I quit..

[dontgetscarednow]

I quit my toxic job, after months of deliberating and it negatively affecting my mental health.. today was my last day and I'm officially a free woman.

I feel slightly anxious about having left but it feels like a weight off my shoulders knowing I don't ever have to go back.

Why is part of me still doubting my decision though?

Well it depends if you are able to meet your financial commitments mostly. If you can, then you'll be ok!
I know what it feels like and your health is worth more than any job.
Good luck with finding something better.

Congratulations! A brave but smart decision. Very best of luck for your future, I'm sure it'll be bright 🌞

Write down your reasons for leaving. Have a look at it whenever you second guess your decision. If you're anything like me, you'll instantly see that your decision was sensible.

Well done. I did this a couple of years ago, no job to go to but a huge relief.

because you've been conditioned, much like an abuse victim that your worth is somehow linked to the toxic environment. This is why you're apprehensive. You Know you've made the right decision, now go out there and heal. Get back to being you. Give yourself time to decompress.

With any major decision I think there will always be an element of ‘well what if I had done X instead?’ but it sounds like this was the right move based on what you’ve said. No job should be at the expense of your health, enjoy your freedom and may you move on to bigger and better things.

For what it’s worth my DP quit a toxic job a few years ago. He had nothing to go to but we had savings and my wage (luckily he got something new quickly anyway). He was absolutely miserable, on medication for his depression and not sleeping. The change in him after leaving was genuinely miraculous. Like a new man. He even came off his meds eventually because what he’d assumed was general depression was entirely down to the job. Best of luck to you.

Thank you all, I've been thinking about it for a good 6 months.

Once I started to get migraines and panic attacks I realised it was not only just affecting me, but my children too.

I quite literally feel like I can feel a physical weight lifted from my shoulders. I've had so many sleepless nights. I feel a bit lost though as doing this has been all that has occupied my mind for months so now it's like.. what now.

Luckily I have savings and very few financial commitments

@Sparklesocks thank you. I think you're right.. even though I can feel deep down it's the right thing a part of me is like oh.. I've left myself without a job. Should I have stuck it longer, or just the voice in my head telling me I'm a bit pathetic not being able to stick it.

Change is hard, so you will always doubt yourself. But if the overwhelming feeing is freedom then you know you have made the right choice.

I'm in awe, actually. It's something that I am considering doing. I have savings but am also recently single so really don't have few outgoings - all costs are now down to me and I'm slightly drowning. So maybe not the best time to quit!

Have you got a partner who carries some of the financial burden?

Sorry, completely made that all about me, when what I want to say is WOOHOO go you!!

Well, so what if you are a bit pathetic? You have every right to leave a job you don’t need to do , don’t want to do, and is making you feel awful. What do you need to prove, and to whom?

I have been in your shoes and was quite happy to admit that I couldn’t cut it in the toxic, political, workaholic blame culture that was my workplace. I didn’t like being shouted at and taken for granted. So I opted to leave.

I had moments feeling guilty (abandoning a few nice people to their fates) but the guilt wasn’t overwhelming. I felt an incredible relief and took some time to regroup and find a better job.

I’ve done this before. It was scary but the right choice. Take a breather then regroup.

It’ll take a while to unhook from the pressure you put yourself under to stay. In a week or two it will just feel as clear as a bell and you will revel in the relief fully.

I hate a great boss once who said it’s like once you’ve decided to break up with someone you remember the good bits and worry about the changes but once that’s normal and you’re only human. Onwards and upwards.

Congratulations on being brave and putting your health first. You were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

This new adventure could be the making of you.

Remember the answer is within you!

Leaving a toxic job is great. I did it without having another job to go to but I just couldn't cope staying anymore. Took me 5 weeks to start in my next job, I was slightly bored but it was good to have the time off too 🤣

I did this a few years ago without anything else lined up. It was the best thing I ever did! All the best OP

I did this last year and I had the same feelings. My notice period I kept worrying whether I’ve done the right thing and thoughts kept cropping up like am I the problem?! I’m in touch with some people at my previous job and the problems are still there!

Thank you everyone! I think I’ll probably have a couple of months to decompress and then start looking again x

Well done OP. Jobs do not define us. Sounds like you made the right decision.

I quit a toxic job oncs. I was seriously sexually assaulted by a close colleague at a work event on the premises. I reported it to HR, my manager and the police. Police had no evidence and the management team couldn’t care less.
what I should have done was walked away immediately. What i did was work there another year - partly in the same department and then eventually in a different department when my mental health got too bad to cope with it.
I eventually left when I had a new venture lined up - my own business.
I think the reason I stayed was because it’s so Ingrained in people not to quit and walk away. You can’t gasp walk out of your job! What will you do now?? You need to have a job!
actually it shows much more strength to be able to hold your head up high and say I’m worth more than this. And walk away.
put yourself first and don’t ever doubt that decision.
I loved my 5 years self employed and never regretted leaving. My only regret is I didn’t leave sooner.
I am now in a much better paid job with better hours, loads more holiday and employers who care. Good luck!

Congratulations! Enjoy some time off to reset and recover. I think it’s entirely normal to have doubts around such a big decision but it sounds like you’ve 100% done the right thing.

I’m in the same situation but haven’t been brave enough to leave yet with nothing lined up to go on to (I’m the sole income for the family). I’ve set a deadline of end March and if things aren’t better I need to leave for my own health and the good of my kids.

OP sounds like you have definitely done the right thing if you start to feel a little bored due to not working I am sure your local area has many volunteering opportunities it could be something completely different to what you’ve done previously but it could open the door to a new career good luck OP

My friend did this. She then got a small pet time job for 20 hours a week to give her some breathing space. I think you e done the right thing if it was toxic.

I quit mine too! I’ve been very conditioned into thinking that you have to stick at things and it’s weak to quit but in the end I had to overcome all that and have the courage to put my mental health first. I have a lot of guilt about money when we are so in debt but the relief I will feel when I don’t have to go will be worth it.

Gosh I am so tempted to quit my job(s) on reading these posts!