Okay, so it didn’t go quite like that. But I did quit my job. Last Friday was my final day.
It wasn’t a sudden decision. I had been planning to leave for months. A change in company ownership created a new atmosphere in which I didn’t care to participate. But the reasons I left aren’t nearly as important as the circumstances that allowed me to make the leap.
If you’ve been following along for awhile, you probably know what I’m about to say.
Not having consumer debt and living a moderately minimalist lifestyle is completely to credit for my being able to leave a job that was no longer a good fit for me. Without the confines of consumer debt payments, I don’t need as much income.
This isn’t to say that I won’t still be earning income, because I will. Just not the traditional salaried way. I have enough freelance work to keep me busy for months. And if I decide to pursue traditional work down the road, I can do that too!
Leaving a salaried job for the great unknown might sound crazy to some of you, but I have some great reasons for making the leap. The following three reasons I decided to part ways with my full-time job are the most important:
- For several years Kirk and I worked hard, paid off consumer debts and saved up a nice financial cushion. One of the primary reasons we did this was to create more freedom in our working lives.
- I have a two and a half year old little boy that will never be two and half again. Having been through this once before with my older son, I know how fleeting this before-school age is and that I can never get this time back. I’ve chosen to arrange my life in a way that will allow me to continue to spend as much time as possible with my sweet little boy before he’s off to school.
- I want to spend my time working on projects that I love, with people I love. While I won’t always get both, I have a great opportunity to choose clients and work I feel good about.
So what does this mean for things here at Ex-Consumer?
More of the same, really. I plan to continue to write here as I have, but my perspective on things will likely continue to shift as I experience life from a new angle. It should be an interesting life experiment. I love to shake things up every now and again.
Thank you so much to all of you that have taken this ride with me so far. I’m looking forward to sharing with you all of the new challenges and successes this life change might bring!
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Congratulations! This is a tremendous step forward that could only be accomplished with your debt destroying diligence. Good luck on this new stage in your life.
Thank you so much Tyler!
I love it Jenny – congratulations. I look forward to reading all about your adventures as you move forwards. As ever you are blazing a trail – one that I am following (in my own way). My consumer debt should be all done and dusted (paid in full) in 12-18 months time – plus (now that we have a savings account) there should be some savings. I will then, like you now, be in a position to leave my current job and do something different. At present I’m looking at going back to school – but who knows what the Universe has in store for me!
Steve
I’m so excited about the progress you’ve made already Steve! It’s going to be exciting to see which way you end up heading as the months progress.
Good for you, Jenny! Welcome to the freelancer’s club
I’ve been freelancing for a few years now, and while I know I could be doing more to attain clients and more income, I have the luxury to take on the projects that I want because I am debt-free and don’t need a lot of money to survive (for now). I’ve really been enjoying your posts and now I look forward to learning some tips from you now that you’re free!
Thank you Catherine! I’m so in love with your new creations. It’s been such a joy to watch you grow as an artist over the past several years.
Thanks, Jenny, same here!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO JENNY!!!!!!!!!
It’s sweeeeeeeeet, isn’t it? And you’ve earned it, too. Best wishes for this new stage of life–I was gonna say best of luck, but the way you’ve set things up, you don’t need luck to make it work!
Thank you Meg! It’s going to be quite an adventure.
And a little luck never hurts! Ha, ha.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read about your new experiences.
Thanks Kandice! I can’t wait to hear about yours as well.
Congratulations, Jenny, and welcome to your new life! Life 2.0?
Thanks Mike.
You have decided to earn less instead of more. Living counter-culturally takes courage, faith and a worldview where people are more important than things. You will never have regrets for making such a decision. Greetings from Brazil.
Thanks for the encouragement Robinson. I’m guessing this might not be such a radical choice in Brazil.
Why not a radical choice in Brazil? I’m missing something
I might be making the wrong assumption Robinson, but I always think Brazilians prioritize personal time and fulfillment over the quest for material gains. Maybe I’m totally off base, though. I would love to hear your perspective.
Oh, now I understand what you say. It’s not your fault. The image foreigners have on Brazil is based on what is available via TV and other communication channels. I know most North-americans and Europeans think of Brazil as the land of sun, beach, soccer, samba, carnival, jungles, indians, Rio de Janeiro, birds and even monkeys! This is the common exported image of my country. However, today Brazil is the world’s 6th economy ahead of UK, Italy, Spain, etc. Consumerism and materialism define our people for the last 30 years, especially in south and southeast. I wish the image of a people prioritizing personal time could be true. Brazilians, unfortunately, seek riches and power as much as North-americans, Europeans and other nations. Personal relationships, rest, family and other important values are at serious risk. It’s true we still have around 16 million living under poverty line, but this is less than 10% of the population. I wish you the best, Jenny. I’m absolutely inspired by your example.
Oh wow. Thank you for the clarification Robinson. You’re right, I had the idea that Brazilians prioritized liesure and social ties more than consumerism.
I guess I need to do some serious traveling, huh?
I am so proud of you! Way to go Jenny!
Thanks Sheri!!!
wow jenny, this is so awesome, i am truly jealous! but your story is so inspiring it’s making me take a second look at working towards a minimal lifestyle again.
Thanks Marianne. I know right now it’s probably hard to think about anything other than caring for your baby and staying awake at work! As the months progress, it will get easier. Right now I can say for certain that it was all worth it!
I’m a new reader, but I come here for inspiration on living life on my own terms, and this is just what I mean! Congratulations, and keep us updated on this new phase of life.
Welcome my honest answer. I’m so glad you’re here!
It sounds like we have a similar outlook on life.
I’m also new to your blog, and am so glad I joined just as you announced this major decision. What an inspiration this is to all of us who aspire to a more minimalistic lifestyle! I look forward to your future posts as you journey through this phase of your life.
Hi Rose, welcome!
If you’re walking down a minimalist path now, keep going. I had no idea all of these wonderful freedoms were waiting around the corner when I started down this road a couple years ago.
Way to go Jenny!
You worked toward this goal with smart decisions and it’s paid off. The stress level is so much lower, having a decent savings and no debt. It opens up so much more in life, especially if you can embrace minimalism (as you have!).
Thanks Jeff!
You nailed it. My stress level is so much lower than it was a few years ago.
It’s amazing I didn’t figure out this path sooner!
Congratulations Jenny! Good luck with it all! I quit the 9-5 back in 2006 to go freelance, and have never looked back. In fact I’m starting to wonder if I’ve quit freelance also of late, I decided to take 3 months off late 2010, (apart from some volunteer work) – I don’t appear to have raised any invoices since:-) oops!
Sincerely good luck Hun.
Thank you so much Jo.
I know you went down a similar path as I’m on now. It will be interesting to see if I ever catch up to you.
Congrats on not only making the decision that you feel is right for you and your family…..but on being able to comfortably make that decision because you’re consumer debt free! So happy for you!
Thanks Travis! It’s been a heck of a few years.
Wow – I just discovered your blog and this is a pretty inspirational post! Congratulations on your new freedom! It’s exciting to be able to design life on your own terms.
Now I need to go back and read all your archive posts to read about how you got there!
Hi Sheri,
I’m so glad you’re here!
And yes, life is short and we live in a time where we have the option to design a life to our liking. What a fortunate place to be!
Holy moly! That is awesome to be able to do so! We share some of the same reasons for doing it as well.
Congrats, and may your dreams take you as far as you wish.
-Rich
Hey Rich!
I hope you’re having an amazing time hanging out in Guatemala. I’ve really been enjoying those gorgeous photos of your journey on Facebook.
Go Jenny that must feel so freeing!
Thanks Jenny! It’s great to hear from you.
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Congratulations. I know that the time between knowing you want to quit and actually being able to do it is a difficult period. We are in that now, but, there is an end in sight.
We are both quitting are jobs and moving back down to Colombia. We only have a car payment that we have to worry about but, I’m hoping to rent it out with relay rides. I’m glad there are more of us out there.