I have no intention of quitting my job so soon after returning from Red Mountain Resort. Except, the words from the shaman and my reiki practitioner echo in my ears: remove what it is from your life that is causing you the unhappiness.
And, while I am no longer unhappy, I certainly do not enjoy walking into the back office four days a week and doing the same annoying tasks, dealing with managing people who can’t be managed …
It’s hard to avoid this simple fact staring me down: I am done with my job.
Six days after my first sign, getting the e-mail from Elephant Nature Park, I sit at lunch, idly picking at a piece of pizza, and remark to my friend how over my job I am, how I can’t wait to quit.
“Well, why don’t you?,” she asks, staring me dead on over lunch. Instantly, it takes me back to my conversation with Katie in Thailand and the excuses I was throwing out to defend myself for not being ready to leave the country.
I have yet to hear back from Thailand, and, to my horror, in the days since the e-mail arrived to my Inbox, the park has been the subject of a raid. I don’t have an exit plan, other than going into business with myself and trying to make ends meet.
It’s not time to quit my job.
“You know, you’re right,” I say, surprising myself. “I’m going to resign. Right now.”
What. The. Hell.
But, once I’ve said it, it feels right.
Yes. I am going to go ahead and quit my job.
Leap.
So, I shoot a text to my boss, asking for a phone conference. He responds immediately, telling me “no,” he can’t talk with me, and then follows up with another text asking what I want to talk to him about.
He’s got to know. In a previous meeting, he had all but given me permission to quit. He went as far as to say, “D, I understand if this job doesn’t work out for you anymore since we can’t give you a raise or hire you full-time. I know you have to look out for you.”
And, that is exactly what I am doing.
He and I go back and forth for a few messages, as I carefully tip-toe around resigning via text. Finally, when he tells me he is driving and can’t talk (although most of our conversations take place in just that manner), I throw my hands in the air.
I’ve got no choice.
“I am done,” I say to my friend, furious at his brushing me off, as we walk back up to her office and I borrow a computer.
Then, quickly, with some instruction from my career counselor mom and life-long government employee father, I craft a short, sweet resignation letter that essentially says:
I quit. My last day is in 10 days. Thanks.
Within moments, my phone rings, and its my boss.
Now he can talk to me.
“I don’t understand why you don’t want to work here anymore,” he says, entirely unaware of the stress which used to render me awful.
“I don’t want to work for you anymore. I want to write, and I want to be happy, and I can’t do those things so long as I work with the company,” I explain.
He doesn’t get it. And, after saying it over and over, I decide to just give up. “It’s just not going to work for me anymore,” I offer.
Then, I hang up the phone.
Free.
Even if I hadn’t been ready to work for myself, suddenly, that is exactly what’s happening.
And the roller coaster begins to shoot down the first drop …
D Travels 'Round 
Congrats on making the jump!! Most people don’t have the guts to do what you did…and lead miserable, unfulfilling lives as a result.
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Thank you, Drew! It was one of those things I knew I needed to do to get me back to where I wanted to be. I made a promise to myself a few years ago to not just go through the motions of life, but to actually live and enjoy it. So, that’s where I am today!
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Good for you 🙂 I did the same in February and, though it’s a little stressful not having the income I used to have, I’m much happier, and that makes it worth it. I’m sure you will be too!
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It has been worth it! I would not have quit if I didn’t think I could make it on my own freelancing. Congrats on quitting your job, Ava!!
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For some reason I am enjoying these stories of you quitting your jobs. I think it is because you are not willing to put up with the status quo and want to do what makes you happy.
Starting your own business is great but be careful because it can become just like a job. I know this because that is what my business has become and I am struggling with how to change it.
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Thank you, Jeff! I am glad you are enjoying the posts! 🙂 A few years ago, I made a decision to follow my heart and my head, and not to settle for anything other than what it is I knew I wanted. Taking the job was a means to getting me back to the place I wanted to be until I was ready to head back out on the road. It served its purpose until it no longer worked for me. Granted, it lit a fire to get me going, but sometimes we all need a swift kick to jump start us back to the dreams we were chasing. Working for myself isn’t easy. But it helps I am doing what it is I love most — writing and traveling. And, in two months, it will be combined with helping promote responsible elephant tourism in Thailand and working with the most amazing sanctuary. How do you want to change your business?
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I had similar experiences at old jobs. My first job out of college was something out of the movie Office Space. I was ready to hang myself with a noose. I quit that job and got into Web Development and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Unfortunately, they too weren’t treating me right and not paying me well, so I learned from my past choice and quit again. I’m now working from home and traveling the country and couldn’t be happier. My advice is right inline with yours: don’t settle for being miserable. Disclaimer to those reading this: Get the new job first before you quit your old one or you might be up shit’s creek.
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Greg, it sounds like you are doing what makes you happy (and what I am doing, too!). My decision was easy — I knew I would be OK if I went into business for myself. Before I quit my job, I set up more freelance gigs and decided I would be OK leaving Las Vegas and heading to a less expensive place where my money could go further. Definitely, don’t quit a job without knowing you will be secure. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
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i hope it works out well for you Diana… 🙂 i left my job too last year no just to travel but to think things over as well and try new stuff such as blogging, writing and making websites and soon photography… life’s too short to spend it doing the things we’re not passionate about… quite hard to make both ends meet sometimes but it’s really fulfilling…
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Thank you so much! I totally agree — life IS too short to spend it doing the things we’re not passionate about. While I know it won’t always be easy to make ends meet, it is worth the uncertainty so I know I am giving myself the best shot I have.
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Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about. Can’t wait to see where the next stage in your journey takes you.
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Right on! And I’ll bet you feel a whole lot better, and happier.
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YES!!! I do!!
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That sounds both terrifying and exhilarating! And of course frustrating with your boss. Congrats!
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It was both, for sure. But, the absolute right thing to do.
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Such a brave girl, I love it!
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Thank you, Andi!
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Wahoo! Good for you! I totally know that feeling of being completely done with a job and how good it feels to quit it.
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Thank you, Sally!! It felt so good! And now, I am moving closer to you!
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D, you got balls. Big ‘ol balls. First time reading about this, although I knew it had happened. Congrats! Now get da fuck out of here!
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Awww, Candice. I love you!!! Thank you. I am … slowly. You need to come out and visit!!!
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