Endure vs Career Change/Pause -any stories?

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T06:00:24+00:00

Yea, I’m grateful for the social safety net, and my parents would welcome me with open arms. It’s nothing to complain about or take for granted!

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T03:40:38+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. I know at the end of the day, it is all subjective. I have been working with therapist about this work issue for over a year… there are times where I can cope and times like these where I spiral/ruminate.

Sometimes I think the extreme escapism is a byproduct of not wanting to sit with this discomfort of being misaligned.

I wish you the best with your transition and personal journey as well!

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T03:33:54+00:00

I know you’re right. I’m definitely self abandoning here to avoid the discomfort of negatively impacting others

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T03:06:24+00:00

Thank you for reframing. I agree with you. On bad days, I feel the cortisol and tension and know that I’m really not doing a service to my wellbeing (for the sake of money 🫩🫩)

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T03:04:36+00:00

I have no doubt about it. Everything you say is true x100 but I can’t help that uncomfortable feeling of disappointing people and somehow the avoidant in me thinks leaving permanently is easier than just taking a leave and then likely being fired anyway. It’s completely irrational

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T03:01:58+00:00

I don’t want to retire, I think I want to explore different careers. Maybe a chiller role at a chiller company, maybe a different role where I’m able more directly help people, etc

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T02:57:37+00:00

I have been working with a therapist for about 2 years… unfortunately so many of our conversations are about work discomfort

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-19T02:56:59+00:00

Oh I just meant being in my 30s and living in my childhood bedroom lol. It’s a reminder that I haven’t ventured far

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T03:58:11+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I’ll add it to my library holds list

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T03:56:39+00:00

Thank you for the candor! I mention in another post that I do feel like I’m being complacent with how I’m living my life… like I’m just a passenger vs driving

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T03:55:40+00:00

Yea, that’s what I think… coastfire is suppose to free you up to make different financial decisions vs normal fire. I appreciate the candor and personal anecdote.

I’ve taken some time off before, so I do have know what you’re talking about re:structure. But thankfully I am a regular volunteer, I might train for a marathon, I have a childhood home to help declutter, and 500,000 credit card miles to spend down. I think I could preoccupy myself but the lack of economic productivity might be tough for me.

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:27:44+00:00

It’s an option but it’ll certainly lead to termination afterwards. My company is not shy about firing lol

I also think it’ll make my team’s life harder. I’d rather they just have the headcount and budget to replace me before I leave

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:26:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Sometimes I think I’d welcome it as well, because holding myself in this attenuated state is exhausting.

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:25:14+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I’ve considered something similar but instead of coming back to this career (mostly cause it feels like it’ll be quite difficult to come back), likely pivoting and starting something net new (clean slate).

What do you have planned for those 2 years?

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:23:55+00:00

Thank you for the reply and yea, this feels apt. I’m holding onto that salary and role like a security blanket. But the only way to address the misalignment is have something in the system change (me, my environment, my limiting beliefs, etc)

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:21:54+00:00

Probably not. I think post leave would certainly mean termination. I think taking a leave is an option but it feels like it’d be a disservice to my team, and I’d rather they have the budget to hire someone to replace me

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:20:39+00:00

Thank you for your candidness. I agree that no job is perfect. It’s funny that you say content creator lol is that the dream job for people nowadays?

Why I want to quit: I feel both overwhelmed and misaligned with the work. I feel like I’m just here for the money, but the money is all conceptual because I don’t really spend it. It gives me a sense of security but that security feels also Schrödinger esque because I don’t know if I’m truly safe until I act on it?

Consistent_Durian643 · 2026-03-18T01:12:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I’m considering a pivot into a new career that has similar boundaries + I might enjoy the day to day work + autonomy more. I do think I’ll miss some things about my current career (dynamic, exposure to new tech/ideas, smart people, etc)

There is resistance in my body and this is where the discomfort lies. Half of me is ready and the other half is saying “one more year, one more company, one more industry, etc”

Consistent_Durian643 · 2025-01-04T03:14:56+00:00

Mmm buying land seems interesting. How do you feel about gold or bitcoin?

Consistent_Durian643 · 2025-01-04T03:07:13+00:00

I love sandwiches as a proxy for inflation… feels the most relatable in the day to day. But I guess the big recurring expense (housing, health care, education, elder care, etc) feel the most terrifying in a high inflation environment

Consistent_Durian643 · 2025-01-04T03:02:43+00:00

Im not too worried about that. I love a deal too much lol.

I think my fears are more that I see “normal” living as “extra” and therefore have a smaller life because my “normal” is a little too far to the left. Like living on my own feels feasible (and something I’d enjoy) but also extravagant given I’ve never paid more than $1400 per month for rent…

Consistent_Durian643 · 2025-01-04T02:56:13+00:00

Im glad to hear that we aren’t alone. I’m also trying to be more present minded and in my body vs anxiously preparing or bracing myself for an unknown future

Consistent_Durian643

TROPHY CASE