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
Happy Anniversary to YOU!!!! Yay for making the best decisions for YOU in life!!! Look at all you have accomplished in that year, too! Props to you! :)
As I sit and snack on these, I figured I would mention it on here. They are awesome! I bought mine out our local grocery store.
http://www.amazon.com/Roland-Feng-Shui-Edamame-4-4-Ounce/product-reviews/B001A5WSMC/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Everytime I read your “quitting” story, I continue to be amazed. That was a huge risk you took and, by your success, it seems like it was definitely worth it! Goes to show that big risks can bring big rewards. Being a senior in college, your story helps remind me that it’s very important to recognize what truely makes you happy and to do it! Not to just take the road that others think you should take or just keep on following a plan even though it’s not what you’re set out to do! Thank you for all your words of inspiration :)
i have been in tears reading this entire post. i’ve done so much of the same thing – looking for the job that pays the most (Lord knows i’m far from it right now!) and has the most “prestige” but never stopped and thought about what i love to do. even as i sit here and try to brainstorm, i don’t know what i love to do and how to turn it into something that will help pay the bills.
do you have any advice at all about how you figured out what you wanted to DO after you quit? how did that initial transition look?
scared!
Happy Anniversary to you!!! :) And Happy Birthday to Sketchie!!
Congrats Angela for making it through year 1! You are on the right track and have certainly developed your business and other skills a great deal in such a short time. I look forward to meeting you in person if we ever go out to that vegan restaurant in Cambridge.
Congratulations…I’m currently stuck in taht “super unhappy w/ my job and unsure of what to do next” phase that I guess is not even a little unique among people in their 20s…thanks for sharing how you followed your dreams!!
Reading this has given me goosebumps. Congratulations to you on making it one year that is a very courageous thing to do and not many are able to follow through. I secretly wish I could do the same but don’t think I ever will. You are very inspirational and I love coming to your blog!
Congratulations on your anniversary! You have come so far in such a short time.
For all of those above who are still looking for their place, remember that sometimes, figuring out what you want is a process of elimination. You have to study or experience something in the form of a job before you are truly able to determine it is not the path for you. With each step you take, you are that much closer to finding what you really want.
I love this post.
Last month, after 4.5 years of post-secondary, I finally decided to take a complete break from school. I had no idea what I wanted to do (still don’t!), and university/college was no place for me to be!
I still don’t know what I want to do career-wise, but I love my current job and am content to stay here until I move away from Winnipeg at the end of the year. I have also decided to complete a Bachelor of General Studies via online education. It might not get me incredibly far in the working world, but it’s a chance for me to complete a degree (something I’ve always wanted to do), and I only have to take courses that I am truly interested in to do so.
What an exciting day for your whole family!
A death of a friend, especially a young one, is a terrible thing to go through. I’m sure he would be honored to see how you’ve changed your life because of him.
You have a lot to be proud of. Here’s to hoping the second year of your new life is even better than the first one was!
WOW! Congrats on the important anniversary, inspiring! Someday when I realize what I want to do, I’ll do it too!
And happy birthday Sketchie! Our cat is so fat and lazy, I tell him all the time to be more like Sketchie because you look so graceful and exotic and all-around more cat-like than he does.
Congratulations, Angela! Your story resonates with so many people, myself included. I didn’t quit my job, but I did take an upaid leave of absence to follow my dreams, go to nutrition school, and start a bakery. Six years later, I still love working in the field of nutrition and am so happy with all the work I’ve done in that area. I continue to grow and explore new opportunities and am so glad I branched out to what I love!
ok, love you!! what a great post and happy anniversary! so so inspiring. I’m teetering on that boat right now wanting to quite my job and find something I truly enjoy and go to culinary school. It’s just not worth it to not be truly happy in this life. I’m struggling with the money issue and we just bought a townhouse. I worried about going into debt if I take out a bunch of loans. Hopefully it will work out in the end :)
So amazing you are, thank you.
Happy Anniversary!
I’ve been struggling with this as well, as are many people I know. I think you are so brave for taking the plunge!
I’ve had a hard time finding those “sandwich thins” in a vegan version – what brand are yours?
Hey there! Wow, this seems like the perfect day to have first read your blog. I myself just made a major change and dropped my pre-med track to add on an Art History major to my current major and a French minor. I really want a career in the arts, I have always felt that way, and it is so weird and uncomfortable but incredible to finally say that and pursue it. I can’t wait to read more of your inspiring and honest blog!!
I love this post. Congrats to you. I did the same thing in August of 2009. It was the best decision of my life. I think our generation is one of change. Unlike so many of our parents, we are dedicating our lives to being happy. What a thought, huh?!
happy anniversary. what a wonderful post, even if i don’t want to stand on cacti
a bientot!
Oh wow this is a very fitting post for me today. I am seriously contemplating to quit my job because I am not happy anymore. Yes, it is true that you don’t leave the company, you leave because of your boss. And if ever by any chance he is reading this, yes, I quit! I do not appreciate you micromanaging me. Sigh!
I love this post. This definitely made making a serious decision easier.
Happy anniversary and congratulations. Your an inspiration to me everyday. Its thru reading your blog that I’ve decided I no longer want to live with my eating disorder. I don’t want to be skinny I want to be fit. I started weight training, gave up dairy, am flirting with being vegan and loving it. I get inspiration everyday from ur blog. Love u and Happy birthday to sketchie. Hes so adorable.