Why I *Actually* Quit My Corporate Job at 25
Throwing some truth bombs.
Around this time, three years ago (September’21), I was 24 and made money for the first time by writing online.
It felt powerful.
Doing a resume and cover letter gig paid me so much for only two hours of work! They’re right when they say that making your first dollar online will change your mindset forever.
I made a goal to side hustle and quit in 6 months.
In April’21, I put down my papers because I’d been making 3x my corporate job for 3 straight months.
In July, after serving my 90-day notice period, I became self-employed.
But here’s the real reason why I quit.
Limited Money, Unlimited Dreams
I have a lot of goals that require money. I don’t fall into the category where I’ll build wealth and live a frugal life because I enjoy luxury and spend on experiences.
My husband and I travel a lot. That’s my main ‘big’ expenditure, apart from reinvesting in my business.
But my goal for next year is to also buy my first business class ticket. I’d also want a luxury car at some point in my life for the kick of it. I’ll obviously only buy it if I have enough that the amount of this car doesn’t matter.
I say this because I’m not ashamed of my material dreams. I don’t spend on clothes or anything, drive a simple car, and we travel well. But I like the idea of buying without having to think.
My corporate job paid me a fraction of what I earn today.
I have no qualms in admitting my love for money and how proud I feel now that I’m financially independent.
No Kick From Leader’s Validation
I never craved my boss’ validation.
If they praise me, that’s okay.
But if they praise others, I’m equally okay.
I have a life outside of work and a higher energy that my spiritual beliefs help me to pursue. I’m not dying for a leader’s opinion on my work and won’t go to lengths to get it.
Leave alone pulling others down for some extra brownie points.
Sucking up doesn’t work for me, it never has.
When I studied abroad for a year, I did not have many friends because I didn’t vibe with people as much. And I stayed that way because I find it difficult to do things I don’t align with (excess alcohol, parties, late nights) just to fit in.
Time Consuming, Lack of Life
I was pulled into unnecessary Zoom during the pandemic, and that’s when I saw online (YouTube, blogs) that people live a decent life without working so much every single day.
Since then, I realised that’s so me.
I’ve been working out since I was 18.
I enjoy reading, learning, and doing nothing.
So working 9 hours a day feels like lots of work and a lack of life.
To give you a perspective, I have worked for a maximum of 4 hours a day since I became self-employed. Rarely, maybe under 5 times, has it touched 6 hours.
And this is such a great way to live because I get to do what I want to do apart from spending all my waking hours working.
White Supremacy
My previous job was in a big, big multinational. Our offices were across the world.
What I didn’t understand was, why we always stay up late to speak to our colleagues in the U.S. or U.K.?
I haven’t ever seen them stay up late to speak to us during our morning time. Or wake up early to speak to us during our working hours and not during our dinner time.
I saw my AVPs and VPs finish work at 11 pm for this reason.
And I thought, what's the point of this promotion if it sucks your life even more?
Unable to Play the [In]Human Game
It’s such a waste of headspace to plot against people.
To try to get credit for my work so the other person doesn’t steal it.
To work hard and stay in the limelight.
Listen, I’d rather sip a good coffee and complete work than waste my headspace with this.
Sadly, this is important. These are the rules of the game, and you have to follow them to win. It is what it is.
And it works for many people, but didn’t work for me.
Lastly
This isn’t to tell you to quit your job.
This my my story, that is what it is.
If there’s anything you should take away from this, it is to be more self-aware so you know what makes you thrive and move away if you’re from an environment that is preventing you from thriving.
Some of us stuck in corporates are musicians and artists. But some of us are made to thrive in the corporate.
There isn’t one truth for mankind to follow.
Learn about yourself and find out what works for you. This helped me realise that I was in the wrong place, so I optimised my work to optimise for life.
