3 Signs It Might Be Time To Quit Your Job And Pursue A Less Glamorous, But More Meaningful Life

This past week, I quit my job.

Yep. You read that right; my full-time, close-to-home, fully benefited, enjoyable, big girl job.

So why in the hell would I quit something so glamorous?

Well, when I started The Wellness Rookie a few years ago, I had NO idea what I wanted to do with it.

Of course I wanted to be in the health and wellness industry by health coaching, personal training, and helping others find their healthy and happy. But I wanted to transform TWR into something more meaningful, more sustainable, and more fulfilling for me.

I had always heard of these “entrepreneurs” making the big decision to finally take the leap into their own business and make it their full-time job, but no one really told you exactly how or when to do that. It was always a fantasy of mine, one that I never thought I could obtain.

Over the course of these past few years, I’ve had an array of jobs trying to figure everything out. From managing a steakhouse to working in sports marketing, I’ve been all over the board.

My most recent position was no different. It was, in reality, pretty great. I was in the event and wedding industry, I had an amazing group of coworkers, full benefits, paid time off, a parking pass, and it was extremely close to my apartment. I had it all.

…right?

Well, not exactly.

For the past year, I’ve been hustling with The Wellness Rookie. I’m now starting to put on more and more wellness-focused events, the #GIRLGETAFTERIT movement is really taking shape, I’ll be offering social media and blog consulting in the near future, I’m still health coaching, and I’ve got some exciting announcements to make in the very near future (stay tuned!)

My goal has always been to create a space where women feel welcome, where they come together, a space where they turn to for real and relatable information, and where they can discover what it truly means to be healthy.

And I couldn’t do that with a full-time job, no matter how great the job actually was.

One thing that I’ve learned in these past few years, especially after losing my dad, is that your time and what you give your energy to is invaluable.

When I was trying to juggle a full-time job on top of helping my mom with the restaurant, having a social life, health coaching, blogging, consulting, and everything else for TWR, my energy and my time were drained.

So two weeks ago, I had a conversation with a really great, new friend who offered me some much-needed advice. During our girl talk, an opportunity arrived that I couldn’t pass up (more on that later) and my decision was solidified.

The decision definitely wasn’t easy- leaving something so comfortable for something sooo not- but it was definitely the right choice for me.

Now, here I am. Fresh off a plane from a weekend of debauchery, friends, and family, ready to get after this wellness rookie thing I’ve been too nervous to fully embrace.

In honor of my new journey, I decided to write this post for those thinking about making that so-called “leap” everyone seems to be talking about. Here are three signs that it might be time to quit your job and pursue a less glamorous, but more meaningful life.

1.     You’re going (consistently) stir crazy

Going stir crazy is definitely a thing to take notice of when you’re doing it on a regular basis.

You may find yourself sitting at your desk not being able to focus and be fully present at your job. Your mind may be wandering to those emails you have to send, what pictures you need to post, or how you’re going to fit all of those coffee dates around all of your meetings. If you have your own side hustle on top of a full-time job, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

2.     It’s taking a toll on your well-being

When you have so much going on and so many things on your to do list, it can really affect different aspects of your health.

Now, I’m the type of person that likes to say, “yes” to everything and actually follow-through. This came at the sacrifice of my sleep and my digestion, a.k.a. a recipe for disaster. When you start to notice your health going downhill, it’s time to pay attention to what’s really going on in your daily life.

3.     Work doesn’t bring you joy, even when you’re killing it

If you’re totally killing it at work, nailing every presentation, landing every client, making every sale, but it’s still not making you happy the way it should. Then, it might be time to look at the things that actually do.

These are just the signs I was experiencing when making the decision to lean into my own business. Just remember that everyone is different. Your needs and wants may not be the same as mine, and that’s completely okay. If you love your job and what it gives you, by all means stay with it! But my only advice is that whatever brings you joy and whatever you actually love doing, do more of it.

So here’s to starting a life with endless possibilities- one with a little less glamor and a little more authenticity.

XO, Cass