Should I Feel Bad For Quitting My Job? No!
Should I feel bad for quitting my job? Here is my personal experience with quitting jobs. I had been working for less than a year when I was laid off. I’m not sure if that’s an indication of how big my company is or whether it’s just because they’re growing so fast and have a lot of people to lay off. But the honeymoon was over, and there were already signs that things might be changing.
I spent five years at an organization where the perks were amazing, but I wasn’t satisfied. And I couldn’t stay there solely because of the benefits.
I’d already made my final decision: as soon as I was offered a new opportunity, I was quitting. But should I feel bad for quitting my job? At the moment, I felt terrible. Guilty, to be honest with you, and severely guilty. I was a total newbie at the time. My manager, on the other hand, was an outstanding, nice, and patient person who made it clear that I mattered to him and that he valued me.
However, the fact was that unless he created a new role for me – one that didn’t even exist at the company yet – there was nothing he could do to make my job more desirable. The bottom line is that it was an unsuitable fit and I had to leave.
Andrew and I had a great professional relationship, but because he had a great deal of respect for me(Even if I were an entry-level minion, as some of my coworkers made me feel, I still wanted to be on the receiving end of a promotion.), I felt awful about resuming my job search.
“Should I feel bad for quitting my job, Will it affect my work relationship?” a lot of questions kept flooding my thoughts. I was also petrified of hurting his feelings. Furthermore, I understood he had a lot on his plate. If I left, more work would pile onto his already overloaded dish.
This was not the only source of guilt I had, though. Society had instilled in me that you choose a career and stick to it for life. While I recognized this isn’t always the case any longer, I couldn’t help but wonder how I could leave after just seven months. This firm had invested in me, took a risk on me!
For weeks, I was plagued by guilt that I spoke to everyone I knew about it (sorry, guys). On a daily basis, while walking from the metro station to my home, I called my grandmother. I was looking for an answer to should I feel bad for quitting my job or anything in particular which would ease the load on my shoulders.
When the discussion turned to work, I described my present state of mind. She then stated to me, “Now don’t take this the wrong way, but your company was just fine before you and will be just fine after you are gone.”
The Final Verdict: Should I Feel Bad For Quitting My Job
Wait a moment—was my grandma just implying that I was unimportant? Essentially, yes. She wasn’t being unpleasant when she said it, though. She was conveying the truth. The harsh reality: I was not irreplaceable to my company. This gave me clarity on should I feel bad for quitting my job.
I’m not trying to convey that those I worked for didn’t care about me. That would be a bald-faced lie. What I’m attempting to say is that I was not essential to the company’s success. Yes, despite the fact that I had no idea what healthcare and IT jargon meant (read: 95 percent of the time).
But there were plenty of other people who could also do it well. Furthermore, there may have been others who could do it considerably better. My firm would be just as happy with any of those individuals, and they’d take over my responsibilities until then.
Again, I understand—it’s no fun to figure out that your employer isn’t into you (rejection is difficult). Your boss most likely doesn’t want you to leave, but it won’t be the end of the world if you do.
Not only that, but if he had to fire you for the “greater good of the company,” he’d probably do it before quitting out of protest. It’s not personal; it’s how things are done in the world.
“If your employer were expected to make budget cuts or staff reductions, and your job was on the list, would you think they’d spend hours wringing their hands with guilt before informing you of the layoff?” asks Jenny Foss, President of Ladder Recruiting Group LLC and Muse Master Coach. “Probably not.
“Yes, they may feel bad on a personal level. After all, we’re all human. However, they’d soon realize that this is a business and that difficult decisions sometimes have to be made in the workplace.” Considering that, should I feel bad for quitting my job? Definitely not!
There’s something else I’ve been meaning to mention since we started talking about your business: You know what? That lane goes in both directions. This is your life, so take control of it. Difficult decisions may occasionally have to be made in your life.
When my grandmother told me this, something inside of me clicked. I can’t claim to have been completely guilt-free after that (stealing around and looking for work is always going to feel somewhat illegal to me), but a huge weight was removed from my shoulders.
Maybe it was because I wasn’t asking for advice—I didn’t say, “What do you think I should do?” “Should I feel bad for quitting my job” or “Is it OK for me to look for a new job?” She just spoke her mind and stated what she thought without being prompted.
But mostly, I believe it’s because her words reminded me of what matters most to me—my unshakable support system. It’s the people and family I know will be there for me no matter the weather.
I know in my heart that my grandmother will love me forever. Hands down. Nothing I do in terms of my career can alter that.
In a certain way, this information brought me back down to earth. It reminded me that my profession is not the most essential thing in my life. Nor is the firm I work for. As a result, I shouldn’t be so disturbed by something that isn’t part of my foundation.
Finally
Lastly, should I feel bad for quitting my job? Quitting was something that no matter what I would just despise. In the end, I had to do what was best for me. And so I departed as soon as possible. If you decide to leave your business, that is certainly your prerogative.
Do you think it’s time for everyone to move on after seven months in a job? Probably not, but if you’ve decided it’s definitely time for you to leave, go ahead. Don’t let embarrassment prevent you from doing what you have to do. Simply make sure you quit with elegance.
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