How did you afford to leave?

Anonymous

October 3,2021 at 2:43PM UTC

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How did you afford to leave?

With so many people leaving their jobs right now due to burnout and other issues related to the pandemic, I often wonder what did people plan to do when they walked away?

If you left your job in the last 6-12 months, did you have another job lined up? Did you start your own business? Did you have a side hustle that took off? Or did you just cut back at home and learned to live on less?

I’m truly curious because I’m at that point and I’m unsure how to proceed. I am a director in a small organization and I’m badly burned out. We never closed durning the pandemic (started working from home) and we’ve been busy everyday. My boss called me in for a meeting and said “it feels like you are letting off the gas”. I agreed and told him I was exhausted (this job is mentally and emotionally exhausting). His response? He put me on a 60 day performance improvement plan. No acknowledgement that I’m burned out, just ‘you need to work harder’.

I’m done. But, we need my income due to paying for long term care for an elderly family member.

I’m looking at expanding my consulting business but I’m worried about the financial impact on my family.

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AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 3:08PM UTC
I didn't think about it. I had enough and turned in my 2 week notice. I would have been there 30 years in a few months but mentally and physically I was done. It was time for them and for me. Thankfully we have a good savings and essentially no bills. I am back to working part time after taking a few months to mentally recover from a bad manager and terrible leadership. I definitely watch my spending now.
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 4:54PM UTC
Sometimes I think the worst financial mistake I ever made was deciding not to get married. :-(
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 3:22PM UTC
I'm working and watch every dime. My organization went through a merger on Friday and although I made it past, I'm still nervous. You NEVER know.
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 4:25PM UTC
I am lucky to live near a Univ that offers studies. Some are medical (I rarely do those), most are not. It's not a lot of money, but it's also not a lot of work/not hard work. Of course, I'm not working now, so I have the luxury of time. Next week I'm doing a 2 part study (an hour one day, almost a full day the next) that pays $275/cash. I can't make a living doing this, but extra money never hurts. Maybe you can find something along those lines?
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 4:52PM UTC
No advice but you are not alone. I'm at that point too but I'm a lone breadwinner and have little savings, been trying to build the "oh sh*t" fund for years but my house and car keep falling apart. Praying and hoping I can find something else soon.
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 5:04PM UTC
I attacked this very issue with a comprehensive plan because I was about to have a breakdown on all fronts.
My employer had an EAP program where I was able to gain assistance from a mental help professional immediately. 5 sessions later I made a plan that addressed ongoing therapy, a health coach through my primary care physician who took a battery of tests and provided me with a nutrition & supplement plan together with exercise recommendations to address my health. After a few months this I was feeling stronger and clearer do I felt I could keep my burnout improving. I did all of this while I had benefits and was working. I then started scheduling the balance of my pto for regular long weekends to work on my resume and professional profiles, etc. And planned my job search and networking. I had to do things in order because I couldn't show up for interviews burnedout and desperate and expect offers.
The entire reboot took me 5 months. I used my benefits and perks while working so I could maximize my support while using my salary to buy me time. I knew if I didn't make solid plans I would crash and burn and not be able to standup on my own because it was soo bad that my job was robbing me of my health, happiness and future ....not just career.
I accepted a job that was a small cut in pay but offered great benefits so I could finish my therapy ( yes it's not forever) and allowed me to get my health back. I work regular hours and enjoy my colleagues. It's not where I thought I would be but it is definitely a healthier and more satisfying place to be.
You can do this too. Start with drafting a plan and while you're still employed attend to your health and do what you can to improve you performance at work. Plan baby steps but really build on your plan.
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 1:46AM UTC
It's amazing how calm and clear you get when you're working on your own plan to exit. The effort in addressing your health and well-being becomes your focus and your work gets done but takes a backseat to you and your life . Suddenly you can see light at the end if the tunnel and you can breathe again.
Jackie RukaOctober 3,2021 at 6:36PM UTC
First off, I am sorry you are experiencing this.
I left a toxic 70 hour work week in phases so I could utilize all of my benefits, PTO time and resources to my advantage.
I understand you are done and my suggestion , as an expert in this field, is to first change your mindset. Look at your current job as a bridge toward your freedom plan. Which we help women create her plan and pivot gracefully.
The 3 phases are intention, strength and leverage.
Set an intention with a date, decide where and how you will utilize all of your strengths, expertise and experience and leverage toward a greater, better , healthier lifestyle that fits you instead of you trying to fit it.
You are certainly welcome to set up a complimentary consultation to determine your options and not do this by yourself but with the support you require to create positive change.
Please connect to learn more about your options.
In your corner!
Jackie
https://jackieruka.as.me/nextlevel
Founder of Rise to Thrive Program for Women
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 6:43PM UTC
I can't afford to quit with nothing else lined up. I'm a single mom supporting my children and life.
I live on a modest lifestyle so I can retire one day.
AnonymousOctober 3,2021 at 7:16PM UTC
I had contemplated quitting and switching industries for year, but I never followed through. After this year I was completely burnt out so I just had to do it and mot give myself any other options. I made sure to quit in a time that worked with the pay periods- allowing me about 2 weeks of payment. That plus my paid out vacation got me through about 4-5 weeks. That made me work EXTRA hard and focus on getting a new job. I did it in 4 weeks! Switched industries and everything.
Caroline K Lenher, CMCOctober 3,2021 at 7:22PM UTC
Congratulations! this takes courage and perseverance and fierceness...you rock!!!
Allison LaRockOctober 4,2021 at 12:03AM UTC
I would ALWAYS recommend having another job lined up first, or making sure you have a good savings account buffer. First I would start looking into companies and interviewing at the very least and hang on until you can't stand it any longer. We all need to make money, but burn out is real and can affect your health. You have to do what you have to do for you.
Crystal RhinebergerOctober 4,2021 at 12:34PM UTC
I took the debt steps. What debts could pay off and get rid of such as car payment.
Could i get ahead on my escrow on the house (that way if there’s a shortage I could keep up).
While credit card debt is hefy on a score, I felt the big payments were what was needing the most attention
AnonymousOctober 4,2021 at 3:17PM UTC
I left my toxic job 3 weeks ago and it was the best decision ever. When I quit, I didn't have another job lined up (risky I know) but applied for jobs within my industry and I started my new job today.
Do you have enough money saved up? I would go ahead and put in your notice now. The financial part may be a little bit hard right now, but your mental health is just as important.
Jennifer WehrendOctober 5,2021 at 1:32AM UTC
When you left your job, and went on interviews, how did you respond to the question as to why you left your previous job?
AnonymousOctober 5,2021 at 7:42AM UTC
I'm also sorry you're going though this! I agree with Jackie - the option to look at your current job as a "get me through to something better," so you can hold onto your income while you transition. Perhaps you can make it crystal clear that you're burning out and prolonged sick leave would be bad for everyone. Or is there someone else in your organization who can help champion you? I wish you all the best in finding a better place, both workwise and mentally. Stay strong!
AnonymousOctober 5,2021 at 1:36PM UTC
I just resigned my job today and no I don’t have any lined up. My story is very similar to yours. I couldn’t take the stress anymore, was put on a PIP. I will look for a new job, maybe try contracting so it will give me the flexibility. I realise that no job is worth our mental health and happiness.