I quit the rat race just over a year ago.
It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. If not THE
hardest.
But now I have perspective.
Here’s what I’ve realised looking
back:
I’d become institutionalised AND “occupationalised”. Working for the same firm and in the same industry for 13 years meant I lost all sense of perspective. The
“banking bubble” felt like the most important thing on earth. It’s not. The bubble had blinded me to the reality that happiness, health and balance are much more important to me.
My fears about
leaving the 9 to 5 were unfounded. Fears like “what if I’m making a mistake”, “what will other people think”, “what if I fail” and “do I want to leave everything I’ve invested in for 13 years”. These worries were my brain trying to keep me safe. Sometimes this safety mechanism is helpful.
Sometimes it isn’t. Knowing that fears can be misjudged has been freeing.
From now on, my health will be number one. I knew the 14 hour days couldn’t be having
a positive impact on my health. But I didn’t realise the extent of this until I left my job. I’ve made a pledge that, from now on, my health always comes first.
I value balance, freedom and
choice more than a “secure” job. I’m no longer at the whim of a faceless organisation or another round of job cuts. I choose when and where to work, and what to work on. I'm also in control of shaping my own future. Of course, working for myself has its own challenges. But the
trade-off is worth it.
Doing work I enjoy has had a positive impact on my daily life. I never loved banking. And doing this every day for 13 years ground me down,
almost to the point of there being nothing left. Today I wake up each morning like a kid in a sweet shop.
I didn’t need to work so hard. A big chunk of my salary was
spent on things that I thought I needed, but didn’t. Were they fun? Yes. Were they necessary? No. Should I have worked my butt off for 14 hours a day just to treat myself to a fancy dinner or a new pair of designer jeans every once in a while? Definitely not.
There are endless opportunities outside the 9 to 5. I’m only just beginning to see how many options there are to make good money doing work you love.
That’s all for today.
- Tom
p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways you can connect with me