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AIBU?

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Original poster

To just quit work and finally write my books?

126 replies

WoesFromAuntFlo · 17/09/2026 14:19

I am so tired of the drudgery of life, but by work in particular. I’ve worked since I was 16, having taken exactly a year off for my DD, and whilst it’s a career I used to love it’s become a ball and chain.

I’ve always wanted to be an author. I’ve had a series of mystery/thriller books planned out for years, adding to the outlines and characters every time I think up new ideas. Realistically there are probably about 6 books ready to be written from those alone!

I’ve entered and won several short story competitions, and my friends/family have always said I should be a writer, but I’ve never felt like it was the right time to follow that dream.

WIBU to quit my job and use my savings to support my family while I wrote them? I have enough savings to keep us comfortable for around 18 months (2 years at a push). I’d likely write the first two self published and then build up my audience to see if I can get a deal on the next few (or just keep self publishing).

My DH has always said he would support me no matter what, so he’s letting me make the decision myself.

YABU - you’ll never make it, stay in your job
YANBU - life is too short, write the books

OP posts:
Noodle9951 · 22/09/2026 12:06

MargaretThursday · 19/09/2026 15:15

It's funny, but these threads pop up from time to time that say approximately

  1. I'm not enjoying my job
  2. I've always wanted to be a X
  3. I want to quit my job and try X
  4. Even though I've no experience I'm sure I will be accepted and a success because I am really good at <small part of job>

And they're always about becoming a writer or doing medicine.

It's funny, but I know very little about either, I'd say, but I have far more idea how much work and the likelihood of success than most of the people who want to do them.
And the first few pages are always people cheering them on, go for your dreams, you only live once, you're so amazing, you'll do it...
Of course those aren't the people who are going to be living without a regular income when Op quits her job and finds she isn't going to get into either easily.

Then the reality of people who have been there come in.
I'd be interested on these many threads that come every year if there is anyone who has actually quitted their job and become successful in either of those two fields.

The odds may not be high but I work with two people who became GPs in their mid life One was previously a senior nurse in A and E so not as huge a jump. The other was ex RAF. No A levels so did access course then usual degree and hospital training. Now a GP. She says she hated her time at university but was determined to get through it. Even then the odds were stacked against her. She said something like only a handful maybe 2 or 3 from the access year she was on eventually became doctors.
Another left field one was a guy I know who left the police after doing a divinity degree and became a Church of Scotland minister in his 40s. He worked the finances by getting his bosses to agree he could work 12 hour nightshifts on Friday and Saturday - 6pm to 6am in the city centre so he was still getting 24/40ths of a salary. Probably nearer 3/4 in the after tax amount. Weekend cop - Mon - Fri student for 3 years.

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