I had been working as a graphic designer for a small agency for almost two years. It was my dream job when I first started, but as time went on, I realized that it was becoming a nightmare. My boss was a micro-manager who criticized my work constantly, even though my designs were praised by clients and colleagues. The pay was low, the hours were long, and the office environment was toxic and unprofessional.
I was stuck in a vicious cycle of self-doubt and anxiety, feeling like I could never do enough or be good enough. I started to question my skills and my passion for design, even though it had been my lifelong dream. I lost sleep, lost weight, and lost confidence in myself.
One day, I had a breakdown in the office. My boss had given me a list of changes to make on a design that I had spent hours working on, and it was clear that he didn't trust or respect my judgment. I tried to explain my thought process and reasoning, but he dismissed me and told me to just do what he said. I felt like a puppet, a tool, a robot. I couldn't take it anymore.
I stormed out of the office, tears streaming down my face, and didn't come back for the rest of the day. That night, I couldn't sleep or eat. I knew that I had to make a change, but I also felt scared and unsure. What if I couldn't find another job? What if I failed? What if I had wasted all these years pursuing a dream that was now a nightmare?
The next day, I decided to quit. I wrote a resignation letter that expressed my frustration, disappointment, and anger. I didn't hold back or sugarcoat anything. I also gathered my personal belongings from the office and left without saying goodbye to anyone.
As soon as I stepped out of the office, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I felt free, alive, and powerful. I walked to a nearby park and sat on a bench, taking deep breaths and feeling the sunshine on my face. I knew that I had made the right decision, even if it was scary and uncertain.
Over the next few weeks, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions: sadness, anger, relief, joy, and everything in between. I also started to look for new job opportunities and freelancing gigs, using my design skills to build my portfolio and network with other creatives. It wasn't easy, but it was also a time of healing and growth. I realized that I was more than just my job title, and that my worth and identity didn't depend on the approval or validation of others.
Today, I am still a graphic designer, but I am also so much more. I am a survivor, a fighter, a dreamer. I am grateful for the experience and lessons that came from quitting my old job, and I am proud of myself for taking a stand and prioritizing my mental and emotional well-being.