The impact of quitting

Six months ago, I made the arduous decision to quit my job of 6 years, as I had enough of waiting for change to happen. It’s been 100 days since then, and I want to discuss some impact and change it’s had in my life.

Let’s begin with overall work-life balance. Mine has certainly improved since switching jobs, though there’s a way to go. From office-based to remote-first and working from home. I see more of my family, more on that later. Get more exercise. Have more time for pursues outside of work. Get outside more. I’m more engaged in work, managing my time and schedule. All of which contribute to a net-positive result.

Fitness, exercise, and activity. All important to me and areas I’ve wanted to work on. Working from home, summer too, has allowed me to be able to walk my son to nursery each day, when he’s not ill 🙄. There and back is about 6 km. That’s 6 km down before I’ve even started my day – super easy win to get me more active. When office-based, I had to take the bus up to the nursery most days just for time, as I needed to commute to the office from there. No more and never again.
I use an Apple Watch to track my activity, and in the 100 days since I left, I have closed all my rings. Rings being: active calories burned, exercise minutes completed and hours standing. 85 times, which in contrast to the 100 days before I quit 71 times. +14% improvement. I’ve got a move streak of 113 days — that’s closing my move ring for the last 113 days in a row. I’ve had a “new record” notification every day for months now. Not going to lie, it feels good.
Another benefit is that I’m able to head to the gym at lunchtime. Occasionally, I have, gone to the gym, done an Apple Fitness+ class then go home shower and back to work. Okay, I’ll admit it I’ve been failing at this for the most part, but the point here is that I can. Yes, I could have gone to a gym while office bound, but I’m not one of those people who can shower at the gym. Furthermore, having to rush around. Pass.

Undoubtably, the greatest impact has been on my time. Time, our greatest, most precious resource. Without a commute twice a day, I gained about 2 extra hours a day. That directly translates into more time with my wife and son in both the morning and in the evening. I used to get home in the middle of bath-time, and then, it’s a short hop to bedtime – no more. I’m there before bath-time, as I don’t need to waste my time in a sweaty bus. I’m home.
Over the course of the last 64 working days, that’s 128 additional hours with my family. An extra 5 days. Are you kidding me? That’s incredible.
Would you trade 5 whole days with your child to be shackled to a desk somewhere helping someone else get rich? Invariably the answer is a solid no. Absolute fucking win.
I’ve noticed the difference too, my son is closer with me. Simply because I’m around more.

Another benefit of course my increased salary. Money is a resource, a way to facilitate the exchange of goods or services. With that definition of money, I’ve accelerated the rate at which I’m accumulating resources. This directly translates into less stress, more assurance, more comfort and bringing goals closer. With my family growing, our needs are expanding and having a more comfortable salary really helps and brings peace of mind.
I can’t mention money and not mention the roaring demon in the room. Inflation. Holy $%&((). It seems globally that post-covid inflation is ubiquitous. In the UK, we’re over 10% inflation, crazy. A salary is now worth 10% less, your money just doesn’t go as far. Thankfully, I increase my salary by 44% with this switch. Even though inflation is gnawing away at my money just the same, at least I’m ahead of it.

I want to finish by saying that – though while my new job isn’t the perfect role by any means, it is more suited to me currently in my career and life. Moving on taught me it’s okay to move on, that it’s not disloyalty to put yourself first.
But what about you, reader? Do you have growing discontent with your work situation? Feeling underwhelmed, overlooked or unfulfilled? Need more money? Well, I recommend making a change. Even a lateral move to a different company on average nets you a higher salary than if you stay put.