My Journey: I Quit My Corporate Job
Two months ago, I quit my corporate job.
In the ebb and flow of life, we often find ourselves navigating through various challenges, juggling the demands of career, family, and personal well-being.
My journey, much like others, took unexpected turns, leading me to confront the pivotal question: Is it time to leave the corporate grind behind?
Related Post: 3 Signs it is Time to Leave Your 9-5 Job
This question was something I never imagined asking myself as I always felt I was trained for the corporate grind. Since my university days, I have immersed myself in demanding roles, pouring my dedication into long hours and professional achievements.
I completed my CPA designation while working the grueling hours of a public accounting firm. After which I left the public accounting world behind and continued my grind on the financial reporting team of public real estate company.
After spending several years on the financial reporting team, I transitioned to the finance team and made the decision to continue my education. I started studying for my CFA, which only added to the many hours spent grinding each day.
I spent my post-university life grinding, and I was proud to be known as a hard worker, so what brought me to the pivotal moment where I decided to leave my corporate job?
Cue the series of life-altering events.
At the beginning of 2022, I received news that shook the very foundations of my life—my father had been diagnosed with stage four cancer. Long work hours became the backdrop as I dealt with the reality of his illness.
During these times, my workplace showed understanding, allowing me to work remotely to be with my father during his final months. But despite the gravity of the situation, work continued, as did my commitment to supporting my family.
The months leading up to his passing were a relentless emotional roller coaster. I tried to be the pillar of strength for my family, navigating the delicate balance between work and personal responsibilities.
Related Post: 4 Tips to Assess Your Work-Life Balance
Despite my father’s passing, I continued to grind but the latter part of 2022 brought additional changes— debilitating pelvic pain, a persistent companion that would soon demand my attention.
Throughout 2023 as I juggled my demanding role and studying for the CFA Level 1 Exam, the pain escalated – marking the beginning of a relentless cycle.
Long work hours, persistent pain, an increasing workload, and the lingering grief from the loss of my father created a perfect storm for burnout. My boss, understanding and supportive, couldn’t shield me from the toll it took on my mental and physical health.
After many months pushing through the mental and physical pain, I made a decision that would alter the course of my journey—I left my job.
My journey led me to a crossroads, prompting me to prioritize my well-being. As I share my story, I invite you to reflect on your own journey—perhaps there are signs beckoning you to consider a different path.
Realizing the Significance of Pain and Lifestyle Unsustainability
As the demands of work, grief, and health issues pressed on, the quiet whispers of discomfort became persistent screams. The journey to uncover the root of my debilitating pain unfolded, a puzzle yet to be solved.
Debilitating pain became a regular struggle. The realization that my pelvic pain had become a significant issue struck when even routine tasks became a challenge.
Daily discomfort morphed into debilitating pain, rendering me bedridden every other week. A persistent battle, where I was left begging for a diagnosis and any kind of pain management strategy.
Recognizing The Toll on Mental Health
While dealing with my unresolved physical health issues, another storm brewed – one that affected not just my physical health but took a toll on my mental health as well.
Waking up became a daily struggle, every sunrise brought with it a cocktail of pain, anxiety, and depression.
The energy to face the day was almost non-existent, replaced by a relentless cycle of physical and emotional torment.
The vibrant, social person I once was seemed like a distant memory.
Counseling became a lifeline, a space to confront the reality I had crafted for myself.
A single question posed by my counselor unraveled the emotional burden: How had I endured this state for so long? The tears that followed unveiled the toll my unrelenting pace had taken on my mental health.
Related Post: Guide to Mental Health Check-Ins
A Question for the Future Self
While dealing with the weight of my experiences, a pivotal question emerged—one that would shape the trajectory of my journey.
The Question that Changed Everything
In the quiet moments, I asked myself a question that resonated beyond the present: How would I view this decision in 5, 10, or 20 years?
The answer was clear— I owed it to myself to prioritize my health. The long road ahead allowed for career shifts, but my well-being deserved immediate attention.
Balancing Health and Finances
The decision to prioritize health wasn’t made lightly, considering the financial implications. I took a pragmatic approach, cutting spending, and meticulously saving to create a financial buffer.
A cash flow projection became my guide, ensuring a safety net to weather the storm of unemployment.
The Decision to Resign and the Uncharted Journey Ahead
Work, once a central pillar of my identity, now stood alongside the pressing need to reclaim my health.
Colleagues and employers were aware of my struggles, providing unwavering support. However, the tug-of-war between work and well-being became too much to sustain.
Although my colleagues were surprised with my decision to resign, I was met with understanding. The option of a leave of absence lingered, but the unknown duration of my journey to health prompted a decisive choice—to fully resign.
Colleagues transitioned into mentors, and their continued check-ins show the depth of genuine connections formed.
As the curtain closed on one chapter, the journey toward well-being unfolded—a path uncertain yet ripe with possibilities.
Looking forward, the path ahead involves healing, self-discovery, and a renewed commitment to a more balanced and sustainable future.
For those standing at the intersection of recognizing the signs, I extend an invitation to take the next step.
Explore alternatives, prioritize well-being, and consider the multitude of paths that diverge from the conventional.
The journey toward a more fulfilling and balanced career is an ongoing process—one that unfolds with intentional choices and the courage to embrace the possibilities that lie beyond the familiar.
