Those who quit their corporate jobs because they couldn't handle the stress, what have you done after quitting?

20 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 12:56PM UTC

   What do you do? Have you been at the same place this whole time or have been a variety of places?

2. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 2:47PM UTC

   I work for a large corporate in the tech sector. It is super stressful. I am on the product side and although I like what I do, I just can't help but think the politics, the stress, and I don't love how the leadership team has been navigating all of the political issues lately. It just feels like Im in this hopeless role and business

3. Karen LJanuary 29,2025 at 1:29PM UTC

   Do not leave without having another job lined up. This job market is terrible and way too competitive! It will take 6 months to over a year to find a job.

4. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 4:20PM UTC

   I agree. The job market doesn’t seem logical at all. I know so many incredibly capable educated people in their prime who are not able to get work!

5. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 1:32PM UTC

   Hi-

   I switched to the nonprofit sector in a related industry/space after realizing that my skills and experience translated well. Significant initial pay cut, but less stressful. Just something to consider as a possibility to explore...

6. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 1:51PM UTC

   This is definitely not a cure all. I had the exact opposite experience moving to a nonprofit.

7. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 4:17PM UTC

   I did the same thing and work at a non profit. It’s crazy, but a different crazy. The initial pay was lower than I’m used to but very workable. Now that I’ve been there for several years the comp has gone up and I really enjoy the work and the difference we make in the community. There have been some weird times because the place is run by a complete psycho. But it’s been entertaining and very different from the old corporate world I was in for over 30 years. Just have reasonable expectations and know that whatever changes you make will not be the perfect stress free job.

8. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 1:58PM UTC

   Hi there, I feel you! Once I had saved and invested a safe amount of money, I left to pursue my side gig full time (meals for dogs). Ian 100% focused on building the brand and key milestone is to make enough to support myself after 2 years.

9. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 2:12PM UTC

   I was laid off (AGAIN) a month ago and after 20 years in martech I am done. We are selling our house this spring (live in a very expensive area of CT) and are moving to "the country" where my husband can still work remotely and I can start a linens business. It is going to be really tight financially but in the end, I know it will be worth it. Good luck!

10. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

    Sorry that happened but that plan sounds really delightful.

11. AnonymousJanuary 29,2025 at 3:34PM UTC

    Worked in corporate, high stress job, and was paid very well then pivoted to higher ed. Which is within state government. It's less stress, less pay, but far better benefits and better time off. Decided the money was not worth the insanity of what I used to do. Decide if the money is worth the insanity. I used to say, why yes, it is. There are stressful cycles of my current job, but in the end, it's far better for my mental health. Decide what matters the most to you and then use your skills that will translate to another industry, such as state work. Hopefully you can set up job alerts within your state system, if it works like ours. Everyone has a fit for you somewhere, I believe it and I'm living it

12. JenJanuary 30,2025 at 3:43PM UTC

    Your feedback is inspiring...my golden handcuffs have become shackles (sales) and I've been looking in state gov't and higher ed. I used to work in higher ed when I was in my 20s, two decades ago. Keeping my fingers crossed.

13. AnonymousJanuary 30,2025 at 9:31PM UTC

    Aw thank you! I was in sales too, and once I left, I left. I still "promote", but in a different way and for the good of the school and students. Where ever you are, look at career centers, employer relations type roles. Sales folks can pivot there, less pay, believe you me, it's not what it used to be, but when I'm off at 5, I'm off. Longer breaks for the winter break, honestly, you can't put a dime on it. Or other state government jobs. Federal is on a hiring freeze and take forever to get in. State workers are safer in a way as when the market tanks, people go back to college that equals more jobs. I also came from higher ed, then went back to corporate and thought I'd NEVER go back, but I did and am happier.

14. JenFebruary 3,2025 at 3:45PM UTC

    Thank you for sharing this additional information. Really helpful.

15. ANDREA RAGGAMBIJanuary 30,2025 at 3:00PM UTC

    Every choice you make for work will require some compromise. I got laid off in the fall of 2023 from a very dysfunctional company that no longer exists. Luckily I had enough savings to take time to decide if I wanted to pursue my own business. I did have some early wins last year and essentially with one contract, I broke even but now find myself digging into my savings. I learned being an entrepreneur takes a whole set of other strengths and the mental fortitude to persist through ambiguity and because I tend to be relatively risk-averse, it has been pretty challenging. I would say, decide what’s important to you outside of what you are resisting right now because there will always be something you don’t enjoy about where you are. Get back to what you value most in life and decide what you are willing to compromise to live most in alignment with those values. I would also recommend doing some personality assessments like the enneagram to better understand yourself and your tendencies, including noticing your patterns so you can decide what you’re truly willing to change in order to get more of what you want.

16. AnonymousJanuary 30,2025 at 3:09PM UTC

    I pivoted first to ministry and then to non-profit work (in the meantime, I got two master's degrees that allowed me to do that.) I never looked back and never regretted it. It was hard, and I would be lying if I didn't say that it took a toll on me financially and emotionally, but I never regretted it.

17. AnonymousFebruary 2,2025 at 1:42PM UTC

    I think it’s important to start off by asking yourself what’s missing from your role. Is it the specific job that creates stress and lack of fulfillment? The limitations in growth? Is it corporate values and pressures to preform or are you feeling unfulfilled by the company’s mission?

    I was in a similar position almost 5 years ago and left my well paying corporate job and worked in the service industry for a couple of years before I went back to school to be a massage therapist. I chose this route because what I valued was:

    1. Helping others and being in a direct helping profession
    2. freedom to make my own schedule, have uninhibited growth potential.

    While it has been a difficult and unromantic journey of uncoupling from the comfort of my corporate life, I will (probably) never look back.

    Id say start by finding what you value and being honest with yourself on if the corporate world, in any capacity, can fulfill that.

    Just remember, that whatever path you take, you’re supported!

    best of luck:)

18. AnonymousFebruary 2,2025 at 2:27PM UTC

    Xo you have to figure out how you got where you are. You made choices that put you in this situation. College major? Your First job? This job? They were all your choices. If they were the choice for you (looking back) then pivot to something that really I interests you. The pay , the duties and the NEW stresses may be very different but you may find it all worthwhile in changing careers.

    Also, no matter what job you have you need to learn how to work through stress. It sounds like that’s not something you are doing right now.

19. AnonymousFebruary 2,2025 at 2:54PM UTC

    Unfortunately, it is a capitalist myth that many have bought into that everyone should have some wonderfully fulfilling job that they love. Most of us just find something we can tolerate that pays pretty good. Best of luck to you.

20. Barbara SpeckFebruary 2,2025 at 7:58PM UTC

    Look at what you love & see if there is a creative business such as photobooth business