Possibly the two most liberating (and scary) words that have ever come out of my mouth.
Today marks the 1 year anniversary of quitting my old job.
One year ago today, I was not in a good place. I was unhappy, depressed, anxious, and fearful of what the future would hold. Despite these feelings, I knew that I wanted to be happy with my career.
One year ago today was quite possibly one of the lowest moments in my life. After quitting, I walked down the office hallway in shock, literally shaking from what just happened. I sat at my desk in shock. I called Eric on the phone and whispered, ‘You’ll never believe what I finally did’, my hands still shaking.
What was I going to do?
Despite all of this, there was a small, glowing flame inside me that started to light up. It burned a bit brighter the day that I quit my job. Each day thereafter, it burned brighter and brighter. After 7 years in university and a few unfulfilling research jobs, I was finally able to sit down, take a deep breath, and really think about what makes me happy.
All of this time, this was the one crucial thing that I had not done. Yes I had written the exams, the GRE’s, gotten letters of recommendations, and straight A’s, but the one thing I did not do is stop to think about what I wanted.
I always did what I thought was expected of me or what career I thought would pay the most money. Both of which, would never make me a happy person, but kill that glowing flame inside my heart until it is no longer burning at all.
I have grown up a lot in the past year. I have struggled with self-doubt and worries that have almost paralyzed me from moving forward with my dreams. There were several times when I almost called it off because I was scared. There have been a lot of tears over the past year, but there have also been many more smiles and exciting moments than I have had in the past 7 years combined.
The past year has really shown me that I can choose a life that I will be happy with. I can make choices every single day to create happiness in myself. I can work my ass off at something I love and feel extremely rewarded.
And most of all, I never have to settle for something that isn’t a right fit for me.
Sometimes it takes us to experience a career field before we know that it just isn’t right for us. Or, we go to law school when we really secretly have always wanted to open up a cupcake shop. Most of the time, we figure out things as we go. There aren’t really any ‘mistakes’, but experiences and the key is to make them learning experiences.
We make the best choice that we can at the time.
When we lost a family friend, Chris, to cancer just prior to our wedding in 2008, I started to question a lot of things in my life. Chris was the same age as Eric and he grew up with Eric. Losing someone so young made me question my own life, choices, happiness, and goals. I decided that I would do something to change my situation. I realized that my time on the earth was not something to take for granted any longer.
While it took me another 6 months to finally get the courage to leave my job, once I said those two words, it was instantly a new beginning for me.
I don’t want to think about what my life would be like today, had I not had the courage to take a leap of faith.
Today I celebrate stepping outside my comfort zone, challenging myself as a person, and deciding that I deserve to be happy.
Have you ever decided to leave a bad situation or a job/college major because it wasn’t a good fit for you?
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For a full recap of how I changed careers, check out my ‘A Year Can Change A Lot’ Series:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, and Part 9
Reach for the stars, even if you have to stand on a cactus.
~Susan Longacre
What a gem you are! It takes so much courage to not only do what you have done but admit it to so many about how much you struggled to get there.
So much of what you say can relate to our everyday experiences. One thing that I have started to do is everyday, every single day I take some action towards what my dream is. Regardless of the dream, I take action everyday to move towards it! You are a shining inspiration!
A beautiful post about living life to the fullest. Quitting a bad situation takes a lot of guts and courage. Congratulations on taking that step, clearly it’s paid off so well for you. Inspiring!
Angela! Congratulations, I can’t believe it’s only been a year. You’ve grown so much.
Idea for celebration: Seek out another entrepreneur who had the courage to do what you did and celebrate/go out together!
Btw, I’m addicted to your blog. And of course, green monsters too.
Very inspiring post. I have changed my mind about my major at least 4 times. Nothing ever felt “right” to me until now. Once I found what I was passionate about, I never second guessed my decision.
SO proud of you!! (haha although your title probably momentarily scared the crap out of some people! :p) Sketchie is 3 today? Ok that’s 4 birthdays today for me!! :-P
I can relate- I just left my job last month. I took the job because we needed the money and I was promised new opportunities however I had a manager that was 2 faced and a “team leader” who was rude and condescending. I put up with it for a year and half but finally decided that I had to rid myself of a toxic situation and take sometime to figure out what I really want to do.
Happy Birthday, Sketchie! :-D
Angela, I’m glad you quit and have gotten to the happy place you are now-very awesome! You go, girl!
Congrats! I’m quite jealous. As much as I’m not happy . . . I frankly don’t have an option. I have so much student loan debt, so much mortgage debt, car loan debt, and my husband’s a teacher, so we don’t exactly bring in the big bucks. Simply put: we don’t have enough cash to explore my wants/desires. Blah. Someday I hope to do what you did. But until then . . . I can live vicariously through you :)
<3
This post really speaks to my heart! I just took a huge leap of faith and decided to go back to school and change careers. I graduated from college 3 years ago with two business degrees and I’ve been miserable for the past 2 years of it! I debated for months whether I could actually change careers. But guess what?! This past Tuesday I started school! In 3.5 years I’m going to have another bachelors, a masters and be eligable to sit for the Registered Dietican exam! Unfortunately I am still working during this first semester at my miserable finance job, but come May – I’ll be out of here and FREE!
A lot of people (my family especially) have questioned my decisions and my actions, but I don’t care. I made this decision for myself and I have realized that life was NOT worth living so miserable. Congrats to both of us for having the courage to do what we really want in life instead of what we are “supposed” do be doing!
Congrats on the year! :) Almost two years I ago I was in a situation very similar. I was tired of being harassed by my bosses. I couldn’t sleep at night because I was always so worried or upset about something at work. With the support of my family and walked out of the job…and I have NEVER looked back! I feel so bad for anyone who continues to work in a hostile environment… perhaps your story will inspire others to make the same courageous step in their life!
“Most of the time, we figure out things as we go. There aren’t really any ‘mistakes’, but experiences and the key is to make them learning experiences.”
That is an awesome statement Angela! Congrats on your one year of happiness :)
Angela, I love your story! I have read every single one of your blog posts, and I was so proud of you when you finally decided to quit your job. I hope that your bakery fulfills you, and that you are excited to begin work every day.
Happy birthday to Mr. Sketchie!
Happy quit-iversary!! :-)
And happy birthday to Sketchie, undoubtedly one of the coolest cats on the world wide web!
Happy anniversary! You’re right..life is too short to do something that makes you miserable or settle for anything less that what you want. It’s your life, you should be able to do and achieve what you want!
Today is definitely a day for you to celebrate! I left my job of teaching a year or so ago to stay at home when my daughter was born, and it was amazing how much I realized that career was not as rewarding to me as I thought it was. I love being at home, but I do plan to go back to work. And now I know that when that time comes it will have to be doing something I am really passionate about. :)
Congrats girl. That’s amazing! So many people wish they could be in your shoes and so many people are missing out on living your dreams!
Best things in life happen when you step outside of your comfort zone, I believe that with 100% of myself! :)
Congrats and hopefully you do something wonderful to celebrate tonight!
xo Jess
Congrats to you!! That’s awesome!
Congrats! I know it has been a lot happier, but I know you have worked really hard in the past year to be in the happy place you are now. I hope you have a great weekend of celebrating!
I just recently changed my major from business to psychology. It isn’t my real passion, I really want to be a nutritionist. But I can’t find a program that will work with my schedule now. I am confident that I will find something that works for me, I just have to find the right time. Your posts are awesome!
This is something I’m working on. I know that this job isn’t for me- it’s not what I want, what I’m good at, or within my passions in life.
But I’m also the one that has benefits, insurance, and everything that we need. So I can’t just quit and leave us hanging when my husband has a temporary job.
One day…the timing just isn’t right, and I can’t put us in a bad situation.