When “good enough” isn’t enough
Why on earth would you quit a stable, demanding, "good" job?
Many people quit their jobs. But I think my case is a little different.
You see… I didn’t hate it.
On the contrary. I loved it.
Remote. Kind, international team. Supportive co-founders.
Fast-paced, but respectful. English-speaking.
(I don’t enjoy working in German — we can unpack that in another issue :D)
I had ownership. I was trusted. I felt supported.
A stable salary, landing in my account like clockwork.
What’s not to love? And still — I quit. Why would I do that?
The thing is... It was comfortable.
There it is. The word:
Comfortable.
Do I want a comfortable life? Absolutely.
But do I also want to live up to my potential? Definitely.
“Self-Knowledge” by The School of Life - a book I highly recommend if you want to reflect on your life.
And when I really sat with it — which one mattered more?
Growth.
Once I saw that clearly, I had a decision to make.
launch/anyway is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider subscribing.
After a full workday, I’d feel not drained, not stressed, but… confused.
Why isn’t this enough?
It took me a while to realise what that feeling was:
I’m doing good work.
I’m proving my worth.
But it’s not my work.
What kept me from dropping everything were the doubts.
So many doubts. So much fear.
Am I being ungrateful?
Am I chasing something better that doesn’t exist?
People say the grass is always greener.
So, what if I’m wrong? What if I fail?
Also — I felt guilty.
Yes, some people quit their jobs.
But I’d say, in this economy, it’s the minority.
Most leave because they have to.
Layoffs. Restructuring. Burnout. Drama.
But I’d be leaving something pretty good. On purpose.
While everyone around me seems to be doing the opposite.
It felt strange.
Me — the rule follower, the play-it-safe person – choosing to go off script.
I’ve been thinking about how we’re taught to optimise for stability.
Have a plan. Stick to it. Reap the rewards.
Don’t take risks. Be grateful. Follow the path.
But is a life worth living if you don’t follow your gut?
(If you’re lucky enough to have that choice)
So, I quit.
Not with a perfect plan.
Not with total certainty.
Just with a quiet knowing that this was the next right step.
Because staying — even in a job I like — would’ve meant ignoring something bigger.
And honestly, it would’ve been kind of stupid not to bet on myself just because it’s comfortable.
YOLO? Or, I guess some say:
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
“Leap and the net will appear”
“Quit your job and start your silly weekly reflections on Substack” — ok that one might just be me :’D
Until next time,
Maria
Many people quit their jobs. But I think my case is a little different.
You see… I didn’t hate it.
On the contrary. I loved it.
Remote. Kind, international team. Supportive co-founders.
Fast-paced, but respectful. English-speaking.
(I don’t enjoy working in German — we can unpack that in another issue :D)
I had ownership. I was trusted. I felt supported.
A stable salary, landing in my account like clockwork.
What’s not to love? And still — I quit. Why would I do that?
The thing is... It was comfortable.
There it is. The word:
Comfortable.
Do I want a comfortable life? Absolutely.
But do I also want to live up to my potential? Definitely.
“Self-Knowledge” by The School of Life - a book I highly recommend if you want to reflect on your life.
And when I really sat with it — which one mattered more?
Growth.
Once I saw that clearly, I had a decision to make.
launch/anyway is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider subscribing.
After a full workday, I’d feel not drained, not stressed, but… confused.
Why isn’t this enough?
It took me a while to realise what that feeling was:
I’m doing good work.
I’m proving my worth.
But it’s not my work.
What kept me from dropping everything were the doubts.
So many doubts. So much fear.
Am I being ungrateful?
Am I chasing something better that doesn’t exist?
People say the grass is always greener.
So, what if I’m wrong? What if I fail?
Also — I felt guilty.
Yes, some people quit their jobs.
But I’d say, in this economy, it’s the minority.
Most leave because they have to.
Layoffs. Restructuring. Burnout. Drama.
But I’d be leaving something pretty good. On purpose.
While everyone around me seems to be doing the opposite.
It felt strange.
Me — the rule follower, the play-it-safe person – choosing to go off script.
I’ve been thinking about how we’re taught to optimise for stability.
Have a plan. Stick to it. Reap the rewards.
Don’t take risks. Be grateful. Follow the path.
But is a life worth living if you don’t follow your gut?
(If you’re lucky enough to have that choice)
So, I quit.
Not with a perfect plan.
Not with total certainty.
Just with a quiet knowing that this was the next right step.
Because staying — even in a job I like — would’ve meant ignoring something bigger.
And honestly, it would’ve been kind of stupid not to bet on myself just because it’s comfortable.
YOLO? Or, I guess some say:
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
“Leap and the net will appear”
“Quit your job and start your silly weekly reflections on Substack” — ok that one might just be me :’D
Until next time,
Maria
Many people quit their jobs. But I think my case is a little different.
You see… I didn’t hate it.
On the contrary. I loved it.
Remote. Kind, international team. Supportive co-founders.
Fast-paced, but respectful. English-speaking.
(I don’t enjoy working in German — we can unpack that in another issue :D)
I had ownership. I was trusted. I felt supported.
A stable salary, landing in my account like clockwork.
What’s not to love? And still — I quit. Why would I do that?
The thing is... It was comfortable.
There it is. The word:
Comfortable.
Do I want a comfortable life? Absolutely.
But do I also want to live up to my potential? Definitely.
“Self-Knowledge” by The School of Life - a book I highly recommend if you want to reflect on your life.
And when I really sat with it — which one mattered more?
Growth.
Once I saw that clearly, I had a decision to make.
launch/anyway is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider subscribing.
After a full workday, I’d feel not drained, not stressed, but… confused.
Why isn’t this enough?
It took me a while to realise what that feeling was:
I’m doing good work.
I’m proving my worth.
But it’s not my work.
What kept me from dropping everything were the doubts.
So many doubts. So much fear.
Am I being ungrateful?
Am I chasing something better that doesn’t exist?
People say the grass is always greener.
So, what if I’m wrong? What if I fail?
Also — I felt guilty.
Yes, some people quit their jobs.
But I’d say, in this economy, it’s the minority.
Most leave because they have to.
Layoffs. Restructuring. Burnout. Drama.
But I’d be leaving something pretty good. On purpose.
While everyone around me seems to be doing the opposite.
It felt strange.
Me — the rule follower, the play-it-safe person – choosing to go off script.
I’ve been thinking about how we’re taught to optimise for stability.
Have a plan. Stick to it. Reap the rewards.
Don’t take risks. Be grateful. Follow the path.
But is a life worth living if you don’t follow your gut?
(If you’re lucky enough to have that choice)
So, I quit.
Not with a perfect plan.
Not with total certainty.
Just with a quiet knowing that this was the next right step.
Because staying — even in a job I like — would’ve meant ignoring something bigger.
And honestly, it would’ve been kind of stupid not to bet on myself just because it’s comfortable.
YOLO? Or, I guess some say:
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
“Leap and the net will appear”
“Quit your job and start your silly weekly reflections on Substack” — ok that one might just be me :’D
Until next time,
Maria
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