To consider quitting my awful job and take a sabbatical

[julieande]

Hi all, long time user but first time poster. I'd love to hear some opinions on my potential plan.

I am a 45 years old, soon to be divorced mother of 2 (6 and 10 years old). STBX and I split a year ago, amicable divorce and we coparent 50/50 now. STBX earns 4 times my very average salary.

I have been working for the same company for a long time in an admin role and I am absolutely sick of it. I hate my manager, I hate most of my colleagues, I hate sitting in an office all day long. I feel like I am wasting my life doing a job I have no interest nor passion for anymore. I want to quit, take some time off to spend with my DC and then retrain in a different career (not sure what yet).

Recently STBX and I sold a property we bought 20 years ago and we split the money, which means I now have over £200k in the bank. On top of that, I live in a country where I would get 80% of my salary for 2 years as unemployment benefits. That income plus my own money in the bank would give me ample time to explore other career options and retrain in something else, while still providing for my DC. My rent is pretty low, as are most of my living expenses. I calculated I could easily survive for at least 5 years before running out of money.

Am I totally mad for considering this? I spoke to STBX and he says it is my choice and he wouldn't have a problem with it.

Please tell us what country? Sounds very civilized

France also has crazy unemployment benefits. My SIL got something like that for a year after voluntarily quit. Her salary is around £50 per annum. She could have got another job, but deferred it.

First I thought you might be in Germany, but I don't think you'd get 80% for two years there so I don't know. If you are in a labour market that is similar to Germany, though, I'd have a look to see what the stats are on finding work "at your age". Not trying to imply anything, it's just that in some countries, labour markets can be incredibly ageist and it can be hard to get back into work. Love your plan, though, and wish you all the best!

Go for it! Seriously, life is WAY too short to be unhappy. You are lucky enough to be able to do this, so grab the opportunity in both hands.

Towrl Unfortunately where I live £200k would not be enough to buy a studio, let alone a flat to have my DC overnight!

In that case do you have secured housing? My concern would be that the money would be gone and I will have no fall back esp if I was renting. Otherwise why not it’s a good plan to have a break even for a year.

julieande be very careful to triple check that any qualifications you do in English are recognised for the specific career path you choose. You can easily end up with a largely decorative masters degree if you're not careful, and a bachelor's degree is almost worthless on its own as access to a new career in Germany.

I thought I'd do a psychology conversation masters and then professional Weiterbildung... Nope. To be a psychologist here you have to start from the beginning and do a bachelor's, a master's and professional qualifications even if you already have degrees - no conversion courses count.

Doesn't apply to everything but triple check any path you consider.

I know people say life is too short but really it’s a long long life and anything can happen such as illness, loss of job, loss of housing, accidents and I am too cautious and wouldn’t want to spend the money I have in the bank as that would be my security esp as I have kids so I couldn’t contemplate being without financial security.

If youre in Denmark think very carefully before you quit. I work at the jobcenter in dagpenge. Yes you can get dagpenge but you cannot use it to retrain unless you fulfill certain criteria. In fact one of my clients was crying in my office this morning about the pressure we put on her (apply for 2 realistic jobs per week). I was trying to persuade her to apply for student grant and loan instead which would be better for you. You can get extra grant as a single parent, double in fact. Plus you can borrow and as a single parent you can borrow more. Plus friplads plus increased child benefit. You end up with more than you do as a new graduate on benefits.

What do you want to retrain as?

Feel free to pm me.

catlady3
www.finanztip.de/bezugsdauer-arbeitslosengeld/

Could you go part-time to start with? Even with the same employer (if they would agree to it), you might find the job more tolerable if you aren't there all day every day.

Unfortunately going part time with my employer is not an option and it would be quite hard to find a part time job elsewhere in a similar position (the line of work is not very much part-time friendly).

Which country do you live in?

I live in Switzerland.

Ok I don't know anything about qualifications in Switzerland but the advice to triple check that any qualifications are recognised in Switzerland for entry into whatever professional area you choose still applies. I wouldn't imagine Switzerland is any less stringent/ awkward than Germany.

Notnow agree with you and I will definitely take your advice on board and double check.

Oops I did go on a bit personal experience...

I do think your plan is valid but do the thinking and deciding on a direction before you resign so as not to burn through the maximum 5 years before qualifying for your new career.

Don't hesitate - do it and then plan your future with a clear head (and a secure bank balance!). How exciting. Good luck.

Life is too short to be miserable.at work if you have any choice in the matter.
I quit in april.this year to work as a freelance writer.
Best thing I ever did

80% of salary, for two years!!! I am moving to Switzerland.

Thank you for your kind advice!!

Choose a career which isn't ageist. I worked in marketing and have found it ageist unfortunately.