I just "quit" my YouTube channel with 38,000 subscribers & have also quit being a dentist. I resonate a lot with what you talk about in your newsletter, so much so that it's in my recommendations :)
I feel like this runs contrary to all the stories from the most successful people who just tell you how much they worked hard and stuck with it to find fame or fortune. You don't hear all the stories of the people who failed after doing the same thing or those that realized they didn't want that in the first place. Keeping your hand on the stove after it starts to burn isn't grit, it's stupid. Quitting is part of the process. The key, to your point, is taking the quiet times to remember what you really want in the first place.
From childhood things are framed to us as binary, a world of on and off switches. Now that I'm old, I see there was nuance everywhere that I missed and decisions I could have made that weren't so bruising.
I quit being an engineer. I originally thought (and was told at length by well-meaning others) that all of that schooling and hard work was for nothing. But hindsight showed me that just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should. I am now facing into that same predicament again, and choosing my peace and my joy continues to be a struggle with money and comfort are on the line. Great piece. I desperately needed this permission slip.
I found my dream job that I could retire from, with the best manager of my life and an incredible team. Then we were acquired, two years later. The new company doesn’t understand what I do (a very niche knowledge worker skill set ) and treats us all like garbage. As much as it pains me to leave the team I have, they gave me a rotten new manager and split up my team. Then they changed my job to something I would never apply to do. After a year of chaos, I resigned but with advanced notice so that I could lessen the trauma to my beloved team. The new company didn’t fill the role, because chaos and incompetence prevailed. I job hunted like a crazy person for 4 months and never landed anything which is CRAZY because I’m usually head hunted. My agreed upon last day is May 30th and they panicked that they haven’t hired anyone and the one other person with some semblance of my experience is going on family leave soon. So they asked me yesterday if I would “like” to stay 3 more months. Without hesitation, I said “no.” And it was the most satisfying No I have ever uttered. I despise this company and the job, and the management and as insane as it sounds to some people to walk away from a 6 figure job, I am doing it. I have a nice F.U. bank account for the first time in my life and while I do need to do something for income in the near future, I am feeling really good about saying No.
I quit bedside nursing…and nursing management. Both times I felt like I was admitting defeat. I grew up in a single, immigrant parent household and I wanted to prove that I could be successful despite our struggles. But I was burned out and quite literally getting sick, so I took the leap and switched cities and fields without leaving nursing entirely, and I’ve never felt more at peace. Knowing when to quit is so important! Thanks for sharing.
I quit being a doctor. It's been the best thing for my mental health but it's been tough to regain my confidence after such a horrendous first year as one. I wouldn't go back but I do miss the idea of having a good income but I suppose on reflection what I have now is much more valulable than any pay check. It's been five and a half years since I quit and I'm doing much better albeit not where I want to be yet.
I quit my startup to start a coaching business. Your story resonates. Make sure the mountain you climb is the right one! Thanks for sharing.
Cheers to all the brave quitters 🥂🎉
I just "quit" my YouTube channel with 38,000 subscribers & have also quit being a dentist. I resonate a lot with what you talk about in your newsletter, so much so that it's in my recommendations :)
I feel like this runs contrary to all the stories from the most successful people who just tell you how much they worked hard and stuck with it to find fame or fortune. You don't hear all the stories of the people who failed after doing the same thing or those that realized they didn't want that in the first place. Keeping your hand on the stove after it starts to burn isn't grit, it's stupid. Quitting is part of the process. The key, to your point, is taking the quiet times to remember what you really want in the first place.
Love this! Also I just realized you're over here on substack how exciting :)
From childhood things are framed to us as binary, a world of on and off switches. Now that I'm old, I see there was nuance everywhere that I missed and decisions I could have made that weren't so bruising.