Quitty
February 4, 2022 10:51 AM Subscribe
Should I quit my job with nothing else lined up?
My situation:
I've worked in the same job for over 20 years, and have always hated it. As my post history demonstrates, I've fitfully made attempts to change careers, with no success.
My job is a combination of stress and drudgery. It's mostly customer-service focused, with some intellectual work, paperwork, presentations. It's mostly really boring, and I spend a lot of time thinking "oh my god, I can't believe it's only 10:30--it feels like it should be 3:30." I hate talking to strangers constantly, every day. Years of meds, therapy and doing this day in and day out have brought me no increased comfort with it. The pandemic, and the wide variety of approaches people have to mask-wearing, have made it more stressful. I haven't had covid yet, and that's surprising. Additionally, I often deal with people in crisis, and hoo boy those crises have increased in recent years.
To make things worse, my organization has gotten very toxic in the last few years. This pre-dates the pandemic, but the pandemic accelerated things. The free-floating anger and resentment is a constant presence, and it's unassailable without a complete change in management.
I am 12 years away from a full retirement with my state pension, which is currently viable--although the last few years have taught me just how tenuous this whole societal experiment is.
I am definitely menopausal, meaning I'm pretty fed up with things in general. It also means I'm not an attractive candidate for most jobs, being a visibly older woman.
I could look for a part-time job doing work very similar to what I do, for about a quarter of the salary. There are in fact several openings in my area for just this thing. I would stay in my state's pension plan. But I'm so sick of what I do that the thought of doing it even part-time for less pay is unappealing.
I have a creative pursuit that is not terribly remunerative, but I always wonder if it could be more so if I had more time and brainpower for it, and was not trying to fit it in around a full-time job. Last year I made several thousand dollars at it. I was featured in the world's preeminent showcase for the thing I do. There are many more avenues I'd like to pursue with this work, given more time.
I have about two years of savings, which was intended to be a down-payment for a house, but for various reasons we don't plan to buy a house for at least a couple of years. I am married and my spouse has a decent-paying, stable job. We have no debt and a cheap living situation.
Should I quit my job?
My situation:
I've worked in the same job for over 20 years, and have always hated it. As my post history demonstrates, I've fitfully made attempts to change careers, with no success.
My job is a combination of stress and drudgery. It's mostly customer-service focused, with some intellectual work, paperwork, presentations. It's mostly really boring, and I spend a lot of time thinking "oh my god, I can't believe it's only 10:30--it feels like it should be 3:30." I hate talking to strangers constantly, every day. Years of meds, therapy and doing this day in and day out have brought me no increased comfort with it. The pandemic, and the wide variety of approaches people have to mask-wearing, have made it more stressful. I haven't had covid yet, and that's surprising. Additionally, I often deal with people in crisis, and hoo boy those crises have increased in recent years.
To make things worse, my organization has gotten very toxic in the last few years. This pre-dates the pandemic, but the pandemic accelerated things. The free-floating anger and resentment is a constant presence, and it's unassailable without a complete change in management.
I am 12 years away from a full retirement with my state pension, which is currently viable--although the last few years have taught me just how tenuous this whole societal experiment is.
I am definitely menopausal, meaning I'm pretty fed up with things in general. It also means I'm not an attractive candidate for most jobs, being a visibly older woman.
I could look for a part-time job doing work very similar to what I do, for about a quarter of the salary. There are in fact several openings in my area for just this thing. I would stay in my state's pension plan. But I'm so sick of what I do that the thought of doing it even part-time for less pay is unappealing.
I have a creative pursuit that is not terribly remunerative, but I always wonder if it could be more so if I had more time and brainpower for it, and was not trying to fit it in around a full-time job. Last year I made several thousand dollars at it. I was featured in the world's preeminent showcase for the thing I do. There are many more avenues I'd like to pursue with this work, given more time.
I have about two years of savings, which was intended to be a down-payment for a house, but for various reasons we don't plan to buy a house for at least a couple of years. I am married and my spouse has a decent-paying, stable job. We have no debt and a cheap living situation.
Should I quit my job?
Hard to answer without knowing the financial consequences. 12 years is a long time, but also a lot of things can go financially wrong in 12 years.
I'd look into sick leave, paid or unpaid, or using up your vacation leave while you make this decision.
posted by jello at 11:05 AM on February 4, 2022
I'd look into sick leave, paid or unpaid, or using up your vacation leave while you make this decision.
posted by jello at 11:05 AM on February 4, 2022
Yeah, this sounds like you need to take time off from work for a few weeks. A month, two if you can swing it. FMLA does let you take time off for mental health needs, and this will very likely qualify (just talk to your doctor or therapist, they can fill out the paperwork etc).
While you have the month or two off, rest up and consider your options carefully. The creative pursuit sounds absolutely fantastic, if you know yourself well enough that you can trust you will plug away at it in the absence of enforced external structure. And worst case, maybe you can do a lateral move within the state government itself? Even if you go a grade or two lower in a totally different department, that's better than taking a cut down to a quarter of your salary.
posted by MiraK at 11:10 AM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
While you have the month or two off, rest up and consider your options carefully. The creative pursuit sounds absolutely fantastic, if you know yourself well enough that you can trust you will plug away at it in the absence of enforced external structure. And worst case, maybe you can do a lateral move within the state government itself? Even if you go a grade or two lower in a totally different department, that's better than taking a cut down to a quarter of your salary.
posted by MiraK at 11:10 AM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
I have about two years of savings, which was intended to be a down-payment for a house, but for various reasons we don't plan to buy a house for at least a couple of years. I am married and my spouse has a decent-paying, stable job. We have no debt and a cheap living situation.
I read about people quitting their jobs and am left struggling to wonder how they pay their bills. But you're in a unique position in being debt-free and solvent. Maybe use paid leave to take a breather and sort out future plans.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:19 AM on February 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
I read about people quitting their jobs and am left struggling to wonder how they pay their bills. But you're in a unique position in being debt-free and solvent. Maybe use paid leave to take a breather and sort out future plans.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:19 AM on February 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Can your husband support the both of you indefinitely (I'm talking years, not months) if you can't ever find another job again or work part time? That, to me, is the big question here. I could have written most of your post, but I have no husband or backup in this world and I don't think I can get hired again elsewhere because I'm completely undesireable. I have had no luck myself in trying to do anything else and customer service/helper jobs seem to be an area that's really hard to get out of. So if you quit your job, what's the plan if you can't get employed at the same level you were again, perhaps ever again? If I thought quitting my job was an option, that's what I would try to focus on: how do you live for the rest of your life if you don't have this stable employment as an option again?
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:19 AM on February 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:19 AM on February 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
What happens if you leave your job, can’t find another one that pays as well, and then get divorced? Will you be able to make it in retirement in whatever you would take from the marriage, social security (will you get SS? Are you subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision?) and whatever you get from your pension? I ask this as someone who took a huge hit from an unexpected divorce at age 52. I’m not saying don’t quit—I’m just saying do the math first and have a plan.
posted by HotToddy at 11:25 AM on February 4, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by HotToddy at 11:25 AM on February 4, 2022 [14 favorites]
I have never regretted quitting a job. Life is short.
Make a budget that will allow you to live on your husband's salary, and then go for it.
posted by mai at 11:25 AM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
Make a budget that will allow you to live on your husband's salary, and then go for it.
posted by mai at 11:25 AM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
+1 look into FMLA to get some breathing room to think longer-term. I'm currently half-time at work and was pleasantly surprised by how simple it was (still fairly stressful! but the process went smoothly once I understood it) to get leave for depression. Leave is a benefit you earned and using it to mitigate the negative impact of your workplace on your mental health is a totally valid way to use it.
Also look into how much vacation leave gets paid out and spend it down as applicable. Figure out what you'll do for health insurance. Plan out a few different scenarios until something reasonable starts to converge from them. If you know coworkers who left, figure out what they're doing now.
posted by momus_window at 11:27 AM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also look into how much vacation leave gets paid out and spend it down as applicable. Figure out what you'll do for health insurance. Plan out a few different scenarios until something reasonable starts to converge from them. If you know coworkers who left, figure out what they're doing now.
posted by momus_window at 11:27 AM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have about two years of savings, which was intended to be a down-payment for a house, but for various reasons we don't plan to buy a house for at least a couple of years. I am married and my spouse has a decent-paying, stable job. We have no debt and a cheap living situation.
Should I quit my job?
Fuck yes. Worst case scenario, you go do the same shit job for less money but also less hours, and there are worse things than that. Go do your Thing.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:27 AM on February 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Should I quit my job?
Fuck yes. Worst case scenario, you go do the same shit job for less money but also less hours, and there are worse things than that. Go do your Thing.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:27 AM on February 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
yes, quit.
But what does "two years of savings" even mean? You saved for two years? You could live off the savings for two years without ANY Pay?
posted by sandmanwv at 11:33 AM on February 4, 2022
But what does "two years of savings" even mean? You saved for two years? You could live off the savings for two years without ANY Pay?
posted by sandmanwv at 11:33 AM on February 4, 2022
Response by poster: But what does "two years of savings" even mean? ...You could live off the savings for two years without ANY Pay?
Yes.
posted by Sockrates at 12:04 PM on February 4, 2022
Yes.
posted by Sockrates at 12:04 PM on February 4, 2022
A state pension is a big deal and a lot to give up. Would it be possible to take FMLA then transition into part time? Maybe pursue your creative pursuit part time as well then?
If you're really burned out and don't need your pension with your savings and your husband's salary, you are probably fine to quit. But I would really see about trying to keep that pension if you can stomach it.
posted by Amy93 at 12:30 PM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
If you're really burned out and don't need your pension with your savings and your husband's salary, you are probably fine to quit. But I would really see about trying to keep that pension if you can stomach it.
posted by Amy93 at 12:30 PM on February 4, 2022 [9 favorites]
I would really see about trying to keep that pension if you can stomach it.
You don't "unvest" in a pension plan just because you leave the job before retirement, though there may be certain negative implications (e.g., if your pension benefit is based on your "high 3" years of salary, inflation will usually eat away at it over time, meaning an effective lower benefit even if there is a COLA adjustment once you're actually receiving the benefit).
posted by praemunire at 12:38 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
You don't "unvest" in a pension plan just because you leave the job before retirement, though there may be certain negative implications (e.g., if your pension benefit is based on your "high 3" years of salary, inflation will usually eat away at it over time, meaning an effective lower benefit even if there is a COLA adjustment once you're actually receiving the benefit).
posted by praemunire at 12:38 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'm on team take-a-break, FMLA would be ideal because your health insurance will continue, and your pension/SS/IRA contributions, whatever you have set up, would continue as long as you are paid during that leave. If you decide you absolutely can't go back to this job I would spend real effort to calculate the costs of NOT continuing these contributions in the years you would have contributed to them. That's a lot of money to NOT have socked away.
It sounds like you are in a quite enviable position financially, with no debt, really robust savings, and a spouse who works. But as others have said shit can happen. What if one of you has a debilitating accident/illness and can never work again? Are you a union member as a state worker?
If so your union may have negotiated additional job protection timelines which you should investigate. Do you have long-term-care insurance for both of you? Are you protected if you end up divorcing?
Of course it's awful to hate your job. I have a couple of acquaintances in their 50s who were in a similar position. One got laid off (and was happy about it) and another finally quit after years of unhappiness and then a really awful year. Neither was in as good a financial position as you, but they were financially stable with savings and some sizable 401k accounts. Neither person has had sufficient financial success since, and that has brought on its own stress with aging parents and the inability to visit or help much due to finances. The person who quit now regrets it. Another friend had a sudden devastating health issue that forced early retirement, and she has really suffered because she was single and had never been good at financial planning. After 6 months of being unable to work she was forcibly terminated. It has been very hard for her. I know this is not quite your situation, but it fits into the "you never know" category, and health problems can cause devastating cascades of problems. She was sure she had another decade of employment and a good salary/benefits package ahead of her and was trying hard to improve her retirement account.
posted by citygirl at 12:48 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
It sounds like you are in a quite enviable position financially, with no debt, really robust savings, and a spouse who works. But as others have said shit can happen. What if one of you has a debilitating accident/illness and can never work again? Are you a union member as a state worker?
If so your union may have negotiated additional job protection timelines which you should investigate. Do you have long-term-care insurance for both of you? Are you protected if you end up divorcing?
Of course it's awful to hate your job. I have a couple of acquaintances in their 50s who were in a similar position. One got laid off (and was happy about it) and another finally quit after years of unhappiness and then a really awful year. Neither was in as good a financial position as you, but they were financially stable with savings and some sizable 401k accounts. Neither person has had sufficient financial success since, and that has brought on its own stress with aging parents and the inability to visit or help much due to finances. The person who quit now regrets it. Another friend had a sudden devastating health issue that forced early retirement, and she has really suffered because she was single and had never been good at financial planning. After 6 months of being unable to work she was forcibly terminated. It has been very hard for her. I know this is not quite your situation, but it fits into the "you never know" category, and health problems can cause devastating cascades of problems. She was sure she had another decade of employment and a good salary/benefits package ahead of her and was trying hard to improve her retirement account.
posted by citygirl at 12:48 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
I quit, best decision in my professional career by a bajillion miles. The sense of relief alone, my god. Life is for living, every day does not have to be agony and a crappy job that you're burned out on is that fresh hell. Every day. It's a wound that never even comes close to closing. You're going to get a lot of people downplaying that because they aren't in the situation and so it seems not that bad.
I read about people quitting their jobs and am left struggling to wonder how they pay their bills. But you're in a unique position in being debt-free and solvent.
I had savings, we rent, my cost of living is very low with no kids, freelance/temp jobs paid $$$.
Now I make 60% more than what I did at the job I quit in June so I can just save 75%+ of what I make while living normally. Not having kids or debt is like a cheat code it seems like.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:02 PM on February 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
I read about people quitting their jobs and am left struggling to wonder how they pay their bills. But you're in a unique position in being debt-free and solvent.
I had savings, we rent, my cost of living is very low with no kids, freelance/temp jobs paid $$$.
Now I make 60% more than what I did at the job I quit in June so I can just save 75%+ of what I make while living normally. Not having kids or debt is like a cheat code it seems like.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:02 PM on February 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
Could you reduce your hours at your current job - I've had my share of draining jobs (customer service, restaurants) and found that sometimes just getting an extra day off made a big difference.
Otherwise, have you talked to people who currently entirely rely on income from doing your creative pursuit? I would definitely do a little research on the ups and down of that line of work- I've also found some creative work becomes more of a slog when it's your job.
posted by coffeecat at 1:16 PM on February 4, 2022
Otherwise, have you talked to people who currently entirely rely on income from doing your creative pursuit? I would definitely do a little research on the ups and down of that line of work- I've also found some creative work becomes more of a slog when it's your job.
posted by coffeecat at 1:16 PM on February 4, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks for your answers.
Unfortunately, I have asked about reducing hours, even by a few a week, or doing things in a slightly more friendly way (same hours but four-day workweek, for example), but my employer refused.
posted by Sockrates at 1:22 PM on February 4, 2022
Unfortunately, I have asked about reducing hours, even by a few a week, or doing things in a slightly more friendly way (same hours but four-day workweek, for example), but my employer refused.
posted by Sockrates at 1:22 PM on February 4, 2022
I'm on team quit. You have an opportunity to take some time for yourself, with which you can heal from the weight of daily stomaching a long-hated job. You'll get to give yourself over to creative work you love. And you're able to do this without worrying (for now, and it sounds like potentially for quite a while) about money. This is all good.
As OnTheLastCastle says, life is for living. Do the thing that increases your daily delight at being alive!
(Full disclosure: I very recently quit my own job, without another lined up (finances allow no income for a year or so). As I shake off the emotional weight of work-unhappiness and its attendant coping mechanisms, it becomes clear that regardless of what happens next, being freed from daily misery is its own, significant, reward.)
posted by marlys at 1:43 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
As OnTheLastCastle says, life is for living. Do the thing that increases your daily delight at being alive!
(Full disclosure: I very recently quit my own job, without another lined up (finances allow no income for a year or so). As I shake off the emotional weight of work-unhappiness and its attendant coping mechanisms, it becomes clear that regardless of what happens next, being freed from daily misery is its own, significant, reward.)
posted by marlys at 1:43 PM on February 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
I’d vote take leave and figure out your next step once you’ve had a chance to rest. I’m a state employee myself-though a lot closer to being able to retire than you are-and one thing I love about it even when it succccccks is that there a million other jobs out there in completely different fields that I can consider with no loss of benefits-other state jobs-or minimal
Loss-other public employers.
posted by purenitrous at 2:49 PM on February 4, 2022
Loss-other public employers.
posted by purenitrous at 2:49 PM on February 4, 2022
Looks like not "If" but "When". The answer is: no longer than absolutely possible.
I've never regretted leaving any sooner when I knew it was really over. I've somewhat regretted over-staying when I hung on longer than I would've liked to. But every case is special.
posted by ovvl at 3:27 PM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I've never regretted leaving any sooner when I knew it was really over. I've somewhat regretted over-staying when I hung on longer than I would've liked to. But every case is special.
posted by ovvl at 3:27 PM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
I’ve done this, with a similar financial cushion.
Do it. Two years of savings is a really long landing strip.
posted by bookmammal at 3:52 PM on February 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Do it. Two years of savings is a really long landing strip.
posted by bookmammal at 3:52 PM on February 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Many state pensions, once you are "vested", you get a proportional benefit if you retire before "full retirement age" e.g. if you retire at age 55 you still get most of the pension you would earn at age 65.
You say you are "12 years" away from full retirement, but this may be a case where "the perfect is the enemy of the good"
Also - some pensions give healthcare benefits for life - (some do not) - check this out beore you decide.
Are you unionized? Many unions have ways to help you make this decision...
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:15 PM on February 4, 2022
You say you are "12 years" away from full retirement, but this may be a case where "the perfect is the enemy of the good"
Also - some pensions give healthcare benefits for life - (some do not) - check this out beore you decide.
Are you unionized? Many unions have ways to help you make this decision...
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:15 PM on February 4, 2022
>It also means I'm not an attractive candidate for most jobs, being a visibly older woman.
Concerning. Eager to hear people address this.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:11 PM on February 4, 2022
Concerning. Eager to hear people address this.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:11 PM on February 4, 2022
While you're on paid leave spend some time browsing your true cohort - You are not alone in this. You really need to spend some time running the numbers to see if a permanent change in careers works. Simple spreadsheet will tell you how it will roll - and you can project how much you new career needs to pay to have it work to your advantage. Please take time off.
posted by ptm at 8:42 PM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ptm at 8:42 PM on February 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
1) FMLA and ADA accommodations don't need your bosses explicit approval - you go through HR or Employee health if that's a thing you have and then they decide. There are legal protections for these requests. Its a documented medical need, and our is reasonable it pretty much should be an honored request. If they are assholes about it that is what the EEOC is for. But in general fmla for complete time off is generally approved, when you start asking for reduced schedules or other accommodations it can get a little trickier. But if you need some time off for you're health and sanity do take it.
2) As a state employee you are likely an internal hire for alot of different roles, have you tried to transfer anywhere else? You sound like you have a fairly broad skillset (presentations, consumer service work, and processing paperwork) which sets you up for many roles in the state system. So poke around and see what's out there. If you are unionized they're might be specific things about how seniority considered in hiring and stuff and with 20 years experience that's going to put you higher on the list for something else. The state pension is a big deal. Depending on where you live and the rules of that pension you marry want to look at what you would get when you hit the retirement age. There is likely some one at your pension whose job it is to walk you through this.
3) I am financially cautious and really don't like the idea of quitting without a job lined up especially when thew plan is to return to the workforce at some point . This is personal, it's not wrong but it's a level of financial risk I am not comfortable with.
I think this would be true for me regardless of my financial stability, i just can't imagine going through my savings because I find work tedious and difficult and boring. It just doesn't feel like a good enough reason for me. (Now leaving an unsafe workplace or place where one is experiencing bullying or harassment is different just gtfo).
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:10 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
2) As a state employee you are likely an internal hire for alot of different roles, have you tried to transfer anywhere else? You sound like you have a fairly broad skillset (presentations, consumer service work, and processing paperwork) which sets you up for many roles in the state system. So poke around and see what's out there. If you are unionized they're might be specific things about how seniority considered in hiring and stuff and with 20 years experience that's going to put you higher on the list for something else. The state pension is a big deal. Depending on where you live and the rules of that pension you marry want to look at what you would get when you hit the retirement age. There is likely some one at your pension whose job it is to walk you through this.
3) I am financially cautious and really don't like the idea of quitting without a job lined up especially when thew plan is to return to the workforce at some point . This is personal, it's not wrong but it's a level of financial risk I am not comfortable with.
I think this would be true for me regardless of my financial stability, i just can't imagine going through my savings because I find work tedious and difficult and boring. It just doesn't feel like a good enough reason for me. (Now leaving an unsafe workplace or place where one is experiencing bullying or harassment is different just gtfo).
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:10 AM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think some may be answering your question without fully considering the specific aspects of your circumstance that make quitting a relatively positive move. You’ve stuck it out in a job you hate for 20 years! You have a creative practice for which you’re already receiving international recognition and even a bit of money. You have relative security, such that quitting will not put you in a vulnerable financial situation. Perhaps most importantly, as you mention wrt your ask history, you’ve already seriously, actively wanted out of this job for years.
Reasonable not-ideal scenario: you quit, enjoy your freedom, and do more creative work. It never pays enough to become financially sustaining, so after 1-2 years of said creative work you have to find another job again. Maybe desired jobs are hard to find at that point due to ageism, maybe not (depends on your field/expertise I’d guess?). Maybe at that point you can work part time while still bringing some money in from the creative work. The financial outcome is poorer here, the satisfaction/happiness outcome is probably much richer (caveat: how much richer will depend on your disposition and comfort with risk).
How does that scenario sound to you? That’s what I’d ask myself. (In my case, the not-great scenario was still way better than staying, and that told me all I needed to know.)
Yes, you could use the true worst-case scenario (extremely bad, unanticipated things happen), and this would probably lead you to stay in an unhappy situation for security’s sake. Personally, I don’t think that’s a way to live (but that’s me).
posted by marlys at 10:20 AM on February 5, 2022
Reasonable not-ideal scenario: you quit, enjoy your freedom, and do more creative work. It never pays enough to become financially sustaining, so after 1-2 years of said creative work you have to find another job again. Maybe desired jobs are hard to find at that point due to ageism, maybe not (depends on your field/expertise I’d guess?). Maybe at that point you can work part time while still bringing some money in from the creative work. The financial outcome is poorer here, the satisfaction/happiness outcome is probably much richer (caveat: how much richer will depend on your disposition and comfort with risk).
How does that scenario sound to you? That’s what I’d ask myself. (In my case, the not-great scenario was still way better than staying, and that told me all I needed to know.)
Yes, you could use the true worst-case scenario (extremely bad, unanticipated things happen), and this would probably lead you to stay in an unhappy situation for security’s sake. Personally, I don’t think that’s a way to live (but that’s me).
posted by marlys at 10:20 AM on February 5, 2022
I think you should re-examine your assumption that you won’t be able to find work due to your age. Employers in many fields are struggling mightily to fill open positions. It sounds like you have broadly applicable skills that qualify you for a lot of different office jobs. Older women are frequently extremely competent at office jobs, provided their computer skills are current. Perhaps you could find a more low-key office job with reduced hours and spend the additional time and energy on your creative pursuit.
The desire to spend more time on your creative pursuit would be a great explanation for the career change in an interview. I suspect it could counter ageism somewhat since it shows you are a mentally vibrant person.
posted by Comet Bug at 11:04 AM on February 5, 2022
The desire to spend more time on your creative pursuit would be a great explanation for the career change in an interview. I suspect it could counter ageism somewhat since it shows you are a mentally vibrant person.
posted by Comet Bug at 11:04 AM on February 5, 2022
I had worked at my job for just a few months shy of 30 years. Throughout the pandemic, the environment had become more and more toxic, with the owners giving zero shits about public health & safety, masking, etc. Finally, in September 2020, the store owners decided to use the storefront to host a Trump rally on a Sunday, and the next day, there was immense pushback from customers demanding to know if all of us employees were likewise morally bankrupt, etc. The store owners refused to even discuss the issue, or how their decision impacts those of us who worked there, and so I quit on the spot. (Bonus: Soon after I quit, several other people quit too!)
More than a year later, it's the best decision I've ever made. My physical and mental health is SO much better. With my doctor's consent and advice, I'm finally off my anti-depressants, which I had been on... basically since I started working there. <>
If you hate the work, if it does not bring you joy, go. I hope it brings you as much liberation and happiness as it did for me, but even if, gods forbid, it somehow goes horribly sideways, at least you will have taken the chance on something better instead of continuing to be tied down to a job that you hate.
posted by xedrik at 1:07 PM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
More than a year later, it's the best decision I've ever made. My physical and mental health is SO much better. With my doctor's consent and advice, I'm finally off my anti-depressants, which I had been on... basically since I started working there. <>
If you hate the work, if it does not bring you joy, go. I hope it brings you as much liberation and happiness as it did for me, but even if, gods forbid, it somehow goes horribly sideways, at least you will have taken the chance on something better instead of continuing to be tied down to a job that you hate.
posted by xedrik at 1:07 PM on February 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by hydra77 at 10:57 AM on February 4, 2022 [10 favorites]