Right now, I have a corporate job. I’m lead the marketing team at a tech company. I make good money. I love the work.
And any day now I’m going to snap and quit.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to work. Probably to a toxic degree. I’m not sure who I am or what I’m worth if I’m not working. My first job out of college I worked 80+ hours a week, and I never stopped.
I made big sales $$ in my 20’s. I founded my own company in my 30’s. I’ve spent 17 years working, grinding, and building start-ups. I have the title and paycheck I want. I “made it.”
So why am I about to throw it all away?
The fun is gone
I know, work is work. It’s a job. It’s not about having fun. Except, it is. I do my best work when I’m having fun. When I have coworkers I can be real with, a mission I believe in, customers I can support, and cool problems to solve.
My job used to be that way. But it’s been less fun for a while now. Maybe since we did layoffs? Or before that, Covid? Or since the awful boss I had?
I don’t know when the fun started leaking out, but at this point, the balloon is flat. I feel the Sunday scaries every. single. Sunday.
I’ve hit a ceiling
I’ve learned so much in this job, and I’ll always be grateful. But after seven years, I’ve plateaued.
My boss doesn’t understand my job, so she can’t teach me how to get better at it. There isn’t a more senior role for me to get promoted to, so I’m not going to get a raise.
There’s that old saying about “learning or earning”. Either is fine. Both is best. I’m down to 0 out of 2.
I want a change, and I can afford it
I have enough money saved to float for a few months. My husband is fully supportive. So, this summer, I’m going to:
- Play with my kids
- Recover from burnout
- Read tons of fantasy books
- Try writing my own novel
I keep thinking about the 2023 LeanIn.org study that found senior women in leadership roles were quitting faster than women were getting promoted into those senior roles.
Part of me feels guilty. Like I’m contributing to this backslide of professional career women. Like I’m being selfish for stepping away when I’m needed in this job.
But mostly, I’m excited. I’ve worked hard for this, and it’ll feel good to put myself first for a change.
What about you?
Have you ever wanted to walk away from something that looked perfect on paper?