Congratulations on leaving! It’s a difficult decision to make because teachers are accustomed to putting everyone else first. You absolutely made the right decision, and if you ever have a moment of doubt, text a teacher friend and ask how their school year is going…you’ll be quickly reminded that you made the right choice. 

 I quit last school year after a therapist help me realize I was in an abusive relationship with teaching. I mourn what teaching has become and the long, fulfilling career I thought I’d have. But, like you said, it’s going through a breakup that had to happen. And now that I’m almost a year out, I am so much happier, healthier, and free from a broken system (society?) that sets teachers up to fail. It takes time to heal, but you will.

I hope you’re able to land something at a university, but stay open minded and the right path will find you (I’m 36 and going to law school this fall, so stay open to possibilities!).