Tell HN: I think I'm quitting my job today

I find that many people in your situation make this all or nothing decision when it doesn't have to be. Why not start looking for a new job today and when you actually find one, then quit. No need to put so much pressure on yourself. If you can't find a job within a month or two, well then your question is answered, don't quit. If you can find a better job, then get out of there.

If it's a good pay, perhaps you could offer your employer to do contract jobs mostly working from home. This way you get an easier transition money-wise. It all depends on many factors about your current job.

I think you will be making the right decision.

A year ago, I was working for a web design firm working with the Drupal content management system. I wasn't the greatest at it, but I was in the position to learn and grow my skillset and not have people upset at me for getting things in late or asking questions... rather they were excited because I was learning and saw the potential I saw in myself. Needless to say, I wasn't working there too much longer, for personal reasons. However, I missed the job like no other. I had finally found a job I could truly love.

After that, with the economy the way it has been, I bounced from a tree care company (working with a friend, not so terrible) to a fast food restaurant (horrible, never again) and then to a call center providing tech support for Blackberry phones to people who under other circumstances should seriously find a twelve step program for their addiction to those damned devices. Bouncing around, I thought I would never get the opportunity I once had. I missed it terribly and pined for it regularly.

And then I found it. After two weeks working part time as a contractor, I was asked to leave my job because they (my new employer) knew they could provide me with enough work and I was doing better than they expected as far as quality of work and timeliness of delivery were concerned. I didn't give it a second thought. I hate not working with the web. I am totally and thoroughly enamored by this technology and know that if I could stay in this career field I will be happy.

The point is... do what you love. Don't hesitate, don't second guess, just do it. You won't regret it. :)

Another perspective might be to quit mentally, but keep going in every day (so you can collect the paycheck, ins., etc). If you can allow yourself to get over the feeling you "have" to be there everyday, you will feel empowered. Don't let them get to you, you need to feel like you have the upper hand. So, let go of the fear and uncertainty of not having a job, embrace the fact that you can leave at any minute and you will feel much better. Once you know you can leave at any minute and the job doesn't define you, they no longer have control over you. In the meantime, go and look for another job or figure out what you want to do; when everything is lined up you can stop going to your job. Good luck

My one recommendation would be to have a plan. Don't quit your job or start a startup just to do so - just because you feel like that's what people on HN do. Do it for a reason - an organic solution you've derived form a problem you see in your life is best. And have a plan, as to how you want to attack that solution and problem. While the plan will likely become obsolete in a week, it helps you iterate when you've already thought about where you're headed...

To answer your question directly though; no, there's nothing wrong with quitting your job.