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You’ve read that story all over the interwebs – a millennial quits their stuffy job to break free from the corporate world, to go travel the world and find themselves, takes up odd jobs overseas, and returns home with a new idea, begins their startup journey. And s/he lives happily ever after.
As great as that story sounds, that’s not the story I’m here to tell you.
Six months ago, I quit my corporate job.
Yes, I was unhappy at my job, but I loved the people I worked with. I didn’t see myself at this job or company for the rest of my working life, but most of all I didn’t see myself at any desk job for the rest of my life. I really don’t think I’m made for the corporate world!
However, this was the life I had trained for, the life I had chosen as an accountant. You don’t see many accountants away from their desks. Yes, many go on to become CEOs and CFOs or other exciting roles, but they have to endure many excel spreadsheets and auditors on their way.
So I did what many people think is brave. I left my corporate job, without a plan to travel. Heck, I left without a plan.
I thought, instead of spending the 50-70 hours at work plus all the hours I thought about work when I was not at work, I would have time to explore the things I enjoyed, to learn new skills, to work on new projects. It is not a decision I came about lightly.
Outside the corporate world
Somedays I feel stupid, other days I am grateful for the ability to make this change. But every day I wake up content, and ready to take on the world with a smile on my face.
Whatever your reasons are, whether it is for your mental health, to give yourself space and time to think, or to get out of a toxic environment, it is ultimately your decision and your sense of adventure that will guide you.
Since I’ve made that my reality, I know that it would take a lot out of me to go back to a corporate desk job. I enjoy the freedom, and the creativity I’m able to express since I’ve left my job.
Of course, with such a major life decision, I have so far learned a few lessons, along the way, that I was unprepared for!
So I’m here to share what I’ve learned since I’ve left the corporate world!
Lesson #1: You’ll have start defining yourself outside of work
Between networking events, meeting new people, the first question has always been “what do you do?”
It used to be a straightforward answer, I’d proudly proclaim, I’m an accountant. After all, I’d worked hard for it, I studied, worked busy seasons, paid my dues. The corporate world for me was a great place to have a sense of professional self. It was easy to talk about the work I did, and I would have knowledgable conversations about the industry!
Today, I can still fall back on that answer, but I have a much harder time speaking to people and telling them what I do. It was these moments that made me realize how much I defined myself with the work that I did.
I didn’t really know too much about myself outside of the value that was placed on my work.
Nowadays, my answer is something closer to, I’m an accountant by trade, but I’m currently working on a few projects.
Lesson #2: You’ll have to get out of your comfort zone
On Day 1 of my funemployment, I decided to google, what to do once you quit your job. Most people online advise you firstly – do not to quit your corporate world without a plan. But I had already taken the dive. Now what?
So I fell back on safety, on the advice of my husband, I signed up for the CFA level 3 exam – the last grueling exam for the certified financial analyst designation. Even though it kept me busy, and I didn’t hate studying, I do think my time might have been better spent learning new skills or thinking about the new projects that I wanted to take on.
Whether you start your own business, start a side hustle, travel, work part-time or just take the break you need, it will be out of your comfort zone.
Lesson #3: Life will keep you busy!
For me, I realized the reason I had felt like my only option was to quit was because I desperately needed a mental break.
I needed to step back and focus on myself. Since I’ve left my job, I’ve made a lot of changes in my life. I’ve started to eat better, mostly because I’ve had more time to cook for myself. I want to spend time on myself. But many days I feel guilty, I feel like I’m being an unproductive part of society.
However, I think this will take time to get over, and realize that working to create a better life yourself is something you should feel guilty about!
Lesson #4: Your next step may seem tiny
I had deluded myself into thinking that if I thought hard enough, I’d come up with the next big idea, and then magically my decision was justified!
Over the last few months, I’ve learned a lot of things, I’ve become more self-aware but there hasn’t been a bright bulb.
However, I’ve had the capacity to think about several ideas, I’ve had the mental capacity to learn new skills, and I’ve definitely become more self-aware, which I would have never been able to do if I had been in my corporate job!
Lesson #5: You will overthink your decisions
If you do have an idea for your next step, do something about it!
I know it’s easier said than done. It is so easy to overthink everything. But if you have an idea or even an inkling of an idea, do something about it. Write it down, talk to people, however you best process information. Thinking about it on your own will drive you crazy, I promise you that!
This is in no way permission to quit your job, but maybe take a break to understand what’s next for you!