Well, it’s official – I gave my resignation at my full-time job today. I haven’t mentioned what I do much on this blog for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being that I’ve been looking to leave for a while – to spend more time at home and to have more time to devote to my own projects – and it’s been hard to figure out how to talk about work without bringing my future plans into the conversation. So I decided just to keep quiet all the way around until my resignation was official – which it is now. Hooray!!!
Part of what has made leaving easier is that I’ve been asked to stay on in a part-time capacity (seasonally, though). So I don’t feel like I have to say goodbye to a community that I’ve come to love. It also gives my family some financial stability while I slowly transition over (hopefully, someday) to having my own projects – the bookstore, this blog and my programs – being my sole source of income. In order for that to happen though, I need to have more time to devote to them. Which I will have as of the end of April! I am so VERY excited!
I’m also picking up a very new project – it’s not official yet, and it’s WAY different in terms of professional work I’ve done, but it’s relevant to this website. I’ll share that project in detail when it becomes official – sometime in April.
Holy cow – I’m going to be free from full-time work in just over four weeks!! I’m scared and excited. Have you ever left a safe, stable environment for the unknown? How did that work out for you? I’d love to hear people’s stories in the comments.
I’ll be certain to keep updates going on the blog, since I’ll be more free to talk about work soon. Wish me luck!!!
I wish you GREAT good luck!
Diane Tucker
Thank you Diane!!!
Best of luck sweetie!!! I so, so wish I could venture more into the unknown with a career, but I know I need to have a certain amount of stability (mentally and financially) before I can make those kinds of changes. But I think about them often, and right now I’m working to get us out of debt and then see where we go from there. Maybe in a couple of years I’ll get to join you on this kind of adventure! I’m sure you will do FANTASTIC in anything you choose. 🙂
Thanks Kate!!! I’m thankful that we’re more or less in a position where I can have a cut in income, and we can still be alright. We could be in a better place financially, but as my husband has pointed out, if I wait for the perfect moment it will never come!
BTW… I think I owe you call!! 🙂
Yay! Congratulations! And, yes, I did the same thing last July. Luckily, I was also able to contract with my old employer to keep some stability. They remain my biggest client. Things are going great here. It’s scary, but awesome. You get to do what you love! Have fun. Can’t wait to hear more!
Thanks Jennifer! It’s encouraging to hear success stories from folks in a similar place. I’m very optimistic, along with my nervousness. 🙂
Oh boy..both exciting and scary all at the same time..I didn’t change job so I can’t share a story like that..but I admire your courage..You go girl!!!!!
Thanks Michelle!
Years ago, I left a stable, if unexciting job, to venture out into the great unknown. That was before I had a mortgage. I quit a job as a local newspaper editor to go on a 7.5 month backpack, and I’m so glad I did. I eventually did return to the work force, and this is my third full-time job since then. I’m at the point in my life where quitting this job is not really an option. Retirement is only a few years off now. I wish you good fortune in your own step off into the unknown. No matter what happens, having the freedom to do this will change you and make you stronger and more resilient for whatever happens afterward.
I’d have to agree that a 7 and 1/2 month backpacking trip is definitely worth leaving a job for. 🙂 I have several friends who have left jobs to hike the Appalachian Trail, and it changed their lives.
Thanks for sharing your story Carolyn!