Ready to Escape the Working World? Do This First!

For many multipotentialites, variety is key. We thrive on wearing different hats on different days and we find fulfillment where others might find chaos. This is why so many of us find that a typical 9-to-5 just doesn’t work. The rigidity of roles and routine can be truly stifling. 

But sometimes, what drives us to ditch regular employment is simply the idea we have of who we are and what we should be doing. The rhetoric that “true” multipotentialites are creatives, entrepreneurs and freelancers not beholden to any corporation is misguided and can prevent us from enjoying the benefits of working for someone else: from stable income to professional development. If you’re feeling uncertain about whether or not to leave the rat race behind, read on!

How to know when it’s time to quit

In previous generations, any real job was a job for life. It didn’t matter whether you were fulfilled or what perks you got—all that mattered was that you had a steady income, good healthcare and a nice pension to make it all worth it in the end. 

Though times have changed, there is still a level of guilt that comes when we think about leaving the workforce, especially in difficult economic times like these. We can wonder if we’re simply expecting too much from working life or maybe going through a rough patch that we need to ride out. You might tell yourself that you should feel grateful that you even have a job and stop complaining or that your chances of succeeding in going it alone are next to none. But the truth is, our work life has a huge impact on our wellbeing, and so it’s imperative that we choose a career path that feels right for us, and that we don’t stay in a job or company that could well be damaging our mental health.

So, how do you know when it really is time to quit? Here are a few tell tale signs that either your job, your company or both deserve the boot.

1. You have more bad days than good days. It’s unrealistic to expect everyday to be exciting, productive or meaningful. Some days you’ll get bad feedback, other days you’ll clash with a colleague and others still you’ll wonder if you’re any good at your job. This is all normal and part of the package. But this shouldn’t be your every day. The good should outweigh the bad, otherwise it might be time to consider moving on.
2. You’re not learning anything new. This doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone but most of us—especially multipotentialites—need to feel like we’re progressing and facing new challenges in order to feel fulfilled. If you’re in a job you could do with your eyes closed, it may have passed its expiration date.
3. You dread going to work. We all get Monday Blues and the occasional desire to swap working life for the kept life. But again, this should be irregular and fleeting. If you consistently feel a genuine sense of dread when going to work, or even thinking about going to work, something has to change.
4. You feel unsupported, harassed or bullied. If your workplace does not feel like a safe environment…get out! Of course, try the official channels of making complaints and liaising with HR, but if these fail to rectify the solution, your safety is far more important than any job.
5. Your behavior changes. Sometimes there isn’t anything inherently wrong with your job or your company. But you notice yourself snapping at your colleagues, slacking off, producing work way below your capability level and generally checking out. In this case, barring any personal issues that are affecting your overall mood, it’s probably time to move on. It doesn’t matter if you can’t come up with a specific reason; sometimes your intuition is just telling you it’s time to go.

To be honest, you could apply this litmus test to almost any situation: a friendship, a romantic relationship, a housing situation, a business partnership. The most important thing is that you trust your gut and remember that you must move past feelings of guilt and indebtedness and prioritize your health and wellbeing. I’m reminded of these lyrics from “Anti-Depressant,” a song by one of my favorite artists Londrelle: “In order for you to grow, you have to stop watering dead situations.” And that’s that on that.

Try this before quitting

Okay so, maybe you’ve looked at the checklist above and you’re convinced it’s time to throw in the towel. But remember that wonderful steady paycheck and professional development opportunities I mentioned earlier? These and other perks of working life are not to be snubbed. Maybe there’s a way you can keep them while finding more fulfillment. As long as your reason for quitting isn’t a toxic environment, why not stick around and try these hacks first?

1. Change the scope of your job. When a company values you and your wellbeing, they’ll do all they can to ensure you feel happy at work. So don’t be afraid to speak to your manager or HR about making some changes to your role if you think it will help. It could be taking on more or less responsibility, putting some untapped skills to use or even changing teams. It’s a good idea to approach your company with some ideas on how your role can be better suited to your current needs and use this as a starting point for negotiations. Who knows, you could even come out with a promotion!
2. Try a different job or company! You might think you’re totally over working life and it’s simply not for you. But could it just be that this particular style of working life isn’t for you? Maybe you need to try a laid-back startup environment instead of the super corporate one you’re in now. Or maybe you need to find a job that’s more creative. Perhaps you want to try hybrid working instead of being in an office five days a week. Especially in the wake of the pandemic, there are so many different ways to work. You might find that you LOVE working for someone else…if you only have to see your colleagues twice a week and you get paid to do what you’re really passionate about.
3. Follow your passions on evenings and weekends. If your job isn’t giving you the opportunity to let your creative side run wild, could this be something you prioritize in your spare time? Being mindful not to overexert yourself, you could join a creative community, start classes in your preferred creative field or hit the craft store and make evenings your crafting time. Honoring your need for creativity outside of work can bring a better balance to your overall lifestyle, making you feel more whole.
4. Start a side hustle. You know that passion you want to quit your job for? Could you first try doing it on the side of your job? For many, myself included, having a side hustle is the first taste of freelancer or entrepreneurial life. It’s a low-risk way to test out a new path, build up your skills and client list, and get that jolt of fulfillment we’re always chasing. Again, it’s important to ensure you maintain balance, allowing enough time for rest—but if you feel you can manage both a main hustle and a side hustle, you may find that this is the perfect balance for you!

IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GROW, YOU HAVE TO STOP WATERING DEAD SITUATIONS.

Londrelle, “Anti-Depressant”

Ready to go it alone? Here’s your action plan.

Okay so maybe you’ve tried the ideas above and you’re still over it. Or your workplace is just too toxic to handle and you need a break from the working world. You’re 100% ready to quit. I support you! But it’s important that you quit the right way to prepare yourself as much as possible for what’s on the other side. Here are my top tips.

1. Save money. This seems like an obvious one but when you’re itching to leave a job it can be easily overlooked. Spend some time planning—really planning—how much money you need in savings. If you’ll be starting a business, you need to calculate your start-up costs and your living expenses for the time it will take you to start earning an income for yourself. It’s better to over budget than under budget in this scenario! Once you have a number, calculate how long it will take you to save that amount. Can you stick out your job for that long? If not, can you be even more frugal to get to that figure faster? Or maybe you need to reach out to your network for support. Whatever the plan, it’s much easier to make it happen when you’re clear on the amount needed and your timelines.
2. Make a plan. Your next phase doesn’t start from the day you leave your job, it starts from now—the moment you decide you need a change. What new skills do you need to develop? What services do you need to procure? What favors do you need to call in from friends and family? Are there any legal considerations you need to make? Figure out everything you need to do to become a freelancer or business owner or whatever your next step is. And then schedule these tasks over the coming weeks so that you’re not trying to do everything all at once. If you do all this in advance, your first day flying solo will feel a lot less stressful.
3. Use your notice period to your advantage. Some people hate notice periods. Whether it’s two weeks or three months, it can feel like a punishment for leaving your job, especially if colleagues become hostile. However, you can view your notice as a kind of blessing. Those around you expect you to check out, so you should do exactly that. I’m not advocating you slack off and leave your colleagues in a lurch. But instead of working at 100% you could work at, say, 60%. Make sure the work gets done sure, but there’s no need to go over and above now. With your extra energy, you can get started on little tasks for your life after work. Spend 30 minutes here setting up your new email address and an hour there designing your new logo. Take advantage of the paid-for subscriptions you won’t have access to after you’re gone and—if it won’t cause issues—reach out to some of your close clients and contacts to let them know what your next move is. One of them could become your first client!

Find your fit

The 9-to-5 has gotten pretty bad press in recent years, and with good reason. But the workplace can be a nourishing, supportive and stable environment for many people. Don’t get caught up in the hype—not everyone is quitting their job and you don’t necessarily have to in order to live the life of your dreams. The most important thing is that you do what’s best for you. And whether that means quitting your job tomorrow or sitting at the same desk until you retire, I’m rooting for you!

Your turn

How do you know when it’s time to leave a job? If you have a main hustle and a side hustle, how do you balance them? Share your story with the community in the comments.