Why I Quit My Day Job

One month ago today, I followed through with a radical decision. I decided to leave my job and start this blog, among other adventures. This decision did not come lightly, nor is it without its drawbacks, but I know it was the right decision for me.

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t hate my job. In fact, I enjoyed it. At the time I left, I had some great coworkers and an awesome boss.

Why, then, would I leave?

I am always looking for ways to improve myself and my well-being. While I didn’t hate my job, something was missing. So I took a hard look at my life and what I could change to make it better.

I started by doing a lot of research. I mean a lot. I read everything on the Internet about being happy at work and in life. After months of reading, I came up with a list of four things I needed from a job to make me happy.

1. I did not want a traditional desk job. This point is what I kept coming back to when trying to decide to quit. I know a lot of people love having an office or thrives in the office setting, but I am not one of them. Though I no longer had my own office, and I had an awesome cube-mate, I was still tied to a desk all day.
2.  Must have freedom to travel. While I am still working on this one, I have, as you know, taken a road trip. I have another couple of road trips coming up. I will get abroad again one day very soon!
3. Must have good work/life balance. Who said that if you enjoy your work you will never work a day in your life? All I ever wanted to be was a writer, yet I was doing nothing to make it happen. I couldn’t even say I tried and failed. Now, I am trying. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
4. Must feel good about work. This item goes with the previous one. If I don’t feel good about what I am doing, it affects my non-work life. I am not good at compartmentalizing the two worlds.

I also came up with two items that would make my work life even better.

1. Not geographically specific. While this point goes with the freedom to travel item above, it also means I could live anywhere. Maybe one day I will be writing this blog from London.
2. Work outside. I don’t like always working inside. I like getting my hands dirty sometimes.

With all this in mind, I had no choice but to quit my job. It made complete sense for me to chase after my dream of being a writer. I also knew I would never attempt to make my dream come true with the safety net of a steady job.

When I told my cube-mate of my decision to quit, she told me she wondered what was up with me. She said she had never seen me so cheerful and happy. I wasn’t cheerful and happy because I was leaving. I was cheerful and happy because I finally made the decision to follow my heart. I knew this was the right move for me.

Now, a month later and a struggling writer/blogger, I am so happy I made the move. I have learned a lot about myself in the last month. I have learned new things I didn’t know I was capable of doing. I can feel myself being more open to the universe and whatever experiences she wants to throw at me.

Some may think I’m crazy. Maybe I am. I hear all the best people are.