Hi Mika, always intrigued to learn other people's stories. Left mine only a few months ago for similar reasons. No income stream as of yet but I'm feeling excited about what I'm doing. Sounds like your are enthusiastic about your choice too. Think that's all that matters.
Wow, this is so courageous of you, following that call. And so glad to hear you were able to be there for your mom. I too am a freelancer and had to suddenly fly to another to be with my sick father. Those moments you'd certainly never get back. Looking forward to reading more of your journey!
So so so scary. I tend to be very safe and comfortable, so this was a huge change. I’m getting to see my mum a lot more and we have had some really deep conversations because of it. Very healing. ✨
Wow. The _timing_. Unbelievable, unless we believe in our intuition and follow it. I love this, "I knew that I needed to leave my job BEFORE I knew what the next step was.
I was ABSOLUTELY terrified!" Inspiring to leap with faith. I found you on Sarah Fay's Friday thread for notes cohort and I'm so glad I did! Following you and restacking!
Hi Mika, you're courageous to embrace uncertainty! I've been in this position before and I can assure you that your muscle for handling this kind of uncertainty in life will get stronger the more you exercise them. I'm sorry about your mom's diagnosis but it's wonderful you got to care for her and hope she's been recovering well.
Thank you for those encouraging words Louisa. I love the idea of the muscle getting stronger. Reminds me of the quote, “life begins at the end the comfort zone”.
Hello Mika. I am glad your mom had that blood test so she could get going on treatment. She is taking online classes in her 70s?! Fantastic! Which classes and how is she doing now? We are rooting for you Mom! :)
Thank you so much Mmerikani! She’s doing so well. Finally enjoying the taste of food again after chemo. She is doing art history. She just handed in another assignment before another surgery. She’s unstoppable. Plus she gets great grades! 🤯💕
This requires a lot of guts Mika! I’ve been taking some smaller leaps, always calculated risks and they always worked out in my favour.
Leaving high-paid banking job for consultancy, then switching to self-employed consultant (as a contractor) and now I have ended the contract with my in between party (-I didn’t feel appreciated and treated fairly).
With every step I feel as a stronger independent female 👊🏻
It was very very scary. It’s coming up to a year since I left and I try not to think about where I should be or could be. I know in my heart of hearts that I made the right decision.
What a leap! I'm so glad you were able to be there for your mom during such a scary time and I hope things are continuing to look up for you and her!
I can't wait to hear and see what's to come, because it (in my mind) wouldn't logically make sense to leave a place you love! But our intuitions rarely make logical sense and we eventually realize it's for the best!
I am kind of waiting too! But perhaps I’m waiting for something that the world would find “worthy” or “worthwhile”. Maybe the shift and change has already been happening and I don’t even know it. 🤔
Ohhh, Mika, this hits! I decided to part ways with my job Aug 2023 without a plan. Because I've always had a plan for nearly everything, I'm calling it a sabbatical to pump fake on the nay-sayers. It was so freeing to have a word to hold space for this pause to just breathe for a bit (and travel!). Thank you for sharing and big love to your mom.
Yes, (depending how well I know the person) I share that taking my time traveling, freelancing, exploring creative writing, learning languages or whatever I'm interested in. And I say it with my whole chest! I've been surprised by the responses from elders who tell me they wished they had taken a sabbatical back in the day.
Don't get me wrong, it is one of the scariest things I've done but like you, I felt compelled to take that leap.
Thanks for your response. And yes to answering it with a “whole chest”.
When I quit my job, I had a choice. Lie and said I was working on my husband’s business or tell the truth and say “I don’t know why, I’m just feel it’s the right time, and I don’t know what’s next”.
I chose the latter because I didn’t want to start this next expansive journey being afraid of what people think or justifying a decision that came from listening to my intuition. I wanted to honour it with truth.
Work..I began telling people that when...I was doing my she she'd project and it was constant interruptions! And point of contention when I tried to explain... leading to some unfortunate disagreements and misunderstandings. As my favorite author Jeff Brown says, boundaries don't leave home with out em".
Writing about my journey has been so helpful to make sense of this crazy new normal I’m in and it’s such a lovely cherry on top to meet other creatives in this space! 🍒
Meeting creatives here has definitely been the highlight for me! I've been active for just under three weeks and I can't get over it. It's wild to find an online space that recharges instead of draining!
Your cover image here is so on point ❤️ leaving a day job for any venture feels truly like stepping out on a ledge. I'm so sorry about your momma - thoughts and prayers with you!
I know that feeling of quitting a job, I have done it many times. Even if some quitting were done with a cold feel, I knew I was doing what was right for me.
Congratulations on taking the leap and handling with care, and kindness to yourself and others the leaving. Especially if you enjoy the company and people. It is a step to grow and reach your ideal life. Every time you dare enough to live on your terms you gain momentum and your confidence muscle gets stronger. I am sure many new unexpected doors will rise and confirm to you, it was the right and mindful decision to take.
I hope your mom feels better and that the next season of healing will uplift you even more. Life is always teaching us in bliss, pain, deserts, sun and fog...
Thank you for sharing this - there is so much to gain from trusting ourselves. I must admit I dream of quitting my job! Sending love to you and your Mum too
I wish I had a magic ball that could see into the future! But then, we then we can’t exercise faith and leaning into trusting ourselves, like you said.
Adventure - is not knowing the outcome. And it is where the magic happens, in my experience. Once I started leaping, I’ve been finding it hard to stop 😝.
Thanks for sharing your daring. So wonderful to be with your mum it sounds ❤️
Hi Mika, always intrigued to learn other people's stories. Left mine only a few months ago for similar reasons. No income stream as of yet but I'm feeling excited about what I'm doing. Sounds like your are enthusiastic about your choice too. Think that's all that matters.
Thanks for your comment Niall. I’m looking forward to reading about your next chapter. It can be unsettling at times, but I have no regrets!
Thanks, Mika. Looking forward to connecting as the week's progress. It's cool to connect with someone else on a similar path.
Hi Mika, a new subscriber here as I'm still terrified to make the leap. But I enjoy your writing and your honest personal journey.
Keep going and I hope life shows its beauty throughout your daily life.
Welcome Sekar! Thank you so much for subscribing and your lovely words of support. ✨
Wow, this is so courageous of you, following that call. And so glad to hear you were able to be there for your mom. I too am a freelancer and had to suddenly fly to another to be with my sick father. Those moments you'd certainly never get back. Looking forward to reading more of your journey!
So so so scary. I tend to be very safe and comfortable, so this was a huge change. I’m getting to see my mum a lot more and we have had some really deep conversations because of it. Very healing. ✨
Wow. The _timing_. Unbelievable, unless we believe in our intuition and follow it. I love this, "I knew that I needed to leave my job BEFORE I knew what the next step was.
I was ABSOLUTELY terrified!" Inspiring to leap with faith. I found you on Sarah Fay's Friday thread for notes cohort and I'm so glad I did! Following you and restacking!
Thank you for your lovely comment! Im so glad to find like-minded people!!
Hi Mika, you're courageous to embrace uncertainty! I've been in this position before and I can assure you that your muscle for handling this kind of uncertainty in life will get stronger the more you exercise them. I'm sorry about your mom's diagnosis but it's wonderful you got to care for her and hope she's been recovering well.
Thank you for those encouraging words Louisa. I love the idea of the muscle getting stronger. Reminds me of the quote, “life begins at the end the comfort zone”.
加油!
LOVE this, Mika! Don't look back. Carpe diem, baby!
Thank you for the encouragement Teri!!
I'm close on your heels!
We’ve got this!!!
Yessss!
Hello Mika. I am glad your mom had that blood test so she could get going on treatment. She is taking online classes in her 70s?! Fantastic! Which classes and how is she doing now? We are rooting for you Mom! :)
Thank you so much Mmerikani! She’s doing so well. Finally enjoying the taste of food again after chemo. She is doing art history. She just handed in another assignment before another surgery. She’s unstoppable. Plus she gets great grades! 🤯💕
Oh I like that idea of taking art classes. Tucking that one away for me one day! :)
This requires a lot of guts Mika! I’ve been taking some smaller leaps, always calculated risks and they always worked out in my favour.
Leaving high-paid banking job for consultancy, then switching to self-employed consultant (as a contractor) and now I have ended the contract with my in between party (-I didn’t feel appreciated and treated fairly).
With every step I feel as a stronger independent female 👊🏻
It was very very scary. It’s coming up to a year since I left and I try not to think about where I should be or could be. I know in my heart of hearts that I made the right decision.
What a leap! I'm so glad you were able to be there for your mom during such a scary time and I hope things are continuing to look up for you and her!
I can't wait to hear and see what's to come, because it (in my mind) wouldn't logically make sense to leave a place you love! But our intuitions rarely make logical sense and we eventually realize it's for the best!
I am kind of waiting too! But perhaps I’m waiting for something that the world would find “worthy” or “worthwhile”. Maybe the shift and change has already been happening and I don’t even know it. 🤔
Oooh, that could be the case! The possibilties (and opportunities) can be endless when we open our mind to them.
Brave actions; may you have continued strength while caring for your mother; and hoping creative opportunities continue! Joy on the journey.
Thank you so much. I’m so grateful that I have this time to fly and see her regularly and be there for operations etc. Such a blessing!
I hope that through having fun, I will be able to explore areas that I haven’t allowed time for before.
Thank you for your comment!
Ohhh, Mika, this hits! I decided to part ways with my job Aug 2023 without a plan. Because I've always had a plan for nearly everything, I'm calling it a sabbatical to pump fake on the nay-sayers. It was so freeing to have a word to hold space for this pause to just breathe for a bit (and travel!). Thank you for sharing and big love to your mom.
Yay!!! So glad to meet someone else on this journey 🥰🥰🥰.
Love the idea of calling it a sabbatical.
I went to a funeral yesterday and met with a lot of old friends. Of course you get the typical “what are you up to”
I didn’t have an answer prepped! Do you have an answer?
Yes, (depending how well I know the person) I share that taking my time traveling, freelancing, exploring creative writing, learning languages or whatever I'm interested in. And I say it with my whole chest! I've been surprised by the responses from elders who tell me they wished they had taken a sabbatical back in the day.
Don't get me wrong, it is one of the scariest things I've done but like you, I felt compelled to take that leap.
I'm proud of you, Mika!
Thanks for your response. And yes to answering it with a “whole chest”.
When I quit my job, I had a choice. Lie and said I was working on my husband’s business or tell the truth and say “I don’t know why, I’m just feel it’s the right time, and I don’t know what’s next”.
I chose the latter because I didn’t want to start this next expansive journey being afraid of what people think or justifying a decision that came from listening to my intuition. I wanted to honour it with truth.
Thanks for the reminder to keep going!
Work..I began telling people that when...I was doing my she she'd project and it was constant interruptions! And point of contention when I tried to explain... leading to some unfortunate disagreements and misunderstandings. As my favorite author Jeff Brown says, boundaries don't leave home with out em".
Hi Mika, thanks for sharing your exciting leap! Glad to know your mom is doing well. New subscriber - looking forward to following along :)
Thank you so much for subscribing Stephanie! 🙏🏻
Writing about my journey has been so helpful to make sense of this crazy new normal I’m in and it’s such a lovely cherry on top to meet other creatives in this space! 🍒
Meeting creatives here has definitely been the highlight for me! I've been active for just under three weeks and I can't get over it. It's wild to find an online space that recharges instead of draining!
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
Your cover image here is so on point ❤️ leaving a day job for any venture feels truly like stepping out on a ledge. I'm so sorry about your momma - thoughts and prayers with you!
Thank you 🙏🏻.
The image is what I truly felt like.
I was talking to a friend and she said the next step often doesn’t appear until we step out. ✨
I know that feeling of quitting a job, I have done it many times. Even if some quitting were done with a cold feel, I knew I was doing what was right for me.
Congratulations on taking the leap and handling with care, and kindness to yourself and others the leaving. Especially if you enjoy the company and people. It is a step to grow and reach your ideal life. Every time you dare enough to live on your terms you gain momentum and your confidence muscle gets stronger. I am sure many new unexpected doors will rise and confirm to you, it was the right and mindful decision to take.
I hope your mom feels better and that the next season of healing will uplift you even more. Life is always teaching us in bliss, pain, deserts, sun and fog...
Thank you Keva! Your words warmed my heart. I know I will refer back to them when I feel like I'm on unsteady ground. xx
You are welcome! Feel fre to reach out if you need extra support. Creative peer to peer support is key on this journey to SELF.
Thank you for sharing this - there is so much to gain from trusting ourselves. I must admit I dream of quitting my job! Sending love to you and your Mum too
I wish I had a magic ball that could see into the future! But then, we then we can’t exercise faith and leaning into trusting ourselves, like you said.
Adventure - is not knowing the outcome. And it is where the magic happens, in my experience. Once I started leaping, I’ve been finding it hard to stop 😝.
Thanks for sharing your daring. So wonderful to be with your mum it sounds ❤️
I’m not much of a leaper, so this is definitely new for me! 🧗♀️