How I Quit My Job + Started Living The Life I Wanted
Updated: Mar 30, 2022
It's been almost a year since I took the leap of faith that has changed my life forever. I mustarded up the courage to leave a well-paid "secure" medical career in order to pursue my passions full time instead.
The Catalyst - Aruba 2021
If you know me, you know I'm an avid solo traveler. I fell in love with the sport back in 2019 when I decided to teach myself French on a random November afternoon. Since my birthday was coming up, I thought it would make a really great gift to myself to book a trip to Paris. Since then, solo trips have become kind of a birthday tradition for me.
Fast forward to 2021: My 26th birthday was around the corner. I knew I wanted to travel but had no idea where I wanted to go. I started youtubing tropical destinations in search of inspiration until I noticed my favorite Youtuber @TishWonders uploaded a new video to her channel.
From her previous vlog, I already knew she was spending time in Aruba with her boyfriend @RGvegan. However, this new video was titled "Living" In Aruba and I was intrigued and immediately hit play.
She described how they've been enjoying the island away from their UK home longer than expected (a month to be exact). Indulging in the perks of working from anywhere and living limitless in paradise. The scenic views and warm smiles in her vlog really sold me. I felt the ease, the freedom and enjoyment through the screen. With no hesitation I decided Aruba was going to be my location of choice.
My trip was nothing short of amazing. The island was truly a gem with breathtaking views and a serene peaceful energy. I prepared such a fun filled itinerary for myself and completed a successful mad vegan food hunt (check out my vlog). I was able to meet other travelers and entrepreneurs on workcations escaping the panini in the U.S.
Towards the end of my trip I was able to connect with Tish as she and RG were still on the island. Here I was having dinner with them and their friend @Yemstar_, just ecstatic to finally be meeting my Youtube idols. Taking a good look around the table, witnessing the black excellence of these self-made entrepreneurs who travel and create online was so inspiring to watch.
The group was planning to go skydiving to celebrate @Yemstar_'s birthday the following day and invited me to join. I always told myself I'd take any opportunity to conquer my fear of falling. Scared and excited, I wasn't sure if this was that moment. Either way I've already extended my trip once and had a flight back to New York the next afternoon so I had to decline. The feeling of 'missing out' because I had work on Monday really bothered me though.
The next day I had an long gap until my flight so I booked a private session of beach yoga with a local instructor in the morning. Soaking up all the goodness Aruba had to offer me, I was reflecting on how much I desired to change my life right then and there. I wanted to live so much like the people that I met throughout the week: as an online creative entrepreneur who works from anywhere in the world and lives on their own standards at their own pace. I set my intentions and let the ocean bare witness to my manifestation. I didn't know how or when, but I knew this was the last time I'd feel like this.
Back in NY + Over It
Now don't get me wrong, this wasn't the only moment that made me want to quit. It was the months and months of feeling burnout trying to balance this full time job with starting up my coaching business. Although my job was pretty easy physically, after an 8 hour shift, the day would leave me mentally drained to even draw up an ounce of creativity towards my business. I could've stuck it out and tried harder, loose sleep and do both, but I was tired of juggling and failing at the thing I really wanted to do most.
I worked for a top hospital in NYC as a traveling phlebotomy technician (a medical vampire). Great pay, great benefits, guaranteed yearly bonuses and a pretty easy schedule and workload. I loved my job. I loved the people, the management, the places I was assigned to and the trade itself. So why quit right?
Outline:
-describe the job
-describe the positives and negatives according to getting in the way
-the thought process of quiting (seeked coaching, set a date, saved up,
-the awkwarness of leaving a perfectly good job
-despite the readiness for this decision physically, a big part of why I was able to succesfuly do this is because I shifted my mindset a while ago. The moment I pressed that on button, I started to view the world differently. Possibilities seemed possible, dreams achievable and the outdated script from my parents, elders and peers became impenetrable to my free spirit. how "you need to work hard in a comendable field for long time, save money and play it safe in order to become succesful" was no longer impenetrable to my free spirit. I started to read and learn more about different thinking
As Per My Last Email .. Here's My 2 Weeks Notice
Now don't get me wrong, this wasn't the only moment that made me want to quit. It was the months and months of feeling burnout trying to balance this full time job with startup up my coaching business. Although my job was pretty easy physically, after an 8 hour shift, the day would leave me mentally drained to even draw up an ounce of creativity towards my business. I could've stuck it out and tried harder, loose sleep and do both, but I was tired of juggling and failing at the thing I really wanted to do.