Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#1

Post by bsjak » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 1:14 AM UTC

I’m currently working in a very toxic environment and it’s starting to affect my life outside of work in negative ways. I have money saved up, don’t live an extravagant lifestyle, and have around 7 years of experience but I do know how challenging the job market has been which worries me. I would also be leaving my current company towards the end of the year when not many people are hiring.

When asking my friends and colleagues what to do, I always get the same answer of either wait until you find something else to quit or wait until they fire you, but whatever you do don’t leave with no offer in hand.

I agree with their approach in general but I’m just really burned out and don’t have the mental energy to come home from a 10 hour day and start preparing for interviews. Ideally I would like time to prepare adequately for interviews and really think about what I want to do next instead of just taking the next thing I’m offered because I’m so desperate to leave my current position.

I’m at a point in my life where I don’t want to sacrifice my mental health just to get the next paycheck, but maybe I’m being foolish and just need to get through it.

Has anyone navigated a situation like this before?

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#2

Post by foundart » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 1:59 AM UTC

I've navigated burnout and some slightly toxic environments.

I bailed on a job in 2022 when I was tired of it and the hiring market was still good. The hiring market turned and it took me a long time to get something new once I was ready. Fortunately, I had a significant cushion.

Prerequisite to taking up any of my suggestions that follow: How long do you think it would take you to get a new job? Triple that estimate. Can you go that long without pay?

If the answer is no, stop reading here.

Regarding prepping / searching while working - have you considered dialing back your hours to give yourself more energy for the search? If they don't like it... well, if you are still comfortable with your financial cushion given my first question, then at least you will have made some progress toward your next thing while still getting paid.

Another way to assess how you feel about staying: Take at least a week and a half off. Several of my job changes have occurred after some time off. It made the suckitude of the current job so obvious that I quit waffling about it and started looking.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#3

Post by himeexcelanta » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 1:59 AM UTC

If you have money saved up and you’re willing to take on some (relative) risk, then getting out of a situation where you’re burned out is probably best. Long term burnout can cause serious health issues which could affect your ability to find work, but also to do a good job in whichever is your next opportunity.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#4

Post by paulcole » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 2:04 AM UTC

Make them let you go so that you at least have a shot at unemployment.

These kinds of places are often terrible at documenting things and contesting unemployment claims so the odds are in your favor.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#5

Post by wcunning » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 2:07 AM UTC

I think a lot of people feel the same way. Not to say that I'm in a comparable situation -- I also want to leave, but there are good days and bad days and I don't feel nearly as economically comfortable as I'd like to leave, etc etc.

I guess a response question to you, OP, how bad is the job if you just start doing less? It's not like you care about promotion chances or long term outcomes, so just do exactly what's assigned and nothing more.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#6

Post by randyrand » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 2:09 AM UTC

Do it!

Why do you need something lined up? Take a long vacation.

Go enjoy life. Take a year off, two. You’ll be happy you did.

Life is a lot more flexible than people think.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#7

Post by bsjak » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 2:25 AM UTC

wcunning wrote: post #5

I think a lot of people feel the same way. Not to say that I'm in a comparable situation -- I also want to leave, but there are good days and bad days and I don't feel nearly as economically comfortable as I'd like to leave, etc etc. I guess a response question to you, OP, how bad is the job if you just start doing less? It's not like you care about promotion chances or long term outcomes, so just do exactly what's a…

It’s pretty difficult because my manager is very incompetent and micro manages everything, he has called my personal phone after hours many times asking about things

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#8

Post by add-sub-mul-div » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 2:40 AM UTC

After a 25 year software dev career I quit my toxic job 18 months ago and haven't worked since. I haven't even tried looking for a job. I've become too disgusted with and mismatched with the industry.

My savings won't take me to social security age but I'm damn tempted to live only another ten years on my own terms rather than work for 20 more and live for 15 more after that in failing health.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#9

Post by abhishekpandey » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 3:03 AM UTC

Take a break, especially if you have money saved up. I have done that in the past and don't regret it. Yes, it may take a few months (prepare for the worst) BUT no one deserves to suffer in a toxic work environment.

Re: Ask HN: Want to leave my job with nothing lined up

#10

Post by friendly_deer » Sun, Aug 03, 2025, 3:42 AM UTC

I know burnout can be extremely difficult.

Take a 2 week vacation first. Make sure it’s 2 weeks (or more, if you can swing it). One is not enough. Actually travel—it doesn’t matter where. Just get out of your normal environment and habits for a little while.

You’re not aiming to solve burnout with the vacation, but only getting some time and space to think and gain a little more perspective.