How I knew it was time to quit my job to focus mental health.

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal journey of quitting a corporate attorney job to focus on mental health. They emphasize that it wasn't a sudden decision but a six-month process involving self-reflection, therapy, and attempts to improve job satisfaction. The speaker highlights the importance of considering whether your current path is sustainable and encourages viewers to prioritize mental health, even if it means making significant life changes.

Takeaways

• 🚪 Quitting a job is a significant decision affecting one's career path and mental health.
• 💡 Taking a leave of absence or making a life change should be considered seriously for mental well-being.
• 🔍 There isn't always a single 'aha' moment to quit a job; it can be a gradual process of realization.
• 🌱 The realization of needing a change often comes from a lack of excitement about the future.
• 😔 The pandemic has been particularly detrimental to mental health, blurring the lines between work and home life.
• 🌼 Prioritizing mental health can lead to the acceptance of a need for change, such as quitting a job.
• 📈 The process of improving mental health can be slow and non-linear, with ups and downs.
• 🏋️‍♂️ It's important to try different strategies, like part-time work or therapy, to see if a job can become more bearable.
• 🤔 Reflecting on the sustainability of one's current path is crucial in deciding whether to make a change.
• 💼 Quitting a job to focus on mental health is a privilege not accessible to everyone due to financial constraints.
• 🌟 Self-judgment can be a barrier to taking time off for mental health; it's essential to challenge these internal expectations.

Q & A

What was the main reason the speaker decided to quit their job?

The speaker decided to quit their job to focus on their mental health, as they were feeling miserable and lost, and the job was sapping them of energy.

How long did the process of deciding to quit take for the speaker?

The process of deciding to quit took the speaker six months, involving a period of ideation, considering other job opportunities, and seeing a therapist.

What was the speaker's profession before quitting?

The speaker was a corporate attorney.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the future while still in their job?

The speaker felt they were not looking forward to the future and were merely existing without excitement.

How did the pandemic affect the speaker's mental health?

The pandemic led to the speaker becoming completely miserable at their job, experiencing a decline in their mental health due to the blending of home and work life.

What was the speaker's approach to improving their mental health?

The speaker's approach included seeing a therapist, journaling, deep breathing exercises, and eventually considering quitting their job.

What was the speaker's diagnosis after seeking help for their mental health?

The speaker was diagnosed with mild depression and severe anxiety.

What steps did the speaker take to try and make their job work before quitting?

The speaker went part-time at their law firm, prioritized mental health, set stricter boundaries with work, and explored other job opportunities.

How did the speaker feel after deciding to quit their job?

After deciding to quit, the speaker felt that the entire world got a lot brighter, indicating a significant improvement in their outlook on life.

What advice does the speaker give to those who cannot quit their job to focus on mental health?

The speaker advises those who cannot quit their job to challenge themselves to work on mental health while in their current job, leveraging employer resources, and thinking creatively about ways to improve mental health.

What is the speaker's perspective on the journey of mental health improvement?

The speaker emphasizes that the journey to mental health improvement is not always straight and can have ups and downs, but it's important to stay focused and keep practicing the tools at one's disposal.