TRI NURAINI

I recently quit my office/full-time job. Yep, I just did and I got loads of questions from people around me: “why on earth?” I understand why they questioned me, as much as I understand why I decided so.

I was extremely happy with where I was. I had an amazing job in a technology company, I got to meet many inspiring people, and I even loved the challenges no matter how hard it was, as I continued to grow. It was everything I could dream of a full-time job. Nothing was wrong and I love every second of it. So back to the question, why on earth?

So I had been working in a corporate setting for about ten years in several companies, and from time to time I questioned the value of work in life. For sure, values always become one of the considerations. Some values like integrity, social, and professionalism might not very much change. But there are also some dynamics in that. For example, one time you value your career progress, the other time you value your personal time or a more balanced life.

On the other hand,  I am a typical hard worker person because I always feel over responsible for every job I got, that I want to ALWAYS give the best out of me. Most people see me as an ambitious person but that’s not it, really. I just feel that I need to get the work done.

And the magic sort of started happening, I got promotions and followed by increased income from time to time. Even better, my last job was in the education technology company, dominated by young people, a job I really passionate about. And…even much better, I started to teach in a university as a part-time lecturer about three years ago.

I was happy. I lived my dream.

So what was wrong?

Nothing really. I just came to the realization that I have been working and loads of working for the past ten years in my life. I never really stopped, I was only running and running. Though I took some vacations in between, it still hits me right in front of my eyes. Where is the finish line? Okay, I need also to be honest here. In the other side, I also started to feel exhausted no matter how excited I was. In the midst of a world that is more and more demanding; the high velocity and expectations. I was feeling left out.

I need a break.

And so I did,

I quit my full-time job.

Actually, this is not my first major break, about five years ago I had my first career break for a full year. I decided to pursue my master’s degree and lived abroad as I received a scholarship from the government. It was definitely one of the best years of my life, not just I got my degree, but I also had tons of adventures from traveling around Europe. I learned a lot from this experience.

Okay, let’s come back to the present moment. Why now? I’m taking another major career break as I recently I gave up my last full-time job. I didn’t have any issues or feud or anything negative at the office, I just have a strong feeling to really take a break this time around. 

I want more of life and to enjoy more of the presents rather than worrying so much about the future, running and running. Life for me used to be a long checklist of things to do, as I worked with this system the whole time. I always wanted to strive for something, and achieve some goals. But the ultimate question is, what is it for?

Currently, I’m still teaching at the university though as this gives me more flexibility in terms of working hours. I love teaching and I know in my heart that I always want to be a teacher. I didn’t give up this job but rather continued as it is. However, I still need to figure out what I really want to do more in the future. What things serve more for my happiness in the future.

I know I need to be rational about this decision. Though more and more I understand that my happiness is not determined by possessions (I’ll come back to this later), I kind of have prepared for this too. I finished my mortgage and else, and I have some savings that could help me adjust with lower income and sustain myself for the next few months. I thought I’m ready. 🙂

The aftermath

So how do I feel after a month making this quite significant change? Lots of my friends keep asking whether and when I will come back to the office or corporate world, or whether I am bored already.

The answer is, I’m not.

At least, not yet.

I am extremely happy, enjoying my self and me-time. I still do things that  I love like learning piano, playing tennis, swing-dancing, and of course, continue writing this blog. I spend more time watching movies, playing games on my mobile, helping my parents out, eating good food and planning for some trips that I will take this year. I don’t have any real plans in the near future, but I have some personal projects that I want to start (one is now on the making). One thing for sure, I will continue to teach. 🙂

Currently, I just want to enjoy the present, and figure things out along the way.

I feel I’m in a much better state.

I don’t know what holds for me in the future. I might just continue working as a lecturer, find a new type of work, and come back to the corporate setting, who knows? Change is inevitable I guess, it could be next month, next quarter, or next year. We’ll see!

Oh one more thing, on a side note, as I always had been productive, it is actually hard for me to relax. I still feel like I’m in the jetlag phase, wake up every day needing to accomplish something. I’m getting better though.. ☕

Some tips

I don’t want to encourage you should take a career break. I feel that this situation might vary for each person. However, if you think so, here are some things to consider:

1. Understand the underlying reasons

Really try to go a bit deeper in yourself. What is the major cause of you wanting to have a break? Is it simple you just can’t stand your colleagues, boss or the environment? Hint: there is no perfect company, colleagues, or bosses. Ask yourself: do you need a simple vacation or a proper break? I feel the need to take a break need to be very rational with full awareness of the consequences.

2. Saving up some money

When you decide, go check if you can sustain yourself at least for the next couple of months. Leaving the comfort of fixed income is really not easy I suppose. The best time to do it is when you are free from debt, and yes, have some little savings.

3. Gather ideas

I know we’re not supposed to make a considerable plan when taking a big break. But I myself know in my head I have at least some ideas about what I want to do during my break.

Another reason why I am taking this break is also that I have some personal projects that I want to do by myself since previously I was too busy working and I couldn’t find myself spare time.