Has anyone just resigned without another job?

[Needachange123]

I am seriously fed up in my job. I’ve been there far too long, haven’t progressed much, I am not learning anything. I don’t like my manager and I don’t really feel valued. The only thing is is that I am not badly paid for what I do, but I am just unhappy.

I am in my late 20s and just feel like I have achieved nothing in my career. I am not even sure I like what I do. I am considering moving abroad later this year and doing something different, but I just need a change asap here… and I’ve been seriously thinking about just handing in my notice without another job.

I know it’s a huge risk, and I can’t live without an income, but if I find myself in a position where I don’t have a job, I’d have to find one…

Has anyone done this and did it work out?

Please be kind!

I have walked out of jobs twice without another to go to but both in my early/mid twenties and before I had the responsibility of a mortgage. I've also been made redundant in more recent years. Do you have savings to tide you over? I've always been lucky and founds new jobs quickly but I dont work in a particularly niche industry and my skills are transferable to different roles within the industry.

If you can I'd stick it out doing the minimum while you look for something else.

If you have a safety net, like savings that would tide you over for a few months, then it's not a bad idea. If not, start saving hard now and applying for jobs, and set yourself a deadline for when you'll quit even if you have nothing lined up.

I've done it once to get away from a horrible bullying boss (after spending a year wanting to do it but being too scared). I took some time out for myself, to rest and recover, and then got a far better job.

I found job hunting much easier after I'd left than when I was still there, I was so stressed out and worn down at the time and it probably came across in interviews.

Lots of people will say it's foolish, will set you back, etc, but that wasn't my experience at all. Good luck OP.

I’ve done this twice, but while I was living in London with transferable skills meaning I knew I had a pretty good chance of getting something else asap, which I did.

Depends on your situation- I was quite badly stressed in both these roles. If you’re more just fed up it might be worth applying for stuff while you are still working or organising plans to move abroad while still getting your monthly pay packet.

I have, but I had savings and a partner. If you have neither, then being unable to pay your rent and bills, getting into debt, and having to navigate the benefits system isn’t going to make you feel happier or more valued.

If you’re willing to do any job to get away from your current one then sign up to an agency and take a walk around your town/city: you’ll find countless bars, restaurants and shops offering jobs to start more or less immediately.

I did but I was mid 30s before mortgage. I temped (reception/admin) till got permanent role - so wasn’t out of work even for a day.

Yes but I could afford to do so.

I have had many, many jobs where I hated it but I couldn't afford not to have an income, which you say is the situation you're in now so sorry I think you need to suck it up. It's called life.

I did in my late 20s without any savings but also without any real responsibilities. I also quit my rented flat and my relationship the same week! I found a fixed term contract very quickly but it was 15 years ago and in London. Life is too short to be in a job that makes you unhappy (or indeed any situation)

I have - I applued for and interviewed for a different job, didn't get it, but realised I really had mentally moved on from the role I was in. Resigned with nothing else to go to, partially to make it easier for my employers - would have been a PITA for me to leave midway through a term as I knew I'd be continuing to look for another job.

But - I had a partner whose income covered our outgoings just about, and some savings. Has that not been the case I would have waited to resign and not worried about potentially leaving them in the lurch.

I have a few times. Was done either when I had no real financial responsibilities or with a safety net of having a partner, although we still needed two incomes. Did give me the motivation to search for another job during my notice period though. Always had a job either by the time I left or a month or two after. If you are able to cope financially for a small period without guaranteed income then it would get you out of a situation that's not serving you.
So easy to get stuck in a job you dislike because it's the norm. Change is hard but can be liberating.

Husband did it last year.
We're financially ok, so he could.
He was sick of his work place and burned out from the covid years.
He had 10 weeks off, he applied for about 12, 4-5 interviews, looked at job sites and worked with recruiters.
If you have 3 months expenses saved and are employable I say do it if you're miserable.

Sorry OP, I didnt mean to be harsh, but if you need the income don't risk it. Put a plan in place and start looking for another job, knowing you've got an escape plan will make you feel better about things. I know what it's like, I've been there, I've had so many jobs I've hated. Good luck, you'll find something soon I'm sure 🙂

Honestly I’m so tempted to do this.

Could have written the exact post although I’m younger than you. I can’t live without an income but my first day back at work today just reminded me of how much I hate the place.

It’s insane that a couple of weeks off wasn’t enough for me to relax and reset, I just instantly felt annoyed after a team meeting that dragged on and on and led to ARGUMENTS between other colleagues. I was just thinking “is this ridiculous place really a valuable use of my time?”