Six years and two months ago today I left my last job. I "quit" after 4 long months of feeling overwhelmingly unsatisfied and unfulfilled at the end of each day. I was fatigued and broken, and it began to affect my health and personal life.
My typical go-getter and highly positive/confident self started to laugh less. I complained more, was quick to get agitated, and lost touch with family and friends. And so, I somehow found it in me to say, "no, not anymore!"
I was terrified of "quitting". Sam was just a toddler and lucy was going to school. Danda brings in but 30% of our combined income and we'll have to significantly change our lifestyle to survive. I was broken to the point that I strongly doubted my ability to get another job - I don't remember anything more terrifying than the thought of not being able to provide for my family, I felt very small about the thought of being tagged a "quitter".
I still remember the relief I felt when I stepped out of the building for the last time. I started pulling myself together in my then new (current) job, that I was lucky enough to land almost immediately after leaving my last. I was whole again. I doubt that Sam will call me the "funny guy" if I stayed broken, that I will get three promotions if I stayed unsatisfied and unfulfilled, that I will be healthy/alive.