Why you should quit your job today

Why are you continuing to go to work if it doesn't make you happy? Why are you wasting your time doing something you do not want to be doing? It's easy: Our society has convinced us that making money is more important than our happiness. I am a perfect example of this. Recently, I quit my job summer job rather spontaneously. As I was doing it, I was freaking myself out and stressing about what was going to happen. But what was I so afraid of? I was afraid of someone being upset with me, of not knowing where my next paycheck would come from, of people thinking I was irresponsible, of not being able to afford to do things while I was unemployed.

I was afraid that my parents would be disappointed in me. Ironically, that is why I had to do it. It was important for me to make the choice and commit to something so against the grain of what everyone expected of me. For once, I was not overthinking the choice I had made because it was over. I did not have to think about that job any longer and I was happier for it. Of course I wondered how I was going to pay for bills, gas and food, but then I realized something. I had saved up a good amount from the months I had been picking up doubles and doing side jobs; the only thing I had to worry about was getting my next job. Of course, I did not have to start working again right away like my parents wanted me to. I could live off my savings for a few weeks and just relax, (but not go out and spend, spend, spend). So, that is exactly what I have been doing, and it has been the best time of my whole life.

To do nothing but hang out on the couch with my roommates for five days in a row and not have anything to be upset about about because I'm doing what makes me happy is incredibly freeing. I am not out shopping for this season's hottest sweater or name brand items because I am not concerned with material possessions. It is certainly better to live a life of quality rather than quantity, but I think our society favors the latter.

We work to make money. We make money to buy things, pay bills, travel, and have experiences. But when can we do all of those things if we are constantly at work? And when we are not at work, we are sleeping because we worked so long to get the money. Then we are expected to save the money. But what are we saving for? A house, food, travel, experiences. But why would we save for those things when we can just do them? Why work your ass off and then do nothing but work just so you can say you have money in the bank? Is that happiness? It certainly is not my kind of happiness.

So quit your job. Relax, unwind, and do something for yourself for once. Everyone can use a break now and then.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FOR THE ODYSSEY