Today I resigned from the job I’ve had for nearly 12 years without a next step in mind.
I won’t lie. It was scary.
But it was necessary.
The job I used to love had turned into something untenable, so it was time.
Now I’m jittering and having a glass of wine and certainly not writing a full-length blog post.
You’d think I’d have a plan for what I’m going to do next. Um, not really.
For the time being I’m going to write.
I just finished draft 11 of my (old, beloved) WIP and sent it to my critique partner. While I wait to hear back I’ll draft some more of my new shiny WIP, affectionately named “Desert” (because it’s set in a desert).
Then I will magically become a millionaire and never have to look for another job.
Wish me luck!
Do you have any comments that might make me think this wasn’t a terrible idea? Any advice?
Follow my blog and you may hear the end to this saga.
Oh wow! I am impressed, that’s so brave! I don’t know if I could ever do that!
I’ve been unmotivated and fed up in my job for about 2 years now (well my job I like, but the company is the problem and my job doesn’t really exist anywhere else), I need a change but I know any change available to me likely means a big pay cut so I keep thinking “at least the money is good” while I try to figure what direction I want to take.
I hope this means more blog and writing while you work things out 🙂
Thank you! I’m not sure it was really that brave, though. I’ve been saving hard while I’ve been working so I have some wiggle room, and hubby can help support me while I flail.
Sorry to hear about your job issues. That’s a difficult position to be in, and not too unlike mine. My old job doesn’t really exist anywhere else, and I’ve accepted I’m likely to take a huge pay cut to my next job. I can live with that.
Figuring out what next can be the hard part–I decided I’d never answer that question without trying other things. Maybe you should take the leap?
Definitely–it will be blogging and writing all the way! 🙂
That was a very courageous thing to do, so you deserve to feel proud if a bit trembly. The magical millionaire status may not happen right away, but if it does, it couldn’t happen to a nicer person 🙂
That’s too kind of you! I am hoping for a lottery win, though it’s unlikely since I’m not buying any tickets.
That really must be scary! But exciting as well to see what comes next, and so necessary when it sounds like it wasn’t a place you wanted to be any longer. I’m hoping this means lots of good writing energy and space, and you can tick ‘millionaire’ off your to-do list very soon!
I’ve been loving having more head space for writing while I’ve been working reduced hours recently, and when I can finally draw a line under my old work I think it will be even better. I’m less clear how I’ll get to ‘millionaire’, but I have faith! 😉
You never would have made the next step without taking this one first, so no matter what, this is forward progress! My wife and I both took this step at different times and couldn’t be happier about it. I know you’ll find where you want to be as well!
Thanks for the vote of confidence! It’s great to hear it worked out well for you and your wife. 🙂
I hear you – waiting for that magical millionaire-dom to hit here too. 😀 … Huge congrats on leaping without a parachute. What an adventure. 😀
Yes! Adventure! That’s the word I was looking for. Not, omg-what-have-I-done. Here’s hoping for magical millionaire-doms all around.
It sucks that the job you used to love became so frustrating, but that’s life sometimes. Mad respect for quitting it. Whatever you decide to do next, I hope you’ll be happier and have lots of energy for writing! 😀
Thanks! What I’m looking forward to most is being able to draw a line under all my unfinished business from the last 12 years and say, nope, not my problem any more. I’m sure that’s going to free up a lot of energy for writing. 🙂
This takes me back to a few years ago when I did the same, things were slowly getting worse at my job and in a small business the owner being a toxic manager makes things unbearable! (It was so bad, after I left three other staff also quit!)
Even though I gradually reduced my hours until there were barely any left and saved up enough to keep me going a while, it still felt so scary. I wobbled around between blogging and trying to write for a few years, did the MA in Creative Writing, and I’ve finally nearly finished my first draft (4 chapters left!). I’m still waiting to become a millionaire, bought a few lottery tickets but nothing yet xD
Quitting was liberating though, I learned a lot about myself and had time to improve as a writer without other obligations in the way.
Good luck with it all 😀
Good on you for taking the leap! Sometimes you just need to get away from a job.
I admire you for following your dream of writing seriously. I feel like I should have more time for writing, but I’m still working a bit and trying to get rid of those pesky obligations.
Good luck with your lottery punts! 🙂