I Quit My Job 6 Months Ago — Here’s What I’m Learning

Six months ago, I walked away from a stable career.
For the first ten days, I was able to truly rest.

On about day eleven, the panic hit:
You need to be doing something.

That’s when I realized just how deeply I’d tied my worth to productivity. And it’s not just me, most of us carry that programming. It is hardwired into our culture.

You don’t have to quit your job to feel it.
It shows up in careers, families, and personal goals--anywhere we’ve been taught that constant motion equals value.

Lesson 1: Your Worth Is Not Your Output

We live in a culture that makes it almost impossible to separate identity from productivity.

If we’re not achieving, we feel like we’re falling behind. But rest is not regression, it’s regeneration.

I’ve been practicing something counterintuitive: taking moments in the day to do nothing, and letting that be okay. No phone. No “productive” reading. Just stillness.

Lesson 2: Trust Life’s Rhythm

The second big shift has been learning to embrace expansion and contraction as natural cycles.

Nature expands and contracts. So do markets. So do we.
When you’re in a slower season, it’s not a sign of failure -- it’s a chance to refuel for the next wave.

It sounds simple, but it’s uncomfortable. The instinct to force the next expansion is strong. But forcing too early often means you repeat old patterns instead of creating something new.

Lesson 3: Listen to the Body

Your mind will tell you stories about why you need to move faster. Your body will tell you the truth about what you need.

Sometimes it says: Step up.
Sometimes it says: Rest now, so you can step up later.

The body is the first feedback loop. If we ignore it, we burn out -- even if we’re doing “meaningful” work.

Lesson 4: Balance Making It Happen with Letting It Happen

There’s a tension I’ve been learning to hold: the drive to make things happen versus the patience to let things emerge.

Leadership is not always about pushing. Sometimes the best move is to create the conditions and then step back.

When I’ve been clear and intentional -- and patient enough to wait -- opportunities have shown up that I couldn’t have planned for.

Lesson 5: Fear Fades in the Doing

Quitting my job was scary. But the scariest part was imagining it.

Once I crossed the line, most of the fear dissolved. That’s been a reminder: so many things we avoid are less terrifying on the other side.

Why This Matters for All of Us

Whether you’re leading a company, a team, a family, or simply yourself, slowing down isn’t a luxury -- it’s a leadership discipline.

The more you can unhook your worth from constant doing, the more space you create for clarity, creativity, and wise action.

You don’t have to quit your job to start this work. You can begin by:

• Taking time each day for stillness.

• Listening to your body’s cues.

• Practicing trust in life’s natural rhythm.

Over time, those small shifts change not just how you lead -- but how you live.

P.S. Over the past few months, I’ve started working with a few people to help them envision and take steps toward creating the work they love, work that’s aligned with who they are and the life they want to live.

If you’ve been feeling a pull from your heart or soul to go in a different direction, we can explore whether it might be a good fit to work together. Just hit reply or send me a note, I’d love to connect.