BootsnAll Travel Community

I guess there are a few of us that have been at our jobs at the 5 year mark and are ready to leave.

I myself have been waiting on the sale of my parents house to make the move, but as things tend to do it's taking longer than expected. Between someone actually qualifying and my parents getting their asking price, nothing is happening. Last Dec. we thought we'd for sure be moving by March 05. Here it is almost Sept and still nothing. And like a used car, right before you sell it everything is starting to break. $700 for Electrician this month, $700 for new garage door last month (needed to be replaced anyway).

I have a trip planned to Africa for 3 wks in Nov., but time is running out and I need to make a decision. I'm thinking of quitting or going per diem or on call, then if no work is available here working for a temp agency (I did this for 4 yrs before and stayed working regularly).

It just seems like I'm in a holding pattern and I come to work everyday and feel like a drone.

One of my bosses made me feel like crap today (I even cried, which I normally don't do). I'm just sick of it and feel like a prisoner.

If I quit or change my status I can have access to my 401k (I know about the penalty), so I can make my travel plans.

Here's the question... Would you leave a secure job and risk it at a temp agency, & doing something you really want to do? Or stay in your job until you had cash in hand, even if it meant being miserable and cancelling your travel plans?

Help!

I think I'd stay in the secure job until November, then quit and take the trip. I'd try to secure as much cash as possible before the trip. You can always temp when you get back. If your bosses give you crap, just smile and think about how you'll be gone in two months.

Just curious, but why exactly do you have to wait for your parents' house to sell???

I think there's wisdom in not quitting one's current job until the next job is a done deal, and its only a matter of a start date. I'm dealing with a really terrible boss who, like yours, has a way of sending people out her office in tears. I just make sure that, at the end of the day, I've got something tangible that I've done to find another job...and I make sure I keep up a good life outside of work so I've got friends, activities, etc. to look forward to. For me, I've taken everything out of my "social/entertainment" budget and blow it on plane tickets, so that at least once a month I'm getting away from that ____ of a boss, as far away as a plane can take me in a weekend.
Just my two cents worth on it...

Thank you for your replies.

I was feeling so down yesterday and today is a little better.

Thanks for your advice. I'm planning on taking some time this next week and come to a decision. Letting go is hard and I just need to face the fact that I must go through it and realize it'll be better on the other side.

p.s. I was waiting for my parents house to sell as they've promised some cash my way.

Cheers.

quote:

Would you leave a secure job and risk it at a temp agency, & doing something you really want to do? Or stay in your job until you had cash in hand, even if it meant being miserable and cancelling your travel plans?

If it is for two months, and then you will travel, I say quit and do something you are happy doing. Unless you have a ton of responsibilities (house payment, spouse, children, huge debt), there is no reason to stay in an unhappy job. While ideally you would have something lined up before you leave, it sounds like in this situation you aren't wanting to move onto something permanent, because of the traveling.

I quit my job because I was home every day in tears. It was not worth (and still is not) worth my life, and work is a HUGE part of life whether we like it or not, to be so unhappy. I think we all deserve better than that, and "toughing it out" isn't always a good option.

Thanks Annie,

I do believe you're right. No job is worth it. My tears can be spent in a better way! (Happy tears!)

A friend I was walking into work told me this morning. " You know, I look at it this way, this place will still be here when you're dead and gone, so don't let it get to you."

I worked all day today with my resignation up on my desk top and whenever I go to open a new document I see it. It's been pretty comforting knowing I can print it out and hand it in in two seconds. I'm tired now, maybe tomorrow.

Thanks all.

I have no great words of wisdom, but you are not alone. I luckily started reporting to a manager I actually like about the beginning of the year. Still know I'm not in my life's vocation yet, but that little detail makes it more bearable. I had one day with my former manager last year where I was sitting at my desk with excel spreadsheet in hand figuring out that I could get enough $ at Wal-Mart to survive... that wa a low day...

no tears, but a very hot collar...

Good luck with it and happy travel when the time comes!

Did you hand it in, socal?

no, I'm sitting here at work feeling like a gut-less coward.

Plus I just found out that my friend in another dept. died yesterday. She's had ovarian cancer for about the last 7-8 yrs. She worked for a few months with me when she was on "light duty", helping me file & stuff. She was younger than I am. 42-43 yrs. old.

The happiest I ever saw her was when she had just returned from a 2 week vacation from Hawaii. She kept talking about how beautiful the water was and what a great time she had.

I've been sick for the last 2 weeks and feeling crappy. I can seem to make up my mind.

Help!

Socalgirl-
I'm sorry to hear about your friend; cancer's a bitch.
I'm sorry to hear you feel sick and crappy and I'm really sorry you feel like a gut-less coward. You shouldn't feel that way cause you're getting ready to go on some great adventures and I don't think cowards have adventures.

You can't make up your mind? Sounds like you have but that your just a bit frightened (aren't we all). The best memory you have of your friend was of her telling you of her travels. I doubt your friend would have traded her time in Hawaii for two more weeks working. I know your situation is a bit different since you're quitting not just a little vacation but think about when you'll be able to tell us how beautiful the world is and what a great time you've had.

Life's short. Go out and enjoy it. In memory of your friend follow your heart and bring more light to the world.

I second what Calli said...

socal, so sorry to hear about your friend! And that you aren't feeling well.

It is terrifying to quit your job, but quite worthwhile if it means less tears, less stress, and less of that job! The hardest part is handing in that letter, but you can do it and you will be ok! And, you have some wonderful adventures coming up to think about.

Like Calli said, life is short, and too short to be so unhappy.

Howdy maam,

If ya feel like meeting up for a drink sometimes and getting it all out to a bootie in person, just send me a PM or something for a few drinks or something.

And I'll just second and third what everyone else has said. I hope you feel better soon, and we are here for ya.

No matter how crappy a job is, it is can be still hard to leave. Sorry to hear about your friend.

I just turned in my resignation.

We'll see what happens from here.

Anybody willing to house & feed me if I should become homeless?

Cheers.

quote:

Originally posted by socalgirl:
Anybody willing to house & feed me if I should become homeless?

As long as you don't mind moving to Chicago, and as long as you make endless supplies of your famous guacamole, you can come live with me. Got a few extra bedrooms for you to choose from

Wow Freesia!

What an offer. I'd have to work out the logistics of getting California avocados shipped to me in the winter, but anything is possible. Thanks for the offer.

I do plan on visiting your fair city sometime next year maybe you'd be up for a visit for a few days better than a few months.

Could get some cooking lessons from you. I always wanted to learn to make "gravy" from a real Italian.

Cool.

Are you getting ready for your Kili trip? I envy you. I need to loose some weight before I take that one on.

I do plan on bringing enough guacamole for Sean to swim in to this year's Christmas Party. See you there?

Cheers.

I haven't stepped up with any advice, but I have been reading the thread and wanted to say:

Congratulations on handing in your resignation.

It will turn out okay. Enjoy yourself.

Okay, so it was nothing like I expected.

After all the nail biting and stressing, my admin. Director came & gave me a hug & said she'd miss me, my Med. Director said "My jealous that you're leaving before me". I think it was an initial shock, but now they're over it. I didn't quit all the way I changed my status to "on call", so I could keep my foot in the door if I need $. Turns out I may be offered a postion in another dept (temporarily) as their admin. support is going out on leave for chemo treatments- which would mean a 5% raise but I'd have to commit to work until next January. Which is okay, it's an extra 5% to go into my travel money chest.

I'll keep you updated.

Thanks to all for your support. I feel one step closer to freedom.

Cheers.

Good for you socal!
It's funny how you can tend to build up a situation in your mind and when you actually do it - it's nothing like you expected.

I worked in a corporate job for a few years and when I quit to take a trip, my bosses all said how disappointed they were that I was leaving and that there'd be a place for me when/if I came back. It was nice - pretty much what I'd expected.

But then each one took me aside privately and told me how they'd always dreamed of doing something like what I was doing. How they'd always wanted to travel more and wished they had not worried so much about leaving a job to do adventurous things. It was crazy! Any doubts I had about being "unresponsible" were quashed.

The job was okay and I made some great friends there - but I will never forget that trip!!!

Congrats Socal!

You're on your way now. You've taken a big step forward- woohoo!

I'm glad you can see the light at the end of the corporate tunnel.