Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#1

Post by indecisivecoder » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 9:46 PM UTC

Hey HN. Using a throwaway because I don't want to upset anybody.

I'm a developer (generalist), living in London, UK and working for a reasonably successful software company, in a reasonably successful position. I've been there for over 2yrs and it was my second job out of Uni, and where I've learned the majority of my skills. I'm 25, male.

For a few months now I've been considering quitting - I even tried once - because my heart isn't in it anymore. I'd planned to hand in my notice tomorrow. I've been fortunate and careful, and can afford to live off of savings for 2 or 3 months and still have left overs.

The trouble is, people are going to ask me, "So what's your plan next?" and the best answer I can think of is, "I'm not sure. I have a few ideas in the backlog."

I want to improve my skills, I want to work on some ideas I've had floating around, and I think if I'm "free" from employment I might be able to see a clearer path of what I want to do with my time. Ultimately, I'd like to be self-employed, but for now the most important thing to me is that I'm working on something where I'm learning a lot, being challenged, earning a modest salary and most of all, enjoying what I'm working on.

Given how indecisive I am about what I want to do, I'm afraid I'll just end up seeming like an entitled, waste-of-time person. That's not what I want.

I know there are many different paths to take in life, and I know I'm young so the world is my oyster. I'm kinda scared of what the future will hold if I do this, but I think if I stay at my job I'll be miserable.

I know there are folks out there who've been through similar things. I can't shake this feeling, it's been going on for months. Any advice?

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#2

Post by Raphmedia » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 9:58 PM UTC

I hate to answer with a quote, but this one has been quite important for me lately:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” - Steve Jobs

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#3

Post by indecisivecoder » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 10:02 PM UTC

Raphmedia wrote: post #2

I hate to answer with a quote, but this one has been quite important for me lately: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” - Steve Jobs

Raph, the fact that it is important to you is enough to suggest that it is your personal advice to me, so thanks :)

...I sure hope you're not using it as a cautionary tale ;)

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#4

Post by neurostimulant » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 10:18 PM UTC

> I'd planned to hand in my notice tomorrow. I've been fortunate and careful, and can afford to live off of savings for 2 or 3 months and still have left overs.

Hmmm, Isn't 2-3 months worth of saving too low? For comparison, freelancers I know would feel nervous if they don't have cash that can cover living expense for at least 6 months.

I think you should take long vacation and think it over before quitting.

Or, try to secure some freelancing contracts on your area of interests before quitting your old job.

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#5

Post by indecisivecoder » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 10:24 PM UTC

neurostimulant wrote: post #4

> I'd planned to hand in my notice tomorrow. I've been fortunate and careful, and can afford to live off of savings for 2 or 3 months and still have left overs. Hmmm, Isn't 2-3 months worth of saving too low? For comparison, freelancers I know would feel nervous if they don't have cash that can cover living expense for at least 6 months. I think you should take long vacation and think it over before quitting. Or, try…

Thanks for your reply!

To be honest, by my calculations I'd have roughly 10 months's worth of cash to live off, but I don't want to use it all. I want some of it eventually to go toward a big investment, and some to keep for when I end up in hot water not by my own choosing :)

As for a long vacation... I could possibly take a sabbatical, but I know that I wouldn't want to come back. I can't take any more days off as I've already used most of them, so it'd have to be a sabbatical.

The freelancing idea though, that's a goodun. I dunno where to start, to be honest, but it would be an interesting new experience.

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#6

Post by bnejad » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 10:28 PM UTC

You might want to set up another revenue source before you quit whether is be freelancing, another job, etc. Personally I'd never leave a job before I did that, regardless of how disillusioned I was.

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#7

Post by staunch » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 11:04 PM UTC

Find a new job, while you have your current job, but negotiate with the new company to start after N weeks.

The difference between a good job and a bad job is night and day. It's quite possible you can find somewhere that's very enjoyable. At the very least you can find something better.

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#8

Post by arjn » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 11:19 PM UTC

Take a week or two of vacation, think things over. Sometimes just taking a break and relaxing can give you ideas and put things in perspective. It has worked for me in the past.

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#9

Post by jacobquick » Wed, Sep 18, 2013, 11:37 PM UTC

The thing is if you quit before you have something else you have no leverage with your new employer, they can get you for whatever salary they offer?

Re: Ask HN: I want to quit my job. What am I doing?

#10

Post by BhavdeepSethi » Thu, Sep 19, 2013, 2:04 AM UTC

I swear this post feels like I've typed it word for word. I'm pretty much in the same situation except I'm planning for a Masters next year. Hoping to see good advice here.