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Quitting your job can be daunting. It's not easy to walk away from something that's familiar. But, in 2023 I took a leap of faith and found the courage to quit my day job in pursuit of my passion.

There are moments in life when you make decisions that change the whole direction of your future. 2023 was one of those moments. I ignited my Brazen Spirit and found the courage to quit my day job.

It’s been something I’ve dreamed of doing for a few years. But life (and fear), can get in the way of making those bold decisions. I mean – why would I quit? The pay was good, I enjoyed what I was doing, I was valued and I was comfortable. Only an idiot would think it was a good idea to leave a secure environment in pursuit of the unknown.

Not only that, I was turning 47 – three years before my 50th birthday. At this stage of my life, shouldn’t security be my main priority?

Well, obviously not as I found myself in my managers office, with my resignation letter in one hand and a wing and a prayer in the other.

Finding the courage to quit my day job

Ok, well I said ‘a wing and a prayer’, but by this time, I had been running this blog as my side hustle for almost 3 years. I had plans on how I wanted to grow it even further and had a burning desire to spend my time doing more things that gave me joy.

At this point, working full time in the day job became a hinderance to my goals and aspirations. I needed more time and space to see if I could really take ‘I AM BRAZEN SPIRIT’ to the next level.

IT WAS TIME TO FULLY BELIEVE IN MYSELF!

Facing my fears

Once I knew why I wanted to quit my job, the decision to do so was easier. But this did not mean the fear of actually going through with it was any less.

I’d been in my current career for nearly 19 years at this point and knew the industry inside and out. I was now preparing to go into the unknown without the safety net of a regular monthly salary, a support system of colleagues and the security of a big organisation.

I wrestled with this decision for months. Spoke to people I trusted, (some of which were horrified I would even think about leaving!!). Went back and forth in my mind about the pro and cons until eventually it dawned on me – Never let fear decide your future!

So, standing in front of my manager and handing over my resignation letter finally cemented my belief in the future I could create for myself.

MY exit strategy FOR quitting my job

Finding the courage to quit my job was just the first things I had to manage. Yes, I wanted to have more time to pursue the growth of my blog and the business as a whole – but I also had to eat and pay bills!!

So, with almost 19 years of experience, I pivoted my career from being an employee to being a consultant! Who knew making the leap of faith to invest more time in my existing company would actually allow me to create another one along side it!

I secured two clients before my official ‘last day of work’ and now run both the blog and a consultancy company.

Within 6 months of handing in my notice, I had gone from living life in my comfort zone to having the freedom to pursue my dreams and goals, on my own terms.

Defining my new identity

I have never been in a position where I do not have a regular monthly salary coming into my bank account. But, I’ve also never had a situation where I am totally free to pursue my own passions. Believe me – It’s a huge mindset adjustment.

Who am I now? How do I introduce myself? (It’s still something I’m trying to figure out.)

But, if you were to ask me how I feel, the word that immediately comes to mind is – LIBERATED!

I have a much better work life balance. My time is flexible, I am more focused and even importantly – I am excited!

positive reasons to quit your job

When most people think about leaving their jobs, it’s usually for negative reasons. They may be unhappy with their salary, work-life balance, culture of the company or their boss. However, as in my case, there are positive reasons for wanting to quit your job, for example:

PURSUE YOUR PASSIONS

If you’re not passionate about what you do, it will be harder to be happy in your job. If you have dreams or aspirations of working in a different field or starting your own business, quitting your job can give you the freedom to pursue your passion.

GAIN NEW SKILLS

If you’re feeling stagnant in your career, leaving your job can give you the opportunity to gain new experiences and skills. You can use this to help you move up in your career or switch to a new field altogether.

IMPROVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE

If you’re feeling stuck and overwhelmed at work, you may be able to find a better work-life balance in a new job. This could include shorter hours, more flexibility, improvement in workload or more support.

FIND A BETTER FIT

If you’re values do not align with the culture of your current job, or you don’t feel like you are making a difference, quitting your job could provide an opportunity to find a company who is a better fit.

Finding the courage to quit my day job

Leaving my job was a huge decision, but it was also a positive one.

If you’ve been thinking about leaving your job and it’s a feeling that just won’t go away, there are a few things you should do before making the final leap:

Start planning early: Think about what you will do next and plan the steps to get you there.
Start networking: Talk to people in your field or the field you want to pursue.
Don’t burn bridges: It’s important to leave on good terms. You may need them in the future!

Are you thinking about quitting your day job?

2 Comments

Jeff wekesa
3rd September 2023 at 7:43 am Reply
Congratulations for taking the leap of faith.
Just putting this here for the tough days, or during a difficult phase or challenging time.
When tough times come, take a day at a time and don’t think too far ahead. But always remember to rejoice at the end of the day, for making through the day. Your brazen spirit will get stronger because of this.
- Chantelle - I Am Brazen Spirit
  4th September 2023 at 11:00 am Reply
  Ahh Jeff, what a lovely message! Thank you for the encouragement. I am keep my eye on the goal but making sure I look up and appreciate each step of the journey. Chantelle x.