I Was Scared to Resign Without Another Job Offer. Here's Why It's My Best Decision Ever -

In a society where career excellence is prized above all else, this falls a wee bit short of being called batshit crazy.

Having a stable, well-paying job is the single most crucial factor to garner respect in Indian Society. It is to the point where Doctors and Engineers are respected more than Entrepreneurs, Sportsmen, Artists, Farmers, and the likes.

So, as you can imagine, leaving the workforce in India is basically considered social suicide, and yet, I committed it.

Read on to find out why, despite all the social stigma, I still left my job? How has my life evolved after this decision? What can you take away from this and apply in your life?

Why Did I Quit?

I know some people may consider it foolish but I felt stuck in my job and wasn't growing. I was doing the same mundane, repetitive things every day.

If you refuse to step out of your comfort cubicle, the universe will find a way to push you out

I was hired to build Machine Learning Products at a startup, but as it often happens, the job description was nothing like the job. After I joined, I painfully realized that the company wasn't ready for it yet. I had to wade through heaps of bureaucracy to get even the simplest of things done which is unheard of in a startup environment.

I had to do half a dozen meetings just to convince a data company to invest in data warehousing and data engineers. That is like convincing a doctor to get a stethoscope.

To add insult to the injury, I was constantly taking interviews. There have been back-to-back weeks when I had to spend 3 hours a day every day just interviewing candidates. Amidst all this, I could not focus on my personal and professional growth.

The thought of attending yet another unproductive meeting or interviewing yet another candidate filled my stomach with dread.

I also fell into the comparison trap. I was constantly comparing the salaries of my peers who were getting fat offers from Meta, Google, Snapchat, etc. Checking blind reviews and looking at silicon valley offers was the next level of insanity.

I was the epitome of a person stuck in the Rat Race, and I frequently had panic attacks.

It was after one such panic attack and a frantic call with my manager that I realized I had enough. I was feeling miserable. I was sleeping at 3 AM, skipping meals, and neglecting my health. This had to stop. At this point, I paused and re-evaluated my life.

FIRE to the Rescue

In a previous story, I mentioned that I had already hit my FIRE goal a while ago. For the uninitiated, FIRE means Financial Independence Retire Early. These days there is a new definition of retirement in town. The goal isn't the retire early end of the acronym but rather the financial independence part.

The aim is to save enough money to give you the freedom you want and avoid depending on a regular job to pay the bills. Having attained FIRE represents that you have enough assets, that their returns cover your expenses.

I had achieved what is called Lean FIRE meaning that while I couldn't afford to splurge or live my life in luxury, my savings are enough to sustain my basic expenses if I live minimalistically. This realization was liberating. I didn't need to work for money anymore.

Ever since childhood, I have loved literature. I was a voracious reader and a passionate writer. My peers and professors alike praised my writing.

I could pursue writing earlier when I had freedom and didn't worry about money, deadlines, or work pressure. But I couldn't do it seriously as an adult because it took a lot of time and didn't pay. But now I could pick it up. I could pick up a lot of other creative and technical projects.

This realization was liberating. I didn’t need to work for money anymore.

I could be so much more selective about the jobs I take on. I could work on problems that I find interesting, with people that I like working with, without having to compromise.

The Challenges to Retire

I decided to quit the rat race and work not just for the sake of money but self-actualization. Money, I would like, to be a byproduct.

I do not have a family business. Nor, do I have a rental property to sustain off of. Instead, I have savings of 5 years as a software developer, an investment pool, and a zeal to explore what I am capable of.

“Others would die for a job like yours, look out there, so many people are struggling to get a job” — My Grandma

But that decision didn't come without its fair share of challenges. My mother asked, "Who would marry an unemployed guy?". A successful man is considered to be earning a 'safe salary' and working in a stable, predictable space.

I was conscious of the social stigma and of what I was giving up. And yet, I wanted to dive right in even when others around me dissuaded me. I reminded myself of the famous Kabir's Doha —

काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब । पल में परलय होएगी, बहुरि करेगा कब ॥

This means — Do what you would tomorrow, today. What you would today, now. Apocalypse(Death) may come at any moment; when will you progress?

So, What Next?

Well, life has never been better. After seeing the changes, even my mom and grandma gave it a seal of approval. If even an Orthodox Indian Grandma approves it, you can be sure it is the right decision 😄

Let me show you how my life has blossomed through a series of exhibits -

Exhibit 1 — The Surreal Sunrises

I love sunrises and used to wake up at wee hours to catch the first rays of the sun. It was nourishing and made me happy. But, fast forward to now, I remained glued to the screen till late, coding and attending meetings.

I was unable to sleep. The screen stimulation tricked my body to stay awake till 3 or 4 AM in the night. I used to wake up grumpy at 2 PM and remained passive and lazy throughout the day. It took a toll on my health. Waking up to catch the sunrise seemed like a distant dream.

Then, miraculously, just a week after leaving the job, I started sleeping by 12 and waking up at 8 every day, feeling fresh.

Exhibit 2 — In Fitness and In Health

Apart from waking early and full of energy, I now have a kick-ass schedule that I always wanted but could never seem to stick to. I let go of my lazy sedentary husk and butterflied into a handsome hunk. Well, hunk may be overstating it just a tad bit, but I'm on my way to becoming one😝

I never used to have a proper breakfast, just a cup of tea. Even the lunch was skipped or delayed until 5 PM, and my dinner was at 11 or 12. It was pure madness!

After leaving the job, I've yet to skip or delay a meal. I have a proper, balanced diet following a diet plan. I eat a hearty breakfast followed by practicing yoga, tai chi in the morning sun, and soaking in that Vitamin-D that developers find hard to come by.

And it is just 11 AM! My whole day unfolds in front of me, as an open field waiting for me to run free.

Exhibit 3 — Hail to the Hobbies

I had been an avid photographer. So many photos from happier times sat in my hard drive, gathering dust. I have now begun to edit and make them portfolio-ready!

And as I explore my next destination, I have taken to writing on topics I resonate with, like self-development, relationships, and spirituality. I recently purchased a domain and will be building a blog to host these pieces.

I have also gone back to reading and not just the passive kind. My daily schedule consists of reading at least two books on topics ranging from spirituality to creativity, productivity to philosophy.

For You to Think

Imagine the last day of your life and visualize looking back at the course of events. Do you want to keep regrets?

Would you rather have a peaceful ending or one filled with final what-ifs?

Life is impermanent, the one truth we all can be assured of. The fragility of human life should serve as a reminder, not that we're all going to die, but that the time we have here is limited and, because of that, precious.

We should spend our time doing activities that are truly meaningful to us and not just to our society. The activities that nurture our souls and make us believe in life's joys.

They may be as simple as soaking in the first rays of the rising sun or walking bare feet on the wet grass or swirling around in the drizzling rain, getting high on that petrichor.

I'm not encouraging quitting your job. Resetting your life isn't for everyone. Maybe you have responsibilities to take care of, mouths to feed. In those cases, taking on these risks may not be ideal. But just don't stop following your heart, doing the things that nourish your soul.

Go tick off those bucket lists and if anyone asks you what you're doing with your life, tell them that you're flowing like a leaf in the stream of creation — it works 42% of the time. (A pun on Douglas Adams, in case you haven't read him)

Parting Words

And of course, how can a tree stand tall without its roots. I'm grateful to everyone who supported me through times, thick and thin. My mom and grandma who accepted my wild decisions.

I'm grateful to my colleagues and friends who checked in from time to time. They made me feel I belonged in these increasingly lonely times. And now, they nudge me to explore new territories as I navigate this world.

I am grateful to those who hammered on my drafts, making them shine like diamonds. Those who liked and shared my content, offering words of encouragement and motivation.

Thank you all, I'll continue being under your care :)

Show Some Love!

If you enjoyed my work , you can help fuel it by buying me a coffee. It will help me last longer without a job. Thanks a ton :)

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