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Original poster

Quitting job to have a break - foolish or ok?

41 replies

Shazzanwnw · 04/02/2020 20:18

I’ve been in my current job for 18 months and don’t enjoy it at all - the work load is crazy, lots of pressure, poor management, unfriendly team etc etc. I constantly feel unwell and exhausted and have been feeling very stressed and unhappy for a while now.

Recently i’ve been considering quitting and taking a break. I am not sure how long for, possibly just to have a couple of months off and then look for a new job or maybe a bit longer if I decide to re-train or travel (both are possibilities at the moment).

I could support myself using savings for up to 12 months (although this would be living frugally and would deplete my savings). If I decided to travel or take longer off I could look at renting my house out.

I am nearly 40 and single and just feel trapped where I am, I never have the energy to look for another job and am not sure I even want to do the same role anymore.

My job is reasonably well paid and before it I had a couple of months out of work after being made redundant from my previous job so sometimes I think it would be madness to give it up to be unemployed and other times I think it’s making me bloody miserable and life’s too short to stay in this situation and that I should take a break if that’s what I think I need.

Do you think if I was applying for jobs in 6 months this would go against me? How could I explain it in a way that wouldn’t put people off?

OP posts:
Ursaminor · 04/02/2020 21:01

You have the money and are single - why not? You only regret the things you don't do. I did it - left my job at 39 and had a year out travelling the world. I rented out my house, got a rucksack and a round the world ticket and never regretted it. You'll come back with a different point of view and a better idea of your priorities. As long as you can explain what you did with your time out it shouldn't put people off. They just want to know you weren't in prison then!

Original poster
Shazzanwnw · 05/02/2020 01:04

Yes that's what I keep thinking - that I am fairly responsibility free and should take advantage of that.

A year travelling sounds amazing, not sure I am that brave where did you go?

OP posts:
AutumnRose1 · 05/02/2020 01:14

In terms of explaining it, say you wanted a break and you’re now looking to make a long term commitment in the next role.

Even if you don’t go travelling, you can tell them you have, lol.

I know a couple of people who have taken time off in similar circumstances. It was my original plan to loaf for a while after redundancy but I was going to say travelling! In the end, my dad got cancer and I just told the truth about time out for caring. The redundancy was voluntary but so far no one has queried it, interestingly.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
AutumnRose1 · 05/02/2020 01:16

PS you could go round England and say you were travelling, it would be true! Just don’t pretend you’ve been somewhere you’ve never been Grin

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/02/2020 01:19

I'd take the year and go travelling. I did at 30. At least then you can say you've done something, not dossed around for a few months.

Casino218 · 05/02/2020 01:32

For your next job how are you planning to explain the break in your CV?

MrsTerryPratchett · 05/02/2020 01:34

On my CV at the time it was travelling. Now it's 2011-2012 Blah Org 2013-2014 Thingy Org no months!

Reluctantbettlynch · 05/02/2020 07:50

Definitely travel.

Fingerbobs · 05/02/2020 08:18

Definitely take the time if you can, and travel if you can. No reasonable employer’s going to worry about someone who has the gumption to make changes or experience the world. If they did you wouldn’t want to work for them. You have every possible reason to be happier now, go for it Flowers

EvaHarknessRose · 05/02/2020 08:25

As long as you are prepared to take anything on your return and are self disciplined enough to plan the return to work promptly. Look for some back up job options now. Spend a few months in work planning your travels so you leave for a reason (people will then admire your guts rather than criticise you). I would also consider keeping an eye on jobs while travelling (you can apply remotely and do first interviews on Skype - obviously only plum roles you don't want to miss out on).

dimsum123 · 05/02/2020 08:32

Go travelling! You will never regret it. You'll meet so many different people, try new foods, cultures, do things you'd never do at home.

I left a very good job many years ago to go travelling for a year. It was the best year of my life! And since then I've got married had DCs etc, but I would still say it was the best year ever!

Do it! Don't have a plan, just book a flight and then go where the mood takes you. That's what I did. Ended up spending 6 months in Australia which I hadn't planned on and a month in NZ again which I hadn't planned on.

lightnesspixie · 05/02/2020 08:34

Do it!

dimsum123 · 05/02/2020 08:34

When I came back I just said I'd been traveling and employers just wanted to see my passport to make sure I hadn't been in prison for a year! Because I worked in a highly regulated industry. Other than that they weren't at all bothered.

user14928465 · 05/02/2020 08:44

You only regret the things you don't do.

Not true.

I would make a plan whilst still earning then resign to pursue it. Whether it's travel, retraining, trying out casual work, or something else. Quitting without a clue and then foundering will probably just make you feel trapped, depressed and equally exhausted.

Did you find the redundancy process and job hunting stressful? Going through a stressful life experience like redundancy and then into a stressful job (that you felt you had no choice but to take?) would burn anyone out.

RedRec · 05/02/2020 08:44

Absolutely do it, OP.
I did exactly the same six months ago as couldn't stand the stress and overwork of my job any longer.
I have minimal savings but have been dipping into a pension pot to fund this (I am 57 so luckily have been able to get money out of the pension since the age of 55).
Some would say this is reckless - I say it is the best thing I could have done and have not regretted it for a minute. I have my life back.
I am now training in a totally different (niche) field and am really looking forward to the future, doing my new job as a self employed person.

YappityYapYap · 05/02/2020 08:55

Just write on your CV that you had plenty of savings so you travelled a bit and volunteered, something you always wanted to do and now you've done that, you are ready to commit to the next role. Just be vague about where you travelled to and what you volunteered doing! Like a PP said, maybe go on a holiday or go to some places in the UK and volunteer for a week so you can say you did it!

AmyFl · 05/02/2020 09:01

Dimsum123
when you say that the employers wanted to see your passport, were they checking the stamps in it to check you had actually travelled?

dimsum123 · 05/02/2020 09:10

@AmyFI, yes, my first job back was in a bank and they wanted to see the entry and exit stamps.

I did spend time in Europe on my way back so had no stamps for that, so technically the dates I gave for traveling didn't match the stamps but it didn't seem to bother them.

So I would say if you do go travelling, keep the proof in case it's needed on your return.

Hedgehogparty · 05/02/2020 09:19

You sound very unhappy in the job. Life is too short for that.
I’d go for it since you have thought about various options for when you get back.

TheReef · 05/02/2020 09:28

Do it. If you can afford it then do it!

There's nothing more soul destroying that a shitty job with nothing redeeming about it.

I started a new job and lasted 3 months before handing my notice in with no job to go to (it was a really senior role paying a lot), but it was the best thing I ever did. I got another role really quickly and I'm so much happier. Actually the role probably came along too soon as I wanted more time off Grin

Kernowgal · 05/02/2020 09:44

Another one who says do it! I've done it several times and never regretted it.

I quit and went volunteering for a few months to build up my skills - is that something you could do?

I have never regretted leaving a job I hated, even if it meant a bit of worry while I looked for something else. Depends how easily you can find work where you live.

norealshepherds · 05/02/2020 09:46

Definitely go travelling!!

bruffin · 05/02/2020 09:50

I gave up my job in 2018. I had been there 11 years and I wanted to go to NZ for a month. I was 56 so a bit risky. Came back in November had a couple of interviews before xmas including my current job and started here last feb. It was my perfect job!

SW16 · 05/02/2020 09:59

Work out what you really want to do that will be an investment in your future and go for it.

Have the plan before you resign and leave at the right time to enact it. The knowledge that you have a plan and an exit strategy will make the last weeks bearable.

A month travelling followed by a course or qualification that will give you more choice, money and power when you return.

Is your pension in good shape? Take advice on the impact of that.

Take a lodger? Someone who needs a room in town in the week for work?

everydaypilates · 05/02/2020 10:02

Sure why not?

I think it'll be difficult for you to go back to something with a gap on your CV. There is a lot of competition nowadays to get a job so think very carefully before you quit.