Back in January, I quit my job. I thought it might be useful or interesting to talk in general terms about what that's been like and how quitting my job has affected my life.
Using my time
With no boss to report to, I did…a lot. I stepped up my volunteer work to 2-5 days a week depending on my energy level, ran and lifted weights, played video games, saw friends, worked on some personal projects, and in addition to that I also spent a decent amount of time idling and reflecting.
How not working felt
Broadly speaking, awesome. Only a couple of weeks in my roommate described me as possessing new mojo. At no point did I regret my choice or wish I was back at work. I will allow that not bringing in money does create some ambient anxiety for a little while (it feels wrong at first on some level!) but that's nothing compared to the stress of working.
Recommendations for current and future antiworkers
- If you have some control over how you are going to leave your job, I highly recommend giving as much notice as you feel comfortable with (assuming you're not just going to get sacked on the spot or whatever). It will give you more time to think about what you're going to do with yourself + get psychologically used to the idea of bringing in little to no money for a while.
- There is simply no substitute for doing things you care about with other people who do the same, preferably IRL/meatspace, and leaning into those activities did wonders for my mood, energy level, and overall morale.
- Things you tried to do or found obnoxiously difficult while you had a job? Give 'em another go once you're permanently off the clock and you might be surprised at the results. (Yes, this applies to dating too, if that's the boat you're in.)
- I definitely encourage using one's newly free time to also repair or attend to their existing social network and family. Having more time to deepen existing friendships was a major upside of not working, and if you have more freedom of movement and activity than other people in your life, you should take advantage and go to them.
- I ALSO recommend just doing nice stuff for your people if you have dead time in your day. Here's an example: there was a giant, infuriating outgrowth of weeds in my building's rear entrance, making the whole area much seedier and, frankly, more p*ss-reeking. Our landlord was never going to do anything about it. So one morning I got some garbage bags and a vegetable cleaver and got to work. It only took me 2.5 hours to clean up probably five years' (more?) worth of growth. Instant quality of life upgrade for 12+ people. Tell me that's not time well spent!
Working again
About two months ago I started thinking, based on my remaining $$, that I was going to have to start bringing in some dough again pretty soon. I considered taking some temporary or contract work in my former field, but the thought of being at a desk 9-5, M-F again for any length of time was intensely depressing. So I came up with a plan to pick up some more physical work in line with the volunteer work I was already doing anyway.
Starting soon, I'll be working three (long) days a week, making a lot less than I did at my old gig but with zero screen time and four days a week to myself. I have some ideas for making a little money on the side in those days if I have to or feel like it, but I'll be able to get by on part-time now that wages have gone up a bit here for entry-level work (and thanks to cohabitation, my expenses are quite low).
And hey, if it sucks ass I can always quit!