What’s your experience of handing in your notice without a job to go to?

[MsStillwell]

And should I do the same?

I haven’t and deeply regret staying in a job that utterly wrecked my confidence and mental health. If I were in the same situation again I would try to find something else but have a date by which I’d would go regardless. In saying that, I’m in a profession that always has vacancies, and a small business that I could build up if need be.

I wonder if it’s worth taking some time off and having a think about what you might do in terms of self employment. Does your sector have a strong temp or agency workforce (eg bank nursing, supply teaching) that you could do if it care to it?

Thoughts about pensions are definitely a factor for me. I'm 42 and I guess I'm were most people are..? It's hard to judge as I come from a background where people don't do pensions. Or mortgages.

I’m in a profession that always has vacancies, and a small business that I could build up if need be.

Sounds great!

(I don't mean that to sound sarcastic).

Not sarcastic at all and tbh I’ve worked things out this way after spending far too long in a job that made me very unwell. I never wanted to be out of options, so retrained and am much more flexible in my work life.

I have done it twice. First time I was in a job that was boring and hence I was massively demotivated. Took a bit of time out before job hunting, it took about 4 months to land a new job in an industry I had never contemplated before. That went really well and worked as a good 'reset'

Second time I quit to go contracting. Took about 2 months to land a contract - but then ended up earning a lot of money over the next few years.

Having said that neither of these times was during a global pandemic. I was job hunting earlier this year and it is a nightmare - some jobs getting hundreds or even thousands of applicants (for fairly specialised and senior roles).

Yes, two years ago but made a wrong choice and had to quit again.

Wouldn't dare do it now

I’ve just handed my notice in.

How do you feel?

It really depends on why you feel you want to.
If you’re bored and feel you can’t be bothered/not fulfilled/whatever, search for a new one and quit when you have it.
If your physical or mental health is suffering, get your ducks in a row so to speak (sort out your budgeting, throw together some savings etc) so you can coast for a little bit then do it.
A few years ago my mental health took a nosedive at work. This started due to a colleague-turned-line manager bullying me, and didn’t really pick up after she was made to leave. More and more was being added to my role and no support given even when it was begged for. I had some savings and my husband earns a good wage, so we didn’t struggle thankfully.
It’s not ideal, and will require careful planning. But if needed, then necessary.

@Porcupineinwaiting erm, lighter, shocked, scared and excited.

I did it at a job I was being bullied in. I was lucky though - my parents had seen such a dramatic change in me in just a month there that they offered to help for 3 months if I left. They were worried about my mental health. I actually had an AIBU thread started in desperation crying in the loo on my lunch, asking if I should just walk out. I wanted to be talked down!

I got my new job just as the 3 months was up and it was stressful finding one but it was worth it, I think. Giving my notice was fine- I had the very real reason that DM was having an op and I'd be required to care for her (may have hammed up the care required), I was so new I had no entitlement to the time off needed, we should all cut our losses. Luckily my parents are older & they already knew mum needed an op, so it seemed natural. Terrifying but worth it. The rest I got was much needed. Good luck with your job hunt!

@MrsToothyBitch thank you for sharing your experience and I'l take that luck you're offering me

I did when we were moving for my husband’s job and I was about to have my second child. I had a suitable very, very part -time, flexible job within a fortnight of the move. I guess the bid thing was that we weren’t depending on my income.

I am so so so pleased for you. As someone who was made very unwell by my job. I was going to say there is no need for you to suffer. Take a break and work something else out. You can’t even see the options properly you are ground down by a job.
A heartfelt congratulations

Thank you! I just hope that I'm brave enough to see this all through.