I quit my job... any advice and support on new life decision?

Question

I've recently made a drastic life decision over the past week and would like to see others' views on it; hopefully find someone who agrees with me and tells me to embrace it. I know what I'm doing is a great opportunity in disguise as I will never get another chance like it. I would also like some advice on how to get the most out of it. I know this isn't a discussion corner, but if you feel like it, please chip in, and kindly. Although I should expect some humorous or insulting replies, this is Yahoo Answers after all. :)

Firstly, I'm 28, male, have no girlfriend, wife or kids! I quit my job because I feel connected to no one there, feel manipulated and used; have a highly irritating boss who zaps a lot of my energy, I don't like talking to him, but he talks a lot and dramatises everything; I am unhappy there and can't be myself. It feels like captivity. I have been there for a year and three months, have given it 110%, received two promotions, nothing swanky or well paid, but I have learnt a lot and have some new job experience. In a year and a half I will move to London to pursue my ambition of being an author of young children's literature and screenwriter. I have finished my three month probation of my latest promotion, but decided not to sign a permanent contract and to leave instead.

Last week all my thoughts and frustrations came to ahead, and I made a decision to leave my current job. I have enough money to support me for the next 6 months, if I were to stay unemployed. Although I would like a job before then, but do understand that it's not a case of "when I want it, but when something is available." But I want "change," I want a new challenge. I do love working, I want to learn new skills, I want new experience, I want to commit to a company, but I have a burning ambition to be a writer and feel like taking the next 3-6 months off from work to write full-time is a great opportunity, and one that I should take up with both hands, and feet! At the same time, I can learn to budget what I spend and make it last. As of the last year or so, I have been wasting £200+ on unnecessary online spending and need to learn the real value of money and spend it wisely. With having to budget for every single penny I spend will allow me to be more responsible with my money and set a course and mindset for any future earnings.

I know this opportunity will never be available again to me once I run out of money and return to work full-time, and certainly when I move to London. So I think I will make the most of it, but I have no one in my life to talk to about it and thought you guys might give me a little confidence boost and some advice. I am currently looking into volunteer work at the local hospital and charity shops for some odd hours in the evening or at weekends during my unemployment period. Volunteering is something that I've always wanted to do, and I'm finally getting around to doing it. As well as registering as a Blood donor. I'm getting there.... I also run 10k runs for charity and would like to do more. I'm not a slacker or anything, and would use my new found time very wisely. I understand the value of time, more than I do money.

But I am very concerned how my voluntary unemployment would look to my next employer. Would my 3-6 months unemployment look bad on my record and CV when I apply for a new job? Wouldn't it be a case of "What did you do in that time?" Then I can tell them it was a conscious decision and I did a lot! i.e. writing, volunteering, learning, etc. It's not like I don't want to work, I love working and can't wait to start again, but I have a great opportunity to make some fast progress on my writing and portfolio, build on my self-esteem, and learn new skills with volunteering. Then I have a new change, challenge and job to look forward to. Wouldn't it be the same as someone going travelling for 6 months and being out of work? But an inwards travelling, and working towards my writing portfolio, whilst doing some part time volunteering?

Has anyone done a similar thing? Or has any comments on this radical decision in such a time where jobs and money are both as scarce as each other? Or should it be a case of "If I can, then I should?" Feel free to email me, if you wish.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

You deserve a medal if you reach to the end of this! :) Thanks.

Answer 1

Best wishes on becoming a writer. Have you decided what kind of writing (e.g., novels, non-fiction, books, magazines, blogs, etc.)?

Answer 2

u know your strengths

and u very well know that u wanna work for the love for work, and not just for the sake of it

personally i like u for the fact that u speak upfrontly however deep in your heart u know u have taken a right decision

dont ever hesitate

u know your dream destination awaits u and u will reach there, IF NOT TODAY THEN TOMOROW

go get it

u took the right decision and the path that u should follow is also known to u

the only person that could hold u back is u

hope u got ur answer

well done

just a few more steps and maybe a year or two and your life would be a honeymoon

the universe is with u

Answer 3

It sounds like you have a goal in mind and are willing to sacrifice for it. Good for you. Becoming a writer is relatively easy to do but becoming a" paid" writer is not. To be published you usually need to have at least 3 completed projects that are acceptable to the publisher. I would suggest that you find a part time job to cover the next 6 months, then do your best to get those projects started. Good Luck P.S. don't worry about the job gap as many people have those due to the high unemployment.