I quit my job and ruined my life, 7 practical steps to do

Hello, I’m Mohammad Mashayekhi, the creator of FamilyApex. Six years ago, I made a life-changing decision to resign from a high-ranking job in my city. As a husband and father, this choice affected not just me, but my whole family. At first, it felt like I had thrown my life off course. But after a challenging journey full of ups and downs, I eventually found and began to follow my true purpose.

Let me tell you, if your thoughts are, I quit my job and ruined my life, so I should say this isn’t over yet. Although difficult, it’s a start. You have the opportunity to reevaluate who you are and investigate novel prospects while creating an existence which exceeds in line with your actual goals. Having experienced it myself, I was able to find a route for success as well as contentment by being persistent as well as introspective.

Giving up employment might seem like you’re walking into a black hole, particularly if you don’t have a four-year degree to support you. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, people without these kinds of degrees frequently leave their jobs because of rigid work schedules or regulations from their employers, such as the COVID-19 vaccination program. Non-White adults saw an even greater increase in this tendency, citing things including a demand for mobility as well as wanting for movement.

Still, giving up doesn’t necessarily result in regret. According to the same Pew Research Center study, a large number of people who quit occupations around 2021, along with found fresh ones, said their lives had significantly improved, with things like greater work-life balance and higher pay. However, just over half said their perks were better than in their prior positions.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there was a notable increase in job vacancies in the labor market in 2021, indicating a strong employment marketplace. Many people’s decisions to quit their employment, including mine, were probably affected by this trend, which was also mentioned in another BLS study.

There were repercussions to what has been dubbed “The Great Resignation” One significant consequence, according to an IDC poll, was that the employees who stayed had more work to do. Remarkably, of those who left, half went on to work within a similar business, whereas other people pursued other endeavors.

A labor market research conducted in 2023 revealed a low unemployment rate compared to employment opportunities, suggesting a competitive job marketplace. More remuneration and flexible scheduling are now essential components of a happy workplace. Over 50% of the departing employees thought their bosses might have taken action to keep them from leaving.

The Realities of Quitting: Challenges and Consequences

When I first decided to leave my job, I felt hopeful and independent. However, my happiness was short-lived since I soon had to face the unforgiving truth and consequences decision of mine.

1. Financial Struggles: Financial effects were felt and seen almost immediately. Overnight, the consistent salary I had become accustomed to vanished. In an attempt to extend my funds, I found myself carefully planning my spending and eliminating everything but the necessities. There was always tension since you never knew where or how you would get your next payment. I looked at a number of different ways to get money, such as freelancing and temporary employment, which I’d never considered.
2. Career Setbacks: In a professional sense, I felt as though I had stepped off a career ladder and into nothing. I was frequently left second-guessing my choice to resign due to the deluge of queries I received from peers and future employers. It wasn’t very safe to start again while developing a career path. I was concerned about the appearance of the gap in my CV. It was frightening and humbling since it seemed like a fresh start.
3. Emotional and Mental Health Impacts: It was an emotional rollercoaster coming off the quit. From emancipation to intense fear and self-doubt, I felt the full spectrum of emotions. A difficult hole remained after the loss of an organized work environment. My usual interpersonal engagements while working became suddenly chopped off, and I suffered from emotions of loneliness. Deep sorrow, as well as the feeling of being adrift, occurred occasionally.
4. Social and Relationship Changes: my connections and saw a dramatic change. It was an unanticipated loss that I’d missed contact with several coworkers of mine. My social network got smaller, and I started relying more and more on my close friends and family for help. Some of my connections were put to the test and strengthened at this time since I looked to them for both emotional support and wisdom as well as counsel.
5. Identity and Self-Perception: My perspective of myself was one of the biggest shifts. Identity work heavily shaped my identity of mine, so when it disappeared, I was forced to consider my values and identity. Although difficult at the time, this introspective phase resulted in substantial individual development.
6. Adapting to a New Routine: It seemed strange not to have a regular schedule. It seemed liberating at first but also stressful to have to figure out new methods to organize my days. It took some time, but creating a new schedule was essential to my recovery for productivity as well as normalcy.
7. Handling Unpredictability: Having to deal with uncertainty was the hardest part. Anxiety about the future—both emotionally and professionally—was a persistent cause. Acquiring the ability to accept uncertainty and live day by day proved to be a challenging yet worthwhile lesson.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the simple route I had imagined to leave my position. My entire life was impacted by the numerous difficulties and repercussions it brought. On the other hand, it’s additionally time for great personal development. My life and work were eventually more rewarding as a result of being compelled to reassess my objectives and build resilience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recovery

Patience, self-reflection, and a calculated approach were all necessary on my road to recovery following my job resignation. In order to assist others who could be in a similar circumstance, I have provided a thorough, step-by-step instruction based on my experience:

1. Accepting and Understanding Your Decision
   • Deep Reflection: I started by giving my reasons for quitting a lot of thought. I posed difficult questions to myself, like: Was it the poisonous workplace, the yearning for a more rewarding profession, or the stagnated growth? It was essential for me to comprehend these factors in order to accept what I chose. I’ve found that writing down my ideas helped me deal with my feelings of mine.
   • Dealing with Regret and Failure: Feelings of remorse and failure were normal. While allowing me to experience such feelings, I also worked on my self-compassion. Even though this choice was tough, I reminded myself that it was a step in the right direction. I felt less alone in my experience after reading about other people’s experiences that were comparable to mine.
2. Assessing and Stabilizing Your Financial Situation
   • Rigorous Budgeting: I’d made a tight budget after closely examining my money. Utilizing budgeting software, I was able to reduce luxury spending by dividing my costs through requirements as well as wants. It was important for me to manage my lower income that I developed the ability to distinguish between requirements and wants.
   • Diverse Income Sources: I looked into other sources of income to make up for losing a reliable source of income. I used Upwork and Fiverr, freelanced in my area of competence, along looked for temporary employment within other industries. This expanded my professional experience in addition to offering financial comfort.
3. Exploring New Career Opportunities
   • Skill and Interest Assessment: I’ve evaluated my skill set and its potential applications across several businesses. I also determined my areas of weakness and the talents that employers valued. I thought about hobbies of mine as well as interests and how they may be used in profession.
   • Active Networking: Discovering new prospects requires networking. I joined professional groups on LinkedIn, made contact with old coworkers, and went to webinars and online conferences for the business. Because I’d been honest regarding circumstances of mine, I occasionally received helpful advise and unanticipated employment opportunities.
4. Investing in Personal Growth and Skills Development
   • Educational Pursuits: In keeping with my interests and field, I enrolled in online courses. For acquiring new skills and being current with industry trends, platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning have proven to be essential. In order to facilitate networking and learning at the same time, I also attended workshops and webinars.
   • Developing New Hobbies and Skills: It was soothing and enlightening to pursue interests that I had ignored. I looked into photography, which turned into a passionate pastime and maybe a possible career path. My passion for writing inspired me to launch a weblog, which ultimately improved my online presence.
5. Focusing on Mental and Physical Health
   • Mental Health Practices: In order to control my tension and anxiety, I started meditating and practicing mindfulness. Participating in group meditation sessions and taking a local yoga class helped me to feel more connected to the community and myself.
   • Physical Activity: Exercise routines, including cycling, jogging, and at-home exercises, were vital. It contributed to stress reduction and physical health maintenance, both of which were important in this uncertain time.
6. Building and Relying on a Support System
   • Leveraging Personal Relationships: My emotional support system consisted primarily of friends and family. I felt more understood and supported after having open discussions about my worries as well as difficulties.
   • Professional Help: One choice I made which gave myself abilities to cope as well as transitional management techniques was to search for professional therapy. I could communicate honestly there and get objective advice.
7. Planning and Setting Future Goals
   • Setting Achievable Short-term Goals: My short-term goals were realistic and doable, such as finishing a certain program and developing a tiny clientele of freelancers. These objectives gave me a feeling of purpose as well as achievement.
   • Long-term Vision: I’d additionally created an overarching professional vision. This required weighing my options, which included switching to a different industry, creating myself a company, and going back into a corporate position. I felt motivated and had a purpose when I had a long-term goal.

Finally, this route of healing and self-discovery involved more than simply changing careers. Improved self-awareness, fostering resilience, and developing an open and flexible attitude to deal with life’s uncertainties were the main goals. Even though it was difficult, the experience proved enlightening and life-changing, fostering individual development while offering me a more distinct perspective for the future.

Reintegrating into the Workforce

Reintegrating back into the workforce was a critical stage that came after getting through the first shock and healing period of quitting my job. During this phase, I focused on using my recuperation time experiences to my advantage, along with turning onto marketable skills for employment.

• Strategies for Reentering the Job Market: Making a plan for my re-entry presented the first hurdle. With the additional knowledge and expertise I picked up throughout my vacation, I updated my résumé. Freelance jobs, charity labour, as well as each pertinent class and seminar I’d finished, were all included. By emphasizing how this time contributed to my professional life, I customized covering papers to accommodate the job gap. This was an important case of networking. I maintained professional relationships on LinkedIn and other professional social media sites, went to industry events, and reconnected with former coworkers.
• Overcoming the Stigma of a Career Gap: A combination of tact and honesty was needed when addressing the career gap during interviews. I gave a candid explanation of my leave of absence, focusing on the benefits—such as improved skills and personality development, including focus on my professional objectives. Rather than portraying this as a period of idleness, it proved crucial to explain it as an active option for professional along personal growth.
• Utilizing Newfound Skills and Experiences: My time off allowed me to develop personal skills and experiences that would have been beneficial to employers in addition to helping me in my career. By showcasing my versatility and dedication to lifelong learning, I’ve emphasized the manner in which these recently obtained talents may help the company. New technical talents, improved social abilities, and even greater comprehension of market patterns were all examples of this.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance in New Endeavors

The value of striking a healthy work-life balance was among the most important things I learned when I quit my job. Resuming this equilibrium was a primary objective for me as I entered the workforce.

• Strategies for Achieving a Healthy Work-Life Balance: Regarding work hours and obligations, I establish clear guidelines. Saying “no” and setting priorities wisely become vital life skills. In order to maintain my mental health, I also made sure to schedule time for my family and personal hobbies.
• Learning from Past Experiences to Avoid Burnout: I was resolved not to experience burnout again since I could still clearly remember what it was like. I started to recognize initial indicators for fatigue as well as adopted preventative measures to deal with stress, such frequent exercise, engaging in occupations, including practicing mindfulness.
• Setting Realistic Career and Personal Life Goals: From now on, my objectives were not only focused on my work but also on my own ideals and life aspirations. This required me to look for possibilities that would complement my entire life objectives and provide mobility as well as a community in addition to training options.

Handling Career Transitions After Divorce

My professional path became more clear to me once I quit my job. It was a chance to take a look at options I’d not previously explored and welcome changes.

• Accepting Novel Career Routes or Sectors: I was able to investigate concerns for areas I’d not previously thought about during the hiatus. Finding a job that was more in line with my interests and abilities drove me through this thrilling yet intimidating exploring phase.
• Adapting to Different Corporate Cultures or Work Environments: Reentering the job market sometimes requires adjusting to new work settings or corporate cultures. In order to be sure we would be a good fit, I spent time researching corporate cultures both before and during the interview process.
• Continuous Learning and Skill Adaptation: Being relevant in the ever-changing employment environment requires a dedication to lifelong education. I’ve frequently updated my skills, been open to learning new approaches to work and thinking, and kept up with industry changes.

Conclusion

To summarize, there were many obstacles, opportunities for learning, and personal development along the way of leaving a workforce of mine to pursue another career. While it tried my fortitude, that time also gave me perspective as well as a fresh feeling for direction. If you find yourself in a similar situation, keep in mind that finding a new work isn’t the only thing you need to do. You also need to figure out what your true beliefs are as well as tie your job to them. Welcome the period to be a chance for personal development as well as exploration, while have faith which will result in an extra contented as well as well-rounded existence.

FAQs

1. How do you explain a career gap after quitting a job?

Although it might be difficult to explain a professional hiatus, being honest and emphasizing the good things in life are essential. Talking about the gap as a time for professional and personal development, I emphasize the fresh knowledge and expertise acquired. Communicating that this break was a calculated move in your professional development rather than a sabbatical is crucial.

2. What are some effective strategies for job hunting after a long break?

Building a network is essential. Get in touch with old coworkers along with contacts in the business. Keep your LinkedIn page up to date alongside interacting with pertinent material. Adapt your CV  to showcase your most recent experiences and abilities. In your cover letter and during the interview, be ready to constructively address your career gap.

3. How can you turn the experience of quitting a job into a positive one during interviews?

Pay attention to development as well as education which took place while you were on vacation. Talk about how this time improved your abilities, helped you define what you want out of life, and helped you become an additional well-rounded expert. Highlight your rekindled passion as well as your preparedness to make a significant contribution within your fresh position.

4. What steps can you take to avoid burnout in your new job?

Establish and abide by clear limits when it comes to work-life balance. Set job priorities and can refuse when it’s not appropriate. Make time in your daily agenda for self-care and regular breaks. Take proactive measures to address initial indicators of stress by being aware of them.

5. How do you adapt to a new industry or corporate culture after a break?

Conduct in-depth research on the business culture and industry. Keep your mind and work open to fresh ideas. Be receptive to new information and flexibility. Find colleagues and mentors who may guide you through unfamiliar surroundings. Take your time adjusting to the new situation.

6. Can quitting a job lead to better opportunities?

Without a doubt. Giving up a job may allow you to take advantage of novel chances that better suit your career as well as your personal objectives. It has the potential to spark a shift that results in a more rewarding professional path that better fits interests along with skill set.

7. How important is continuous learning and skill adaptation in today’s job market?

This is quite significant. In order to remain relevant in the ever-changing employment environment, one must dedicate themselves to lifelong learning. This means being aware of market trends and developing new skills while remaining receptive to innovative approaches and technological advancements.

8. What advice would you give to someone feeling hesitant about quitting their job?

Think about the possible repercussions and carefully assess your motivations for wanting to stop. Budget for the changeover. Consult with specialists or dependable mentors for advice. It’s important to keep in mind that this choice might lead to an exciting new chapter in your life, but it should also be done carefully.