i quit my job and could not be happier about it.

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I’d like to share something exciting with you all. I did something I wasn’t “supposed” to do. 👀

I quit my job!

And I could not be more proud of myself.

I say it was something I wasn’t “supposed” to do because young people in their twenties are often told to consider how their actions look to others, suck it up, and muddle through until they’ve forgotten or gotten over their original concerns. The truth is, that’s BS and I refuse to live that way.

Well, maybe it’s not entirely BS. Context certainly plays a major a role in making big decisions like this. I’m not saying to quit your job the moment things get hard and aren’t panning out how you’d hoped. Definitely try and figure that out before pursuing any drastic measures (check out the list of resources at the bottom of this post for help on navigating that!).

I am saying, though, that if you’ve truly given it your all and have soaked up every opportunity you could from the role, no longer feel like there’s more to learn (or that you’re not being offered or, worse, are being refused the chance to learn it), or feel unappreciated and disregarded, maybe it is time to make an exit plan.

Your age should not be the deciding factor deterring you from making moves.

I don’t want to hear, “Ah! I’m only 22, I don’t have the authority to ask for a promotion,” “My supervisor knows I’m 23, there’s no way she’d let me lead on this project,” or “I'm 21, who am I to say it’s time to quit? Won’t other jobs see me as flighty?” Just, stop. Your mind is all over the place, ground yourself to invite clarity.

Make an appointment to have an executive meeting with yourself and hash it out:

  1. What’s your concern? Be as clear and detailed as possible.

  2. What’s your long-term outlook? If this concern isn’t addressed, what’s at risk? Are your long-term goals likely to be derailed?

  3. What are three (no more than five) potential solves for your concern? List in order of intensity.

  4. What would you need to prepare to guarantee a positive outcome for each of these potential solves? Is the amount/type of preparation feasible/realistic? Will it hurt more than it helps?

  5. Are each of these potential solves aligned with your present and long-term goals? Are they aligned with your values? Is there opporutunity for you to thrive in the aftermath of each of them (emotionally speaking)?

Finally, sit on it for a day or two. Confer with trusted mentors. Don’t tell your parents or friends until you’ve reached a decision, then, if you’d like, ask for their feedback, not their opinions. (Note: the friends and family that genuinely root for you and whose opinions really do matter to you should be reached out to before asking for the minor characters’ feedback.)

Ultimately, you have to choose YOU. You have to choose what’s right for you without overly concerning yourself with others’ thoughts and agendas.

Quitting my first “big girl job” after over a year with the company is what me choosing me in this current cycle of my life looks like. I prepared for this, sought counsel about this, and ultimately made the leap. I could not be more proud of or happy for myself.

I want the same for you; however that may look.

Resources:

  • Jennifer Brick’s YouTube channel dives deep into helping viewers figure out how to intentionally navigate their professional careers and the tricky situations that are bound to come up.

  • Resist Average with Tommy Baker is a phenomenal podcast that really helps put things into perspective. Tommy’s insightful and informative approach to unapologetic ambition has blown my mind more than once and instigated a few life changes for me.

  • Nana Agyemang’s EveryStylishGirlBiz Instagram account is my main hang out spot on the app. Filled with posts by and for ambitious Black women, it’s not uncommon for them to offer some tried and true career advice.