So… I quit my job!
It finally happened. The moment I’ve been counting down to, that has never seemed quite real, and that I’ve been waiting for all year. The moment when my travelling dreams finally became a reality. This time last week…
I QUIT MY JOB.
Holy shit. I can’t actually believe I finally did it. It still hasn’t sunk in despite everyone at work wanting to know all about my plans – where I’m going, how long for and who with. I keep repeating the same combination of words: solo, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, hostels, seven months, saving money, so excited… but no matter how many times I say them, I really cannot believe that they make up my plans for the next year. It just seems odd to me that this could finally be here, that my adventure is nearly within a fingertip’s grasp, that I can almost taste the Thai spice and salty sea air on my lips. You see, I’ve spent the best part of my life day dreaming about where I would go, what I would do and the people I would meet if I ever made my travel dreams a reality. I’ve spent the last year dreaming of a future that I couldn’t quite piece together, and I’ve spent the last 11 months saving, planning and booking the trip of a lifetime. And now, I have 10 weeks left until I board that plane all by myself and finally make that leap to full independence and take on a scary solo journey.I won’t lie, I’m pretty terrified. But I’m also more excited than I have ever been about any decision in my life, and that is what tells me I’m doing the right thing. It’s something I’ve dreamt of all my life and it is something I have more than earned the opportunity to do after working so hard for so many years. I have been working four jobs on and off this year, I have done everything asked of me and gone beyond the call of duty at all four jobs. I have put the time into setting the groundwork for a great career, put endless time into friendships and relationships. Now I deserve to take some time for myself. To enrich my own life, steal some real independence and strike out on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I am a very independent gal and anyone who knows me well enough will tell you the same. But the truth of the matter is, I have always been lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing friends, family, colleagues and to have a fantastic boyfriend by my side. This means I have never really had the chance to do anything by myself – university was the one thing where I struck out on my own but I had a huge group of great mates from the first day so it never seemed a challenge. This is something that will test me in every way possible – it will terrify me, make me rely on myself to keep me out of trouble, to take chances, to meet people, to find my way, to make a plan and all the rest. It is a big challenge when you have always had someone to help out along the way. That is the exciting part.
I’m also really looking forward to finally having time to really reassess my life. I’m at a point where I think it would really do me good to take a step back and take a look at things, before making my mind up about my next move. I want time to indulge myself and to discover new passions, interests and loves. I want time to really dedicate to blogging and writing what I love, and I really want time to discover more of the world and more of myself. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rush of working so much and never really taking time to smell the roses – well now I want to smell the roses, and the spices, and the flavours the world has to offer. Yes it means leaving behind friends, family, and a boyfriend that means the world to me, but in the grand scheme of things, it is a short-term sacrifice for a lifetime of happiness. That is the best way of explaining it to those who I know don’t understand how I can leave behind these things. Adventure and risk are the best way to discover what you really what to be doing, by stepping outside of your comfort zone, you find out where your boundaries really lie.
So how did I do it? Quit my job I mean. I know there are a lot of people who have been asking me how I went about it, so I though this post could explain the few steps I took to quitting my job. It was one of those things that seemed like a huge task, but when it came down to it, it was so simple and so easy. I had lots of friends and family joking about how I would do it – would I go in and slam down my resignation letter? Would I just storm out in a dramatic moment? Would I just not bother turning up any more? Haha of course not. So how did I do it?
- I took some time to look over my contract and our company’s intranet to see what options were available to me and what notice I would have to work.
- I wrote a short and simple letter of resignation, stating my reasons for leaving and what date would be my last working day.
- I decided to ask about a career break, but had my back-up resignation ready if needed.
- I asked for a meeting with my boss and did so two months ahead of my leaving date, despite my notice period only being a month – to help the company source a replacement.
- In the meeting, I explained my plans to my boss, mentioned how grateful I was for my time at the company and the experience I had gained, and said that in future I would be keen to write pieces on a freelance basis if needed.
- I spoke to HR and tracked down any missed holiday time that needs to be taken before I leave, and booked it quickly.
- I made a plan to contact all of my regular contacts with the news and to direct any future communication to a colleague.
Seven simple steps that took me from being a full time employee of the company to an unemployed traveller who is set to embark on a huge trip across the world early next year. It may seem really daunting to quit your job and a bit scary to have to basically reject the company after your time there, but you must remember you are completely entitled to leave at your will and move on whether to develop your own career or try something different. Don’t feel guilty for quitting your job, but remember to be respectful and grateful for what you have gained by being a part of the company. You never know when you will need a good reference, or when that job will affect your future or give you the right contacts for your next move. Don’t underestimate the power of a thank you and the importance of keeping things polite and civil to the bitter end – even if you have really hated your time in that job.It’s an exciting time – that’s for sure. I’m slap-bang in the middle of a couple of courses of jabs, I’m working every hour going to save more money and trying my hardest to see as many friends as possible. I still have so much to do and so little time to do it in. If any of you are planning your travels – don’t let fears of quitting your job stand in your way. It is one of the most freeing things you can do.
How did you go about it when you quit your job to take up another or travel the world? Any tips you would like to add from your own experiences?
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Ayla
So exciting Lucy! That’s a big step to take before you go off travelling and now you’ve done it it probably seems 100 times more real! Scary but exiciting!
LucyRuthnum
It really is! It’s been a week but it still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve quit my job and am really leaving – so strange! Can’t believe I’m soon to be unemployed after having so many jobs! Very exciting though 😀 xxx
Raisa Mae Fernandez
I think you’re really brave and it’s fantastic that you are finally going to do what you’ve always wanted to do! xoxo
LucyRuthnum
Thank you so much Raisa – that’s a lovely thing to say and it means a lot – I’m so pleased that all my hard work has finally paid off 😀 xxx
Jess May (@justjessmay)
I’m so damn excited for you! Don’t forget, there is a bed with your name on it in Western Australia 😉
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Jess! You’re so kind chick 🙂 I can’t wait to finally meet you in person!! 🙂 xxxx
sophierose233
Sounds incredible. Good luck for your future travels! 🙂
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Sophie 🙂
VickyFlipFlop
Ah so exciting! Sounds like you’re leaving in the best way possible, which is always a good idea. I’m still friends with loads of people from previous jobs and it’s nice to get together every now and then, and you can always hit them up for freelance work if you need!
LucyRuthnum
It really is! Starting to become real now! That’s so true Vicky – that was something I really wanted to do, I think it’s really important not to burn bridges and I have no reason to – have loved my job and the experiences and opportunities that have come with it – I have some really good friends here and I will miss it – like you say, these people could end up being great contacts in future! And I also think, if you end up working freelance a lot, it can be quite lonely so it’s good to still have friends from previous jobs 😀
Denise
OMG you are so organised… and determined and amazing. You have such an opportunity ahead of you and I’m in awe that you’ve thought through your reasons and what you want to get out of it so well.#
Enjoy your travels!
LucyRuthnum
Haha I don’t feel it at the moment Denise! I have so much to sort out and organise it’s crazy! But thank you so much, that’s such a lovely thing to say 🙂 Thank you so much, and thanks for all your support along the way xx
gotmeghan
I’m so excited for you dear!! 😀
LucyRuthnum
Thanks lovely 😀
gotmeghan
You’re welcome! 🙂
thesundayblah
Going travelling for a few months in South America was the best decision I’ve ever made. If you have the chance to go and travel, you need to grasp it. Enjoy every moment of your trip, I’m sure it will be amazing! I look forward to following your adventures in Thailand, Cambodia and Australia! xxx
LucyRuthnum
Thank you so much 🙂 I’d love to visit South America, one of my friends has just returned and she said it was incredible! I couldn’t agree more – this was not an opportunity I could let pass me. I can’t wait to get there and start writing 😀 xxx
robbarcruises
Wow, you actually wrote you have an amazing boyfriend as opposed to that man. 🙂 That little nugget of information in your post will make him smile as you travel alone but with many of your friends , real, virtual and your family following your travels. Certainly you did the right way in leaving your job and keeping those doors open. A lot of folks today just move on with no care to the job left , not realizing of the damage nor effect on them in the future.
Your timing was excellent , more than needed but sufficient to back out if you had to .
I liked your dreaming or walking your trip for the next seven months, that is an excellent way to condition and prepare your mind as you travel.
Good on you …. all the best ,… God speed
We look forward to your posts as you travel..
Rob
LucyRuthnum
Haha I can be nice sometimes 😛 thanks so much Rob. It was really important to be to make sure I didn’t leave my colleagues in the lurch, I’m just not that kind of girl. It’s lovely to hear how many people will be reading as I set out on my trip 😀
SaraSara
Congratulations! You’ll have an amazing time. Buying that working holiday visa was one of the best days of my life. Enjoy every second! xx
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Sara – I really will 😀 Can’t wait! xxx
Karma Tsechi
You will have the best time ever, Lucy.Taking a year out to travel in 2013 was by far the best thing I ever did. You’ll learn lots about yourself, especially if you feel like taking the time to really reflect any hang out at some yoga or meditation places. The best one in Cambodia is just outside Siem Reap (it’s not commercial and off the back-packer trail so really worth a look). Let me know if you’d like the name (was life-changing for me and really made my trip in Cambodia complete). And if you’re going to Thailand and Cambodia, you must try to stop off in Vietnam (I preferred it to Thailand) lots of untrodden spots and the food is by far the best in SE Asia. You will love it and if you’re anything like me, you’ll come home and appreciate Norfolk more than usual and incorporate much more life-work balance in your life 🙂 Very excited for you – well done for taking the leap 🙂
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Leah 🙂 Wow yours sounds amazing! I really love everything I see and hear about Cambodia and I would really love to know more about the yoga place – was hoping to find one on my travels and that one sounds like just the thing I’m looking for – no hipsters! haha And Vietnam is definitely on my list, so much history there and the food sounds lush – as you know, if there isn’t food involved I’m just not interested! 😛 I’m so excited after hearing all these tips and suggestions from people 😀 thanks so much! xx
Anna Roberts
How exciting! I love reading posts like these – it’s inspiring, for sure!
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Anna 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! x
Emily Ray (@emilyraylondon)
Wow, well done you and congrats on taking that step! I can’t wait to read about all your upcoming travels 🙂
LucyRuthnum
Thanks so much Emily 🙂 xx
gina
I’ve been debating this for 2 months now and can’t quite bring myself to do it – going solo is the thing holding me back i think.. so you’re very brave and i look forward to reading all about it http://thewanderlusthasgotme.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/what-to-see-in-london.html
LucyRuthnum
It’s a tough decision that’s for sure, and for a while the solo part was really holding me back but then I just figured that actually the solo part is something I am really looking forward to, I can’t wait for the independence of it all 🙂 It is scary, but it just depends on the type of person you are and the fact that you have commented on here and started up a dialogue shows you could just as easily do it on the road with another stranger 😀 we’re all much braver than we think, and if it is a matter of safety, the same day I booked my tickets was the day that a woman had her head chopped off in East London – I figured if that can happen over here then it can happen anywhere but I’d rather have my head chopped off after having the experience of a lifetime, than after sitting at home and wishing I’d booked the tickets 🙂 I’m so glad you’ll be reading, and I’d love to know more about where you would like to travel – do you have an idea in mind?
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