I Quit My Job Again. Here’s Why.
It’s my second job in about a year, within six months of starting.
After quitting my first job in 2020 within eight months, I told myself that I was going to be a good girl and stay in my new (current) job for at least a year.
…I guess I just am not meant to be a good girl.
I lasted only six months. The usual questions emerged within my head — why can’t I stay in a place long enough? Why was it that everyone else can settle so well with their jobs, and not me? Was I weak? Incapable, maybe? Was my disdain for authority that bad?
I took a long time reflecting about what I truly wanted out of my life and what my future plans were. Many evenings were spent simply sitting along the river, scribbling thoughts and ideas into my phone.
They all led to one conclusion: I had to leave.
I had a quarter-life crisis which dramatically altered long-term plans.
Life as a single woman was irresponsibly great. I got to be as hedonistic as I wished and only I suffered my consequences. There wasn’t really a plan for the future so to speak, and my priority back then was to take my time to explore around. That meant prioritizing experience and exploration above salary, which in turn led to low savings.
Having a relationship didn’t just give me a reality check, it pretty much slapped me out of the idyllic, hedonistic phase I was in. My top priority went from experience to salary. That was bad news as a trainee drawing only a fraction of what her peers were earning.
No matter how much you scrimp and save, if you aren’t fetching a salary that’s high enough then saving money is a little futile. I know it’s all about saving up bit by bit to accumulate more, but if you could multiply your savings by getting a job that pays more, then why not? It speeds up the process of accumulation and makes it less painful.
Another thing: Earlier this year in January I spent some time thinking about my core beliefs and what would nudge me towards them. I concluded that if any pursuit wasn’t working towards my beliefs and goals, I had the right to abandon it no matter how much effort and time was invested. I couldn’t stay in a place which wasn’t going to meet this change in priorities, and staying would simply mean wasting my time.
Time is a valuable thing. I cannot afford to waste it simply because of fear or the need for security.
I wanted to try something else.
Don’t get me wrong, working in a bank was pretty relaxing compared to my previously hectic agency life. I got to attend classes and pursue my interests outside of work. I even had time to date around! However, I found myself wanting to try something new this time, something which wasn’t exactly project or product management related. Being in project management for a year has made me realize that I do enjoy interacting with people as part of my job. However, I wasn’t getting enough of it from what I was doing. And if I had to prioritize salary over experience now, a career in project management wouldn’t be producing dollars compared to roles related to business development.
After six months in a bank, I’ve learnt for myself that I wasn’t really suited for its environment which was traditional and slow-paced. I found myself craving for more flexibility in my life and started wondering if the 9 to 5 was suitable for me.
Other options exist.
Are you aware of the tools and skills you possess should you find yourself out of a job one day? What would you be able to do? I can safely say that I could design, tutor, write, draw and even act if I REALLY had to, and knowing that there were such opportunities still out there comforted me. No, I am not a professional in any of the above, but you don’t need to be a pro in something to be hired. I also strongly believe that when we have circumstances forced upon us, we react quickly enough to adapt.
Furthermore, the 9 to 5 life isn’t the only way to earn money. The Internet has been disrupting what defines work, and times have changed. I’m not saying that everyone becomes a millionaire after publishing an eBook, but the point is to identify potential income streams and cultivate skills sufficiently so you don’t have to fear being jobless.
Concluding Thoughts and Questions
We are all on different journeys, directed by our goals and aspirations. It is our task to find out which method works best towards these goals, and that includes figuring out your career. Our goals inform our priorities, which in turn informs our direction in life. The important thing is to make sure you don’t wake up one day at 60 years old thinking, “Man, I should have done that back then.”
Here are some questions to ponder over once you’re done reading this article:
- Are you content with your work and its arrangements?
- What do you want out of life?
- What are the resulting priorities from 2?
- What small things can you do everyday to work towards your goals?
- If you find yourself without employment tomorrow, what are three things you can do to make money?
Thanks for reading!
