Quitting the dream job
Cuifen Pui
Compost Artisan | Food Sustainability Educator | Regenerative 'Hood | Alignment Coach
It has been slightly more than a year since I quit my day (and only paying) job. It was a dream job that I stumbled into. In the organisation, I met many who inspired just by being who they are; had the room to create and explore many things; and opportunities for lateral growth. I was also very thankful for the other offices around the world - people welcomed me with open arms when I turn up at their offices while on 'holiday'! For a good decade, my work identity was my only identity. I was perfectly happy when I was called back to work, even on public holidays.
It was, simply, an organisation I never expected to leave.
Still, there's the winds of change that life brings. Coaching programs helped me see that there's more to life than what I do in a paid job. Spending time volunteering for causes helped me explore ways to do more, to give more...
There were still many things, but the biggest wave of all was noticing how my own mental health was falling, falling... While I had access to friends & community, no one - not even the closest friends - understood. It got so tough that even taking the next breath was really difficult.
I started taking every Friday off from work. It was something some people understood... and also a tough thing to explain to the people closest to me... so I don't explain. Having an entire day off to myself was disorienting. It was also empowering. It gave me space to be my best self. It gave me space to explore. It gave me the motivation to do what I can when I am at work. It gave me the knowledge that I have the space to breathe; that I can say 'No'; that taking care of myself was a top thing I needed to do.
Still, it got to a point where I struggled to breathe or speak to anyone, even though I was still expected to do some heavy lifting in different parts of my life. I was breaking down when I least expected to. People started mis-understanding me when I found myself unable to communicate the simplest things - simply because I had no energy left in me to do so.
Realising I could no longer meaningfully live and bring goodness to other people in my life was a key factor to helping me decide to leave.
And so I did.
Child Rights | Family & Alternative Care Specialist (Asia) | Community Builder & Facilitator
5 年Your 2nd para sums up & clearly articulate when one is just about to hit rock bottom & fall into an abyss of darkness. I was in a complete paralysis yesterday shutting everyone out...and today to come across this article is simply gift. Walking away and taking the time out to heal now...surely as i [re-calibrate] my next destination. Thank you.
Client Obsessiveness, Organizational Development, Meaningful Change
5 年So much truth here. Thank you for speaking.
Environmentalist. Serial tree planter. Trail building enthusiast.
5 年When we were students, we always had month-long holidays to recharge.? Now as working adults, we are? then expected work 8 hours a day with no stop. Nature has its seasons,? manage your finances and all of us can afford to take a breather! Enjoy while it lasts! You are amazing to work a decade without taking a period to chill!? I couldn't last that long!
Ocean literacy and sustainability strategist
5 年Brave enough to question your own identity and goals in life. Every person (and company/organization) is in a continuous learning and developing process, and it is good to be aware of it, to step off if needed and readjust the course. Take your time