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So, I left my job.
Form an orderly line if you plan on reading me the Riot Act as to why this is a bad idea. I know. I’m aware of all the reasons, and I completely agree that it’s not necessarily the most prudent move for a person in my age bracket.
But, why did I do it? And why, more importantly, do I feel alright about it? These are questions. And, fortunately, I have answers.
I fucking hated my job.
That’s where I’ll start. I want to be very specific on this point and make sure that you know that it was the job, or MOS in military speak, and not the company that I hated. The company is a fine, privately-held corporation that is in pole position in its industry. I hated my role, though. It was time to leave, ergo, I did.
The hours were long. The money was non-existent. It simply, honestly, wasn’t happening. Yet, I looked for any and every reason to stay because I have a big heart and possess no business savvy.
So where am I now? Well, I’m interviewing. I’m talking to two Fortune-500 companies for pretty awesome jobs in the recruiting space. I’m also scared shitless because my ex-Army roommate is going to shoot my ass when I can’t pay rent a few weeks from now. Honestly, I can’t blame him. Oh, and he has multiple assault rifles. Big ones.
The thing is, I did what I needed to do to find a bit of solace and not endure the worst Sunday Scaries known to man, anymore.
I’m confident. I’m employable. I have a vocation. I will have a job (probably tomorrow #fingerscrossed), but it still sucks and I know I’m not the only dude out in the free part of the world that’s gone through this.
So, here I am. I’m tap-spinning inside a vicious vortex that I threw myself inside of. I don’t claim to be the bannerman for a generation of lost, afflicted souls. I’m not that brazen. I do, however, think I understand a thing or two about the slings and arrows of navigating the minefield that is Corporate America.
I will be be fine. You will be fine. We will all be fine. The sun shall rise tomorrow and unicorns will fart rainbows. It’s science. I do, however, hope that all of you stay on a steady path that affords you comfort and allows you to vacation each year to the beach of your choosing (I’m an OBX guy).
The moral of all this: It’s an inexact science. It’s not linear. It takes failure and missteps to really get things figured out. Have faith in yourself. Have faith in the tens, nay, hundreds of thousands of dollars that your awesome parents invested in your education. We all, at some point, will be in a place where we can afford the white picket fence, loaded Jeep Cherokee and yellow lab named “Hank.”
Carry on, my wayward friends. Grab onto your will and wind. Don’t let the man get you down and, in the meantime, shoot any of your spare change to ihopemyroommatedoesntshootme.com@fuckmylife.com because I’ll need it.
Maholo..
Respond
I’ve left a job before I had another lined up, too. You’ll be fine.
As someone who hates their job, and wants to desperately leave without having another lined up, this article is very welcome.
One of my favorite quotes: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Sometimes you just need to step back, take a breath, and be free before you try to really figure it out. I’m quitting my job in October to go live in Australia for 6-12 months and I have NO idea what I’m going to do there or when I return…but part of the fun is figuring it out. Good luck to you!
How does HappyAndHomeless feel about this?
Hey man, we live in NoVa. You’ll have a job in no time.
Come on over, the Reston Town Center is just fine
Pretttttttty much. Arlington and Alexandria have unemployment rates in the 3% figure. If anything, that’s around when employers start facing employee shortages, and have to start offering crazy packages to attract/retain talent.
Throwing yourself out there by quitting your job like that will make you stronger. Sometimes you gotta get a little uncomfortable. This is how you grow as a person and don’t end up like that waiter who’s worked at the same restaurant for half his life.
Quits job, market dives next day.
Idk if I can be as bold as you. But as someone stuck in a job they find completely unbearable, to the point of it making them physically ill on Sunday nights, I needed this. Thanks.
I never understand the quit my job and hope for the best route. You mention long hours, but was there anything to actually prevent you from procuring another job while maintaining your current job until you can safely quit (i.e. – and not risk defaulting on your financial obligations)? Honestly, what the fuck?
But PostGradDad, I needed to ‘find myself.’ It was an emotional journey, okay?
God, I’m such a fucking dad…Seriously fuck this guy with a rusty tire iron, though.
I’m no supporter of kendra, but if she wrote this article, people would tear her apart for it. Leaving your job like this is just stupid, even if you hate it.
My former roommate quit her full-time job while we lived together, without knowing what she was going to do next. She ended up not needing her UCLA degree when she got a position as a hair salon receptionist (not that there’s anything wrong with that, if that’s your thing). I’ve left jobs I hated too, but I always had something else lined up. Good luck!
-TwentyinLA.Com
Stop doing that.