I quit my banking job last month and not a single person (besides my partner) supported my decision. The money was good, but I spent every waking hour working on spreadsheets, commuting in traffic, or having anxiety inducing nightmares about projects that needed to be finished for a company that doesn’t care about me. After one last mental breakdown, I decided enough was enough.
After 10 years of the grind, I’m finally done. I sold my house and moved out to the country with my husband. I work for a non-profit organization that helps the local elderly community get to their medical appointments on time. I make 25% of my former income and only work a few days a week, but I can definitively say that I feel happy and fulfilled for the first time in years. My former colleagues think I’m crazy, but they never cared about me anyways.
For anyone out there thinking of making the leap of quitting, but afraid of what society might think of you, go for it. Money isn’t everything your boss wants you to think it is.