I have a permanent, well-paying job. Last week, I handed in my two weeks’ notice. I resigned.
You may be thinking, WHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYY??? Inflation is going up; cost of living is going up. Why?
The answer is going to be long. Be prepared to read … and read.
Background context
At the moment, I am so tired and busy that I’m not truly enjoying this season of life—there are lots of enjoyable aspects of my life, but I want more time with my kids (in particular my two-year-old), more time to do volunteer work, more time to be present in the moment, more time with friends, and especially more time with my husband. More time to think, or fewer things to think about.
The young kid stage flies by so fast, and I don’t want to miss it. I really want to enjoy these precious years before my youngest starts school.
At the start of this year, I began this blog, Finding My Simple Life, to find simple living and financial freedom. Amusingly, quitting my job doesn’t really match with the second part of what I am trying to accomplish financially. However, I am not planning to be solely a stay-at-home mum (SAHM); I am planning on a little business—perhaps consulting work or writing. I really love microphones.
At this point in my journey, simple living means (for me) having a peaceful, clean, affordable, unhurried, and joyful day—every day.
The Plan
Over a year ago, my husband and I started living on one wage—his wage, to be precise. We saved my wage and:
- Paid off the things that we needed to pay off.
- I’m working through my No Buy Year.
- Created an emergency savings account.
- Sold an investment.
- Reached our ‘right number’ for me to quit work.
This decision didn’t happen overnight. There was a lot of thought, prayer, and careful budget planning that went into it. We’ve been living on one wage for quite a while, so we knew it was workable.
The Decision
Up until September, I was on the fence about whether to take the leap. Obviously, it is a major decision from a financial point (thankfully, we are able to live on one wage). There was some fear—fear of being judged for my choice, fear of missing out (FOMO) on career progression and goal-setting, and, I’ll admit, I love wearing corporate outfits! But when I did up my list of priorities, there were a few very important points that sat in front of ‘work’. Quality time with my family (especially my 2 year old) was above work in the order of my priorities.
Musings
In the book The Psychology of Money, there’s a quote: “Use money to gain control of your time, because not having control over your time is such a powerful and universal drag on happiness. The ability to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, for as long as you want, pays the highest dividend that exists in finance.”
I have mulled over this quote since I read it in May this year. It’s really thought-provoking.
I feel incredibly grateful to be able to be able to do this – to take the time off. I know it is not an option for a lot of people. However, to be honest, I think I would have preferred to have transitioned to more part-time work, instead of going straight to no work, but it is done now.
So, there you have it. I feel at peace with my decision, plus a bit nervous—and a tad excited.
Disclaimer:
This blog reflects my personal journey and decisions that suit my family’s unique circumstances. Please don’t read this blog post as advice! Financial choices like quitting a job or pursuing alternative income sources should be carefully considered based on your own situation, including discussions with financial professionals, if needed.