MetaChat - I just quit my job.

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09 June 2006

I just quit my job. →[More:]I don't have anything else lined up yet, but I just had to go. I am 90% sure this is the best decision I've ever made, but also 90% sure that in 6 weeks I'll be working the deep-fryer on the night shift at McD's for an 18 year old manager named Doobie.

Tell me I haven't ruined my life, even if you're lying.

post by: Capn at: 13:49 | 30 comments

You haven't ruined your lilfe. Sometimes it's what you need to do. And you should be able to find freelance/temp work to tide you over while you're looking. One of my best friends just did the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Today was his last day on the job. We're going out tonight to celebrate. He's a bit worried but also knows it was the best move.

posted by goatdog 09 June | 13:52

Do you have some savings to live off of? If so, than your life probably isn't ruined.

Yes, it is generally better to quit a job after you've planned a bit. For example, gotten your resume updated, have some money in the bank, etc.

But, since you didn't have the chance:

- Immediately start looking for other jobs and submit your resume everywhere.
- If you have no cash, find stuff of value to eBay very quickly (designer jeans, electronic equipment, books, whatever).
- If you don't find something in a week and have little to no money, turn off all non-essential utilities, such as cable (especially if you can "borrow" a wireless signal from elsewhere).
- If you have no hope of a new job in a week, instead of working at McD's, try a retail job. Retail experience shows customer service skills.

Good luck!

posted by k8t 09 June | 13:54

The above from goatdog was actually written by me. I didn't realize he was logged in on this computer.

posted by smich 09 June | 13:54

I've been temping for 2 years nearly, Capn. You can make it, it's dicey at times, and you have to keep moving, but it's doable and in a way, much more preferable to being someone's corporate bitch long-term. Now is the time to get crystal-clear on who you are, though. (Like I have - Hah!)

But being true to who you are and leaving behind what no longer makes real sense to you is worth the inconvenience and the ambiguity.

You're a kick-ass intelligent brave man doing what he feels is right - no shame in that, ever.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 09 June | 13:58

I think Capn and Sasshat should become street performers together and bilk tourists in downtown Toronto.

posted by matildaben 09 June | 14:00

Whew, thanks. I have some savings, don't have to eBay my Babylon 5 DVDs just yet.

I am scared and excited, it's like prom night, and I have a date with my LIFE. Later tonight I hope to be clumsly fumbling with my life's bra.

posted by Capn 09 June | 14:01

I am going to need all of you to keep me entertained here while I run out the clock on my 2 weeks' notice.

posted by Capn 09 June | 14:05

Having been nearly destitute for most of my life, I can tell you that it makes very little difference, other than the fact that I can't buy as many cars and guns as Bill Gates.

Open the door, kill that damn wolf and serve him up for dinner.

posted by warbaby 09 June | 14:09

I love you, Capn! You'll be excellent.

posted by taz 09 June | 14:15

Capn, sometimes the best decision is the hardest. I quit my job in February and am not working again yet but have a newborn to care for and am trying to start working as a hired PR/Marketing gun. What I'm saying is that you've almost certainly made the right choicec for you.

Just remember, later on when you're fondly fondling your life's breasts, be gentle.

posted by fenriq 09 June | 14:18

Capn, no way in hell you get the deep fryer. That's my gig. You get the floors, sucker. Unless you want to be the guy with the crowbar who opens up the tubs of special sauce.

posted by SassHat 09 June | 14:21

You really think I could make crowbar-money?

posted by Capn 09 June | 14:24

It's a skilled position, really...you have to learn to duck as you pop open the top, sometimes stuff will jump out and bite you.

posted by SassHat 09 June | 14:27

Wait, you're available for crowbar work? Excellent. Meet me under the bridge at midnight. I gots some work for ya.

I just did the same thing, Capn. Scary, yes, but if it's time to go, it's time to go. If you're in the same job for a long time it's so easy to forget that that's not the only way to make a living. We'll toast our newfound freedom at the meetup.

posted by elizard 09 June | 14:30

Congratulations!

Quitting your job is neither here nor there in terms of what you'll be doing in 6 months. What matters is what you do now and going forward to take yourself to a better place than you were.

posted by scarabic 09 June | 14:33

You can come paint my barn this Summer if you're really hard up for work. I pay better than McDonalds

posted by jessamyn 09 June | 14:33

I quit my last job in a huff (i.e., walked off, no notice). I'm dirt poor and that's scary, but I also know that I won't end up homeless or starving or anything like that.

Do I regret quitting? God no. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Good decisions don't have to make your life easier, just better in some (possibly intangible) way. For me, even though I'm really poor right now, I'm much better off than I was in that shithole.

posted by mudpuppie 09 June | 14:41

Capn, this is great! Congratulations on starting a new adventure. I see you on a ship guiding a bloodthirsty crew to ...oh what's another word for pirates' treasure?... ahh...BOOTY!!! that's the word. See? Best decision ever.

posted by safetyfork 09 June | 14:43

Nice work, Capn. You're a freebooter now.

posted by Hugh Janus 09 June | 14:48

Uh, pretty much what mudpuppie said, except they laid me off just as I was about to quit. It's been a year, and while I'm desperately poor, I've also learned how to live on hardly any money (I thought I used to be good at it before, now I am a PRO) and all in all it's been interesting. Not to mention that I am probably the best Bookworm player in the entire world now, too, there is that. Anyway congratulations, cap'n, rock on!

posted by mygothlaundry 09 June | 14:49

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by porpoise 09 June | 14:51

I just talked with a co-worker:
"So where's the new job"
"I don't have anything lined up yet"
"What? Really?"
"Yeah, don't have a mortgage or anything, and I have some savings"
"If it were me, I would secure something first before leaving, of course I do have a mortgage... wife... kids... car payments... child support... *sad look*"

posted by Capn 09 June | 15:15

Go Capn go! *whuffles Capn a whole bunch*

posted by Specklet 09 June | 15:15

Congrats, Capn!

posted by Fuzzy Monster 09 June | 15:40

Porpoise, you made me LOL!

Congratulations, Capn. I agree with k8t that you should cut all your luxury expenses right away. Living on next to nothing feels strange at first, but at some point it suddenly feels liberating.

I'm sure you'll find something you like better.

posted by halonine 09 June | 15:59

Best of luck, Capn! Here's to hoping you find your happy!

Myself... I've had money and I've been poor, and once food and shelter were covered, the rest didn't affect my happiness. You'll do great!

posted by I Love Tacos 09 June | 16:03

In fact, the Missus and I have been having very serious discussions about what we'd be willing to give up, in order to let me have a more fulfilling life. Our answer? a lot.

posted by I Love Tacos 09 June | 16:11

Sometimes you gotta say "What the Fuck", make your move. ~~Joel~~ Capn, every now and then, saying "What the Fuck", brings freedom. Freedom brings opportunity, opportunity brings freedom.

posted by deborah 09 June | 16:46

It'll take a lot more than this to shake the Scrapple From The Apple. You're going to be just fine.

posted by LeeJay 09 June | 19:07

Just reading you saying

I just quit my job.

makes me really envious. I kind of like my job, but still.

posted by theora55 09 June | 20:45

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