I Quit.

[ER Eddie]

I gave my notice today. 60 days. I've had a lot of back-and-forth changes of mind about pulling the plug over the past few years, but last Friday, it became very clear to me that it was time to go.

I have 7 or 8 pages of reasons why, and I won't burden you with all of them. Here are some of the main ones:

• I have more than enough money to retire completely.
• I told myself a long time ago that I would continue to work as long as I still enjoyed it. I'm not enjoying it.
• I am being drawn spiritually or emotionally in one direction, and work is pulling me in another, almost the opposite. Work is an impediment to where my heart wants to go.
• Intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually, it's the right decision.
• The universe has conspired in several different ways to give me a clear message: It is time to go. People say that you'll know when it's time, and I feel that now; I know it's time.
• I'm not happy with the direction my company is moving in. Morale is sinking, people are leaving, and work load is increasing.
• Work lately has felt like a real drain, no fun at all. Tiring.
• My best friend, a dog, died last week. Her death, along with the changes that followed, was a catalyst for this decision. In ways I can't explain here, it would feel like a betrayal of her if I did not stop working.
• I'm coming up on 58. I don't know how long I will live. Time > $.
• There are a lot of things I'd like to do that continuing to work makes more difficult.

I gave my boss an official resignation letter and told most of my main colleagues. I'm a little sad, because I like many of the people I work with, and I'm a little anxious about cutting free of work completely. But mostly I feel right about the decision and relieved that I've announced it. My boss asked me if there was anything he could do to get me to stay, and I basically said no. The things I'm unhappy about aren't within his control, and I didn't want to complain about the workplace anyhow; I don't want to end on a sour note.

So that's it. After years of compiling pro/con lists and changing my mind a dozen times, I've finally pulled the cord. My time at work is coming to an end.

 

[pb4uski]

Congratulations! From what you wrote it sounds like your decision was very well thought out.... start the count-down clock! Don't let them talk you into staying a day later.

 

[MuirWannabe]

Good for you Eddie

 

[Bestwifeever]

Congratulations—from your list, it is definitely the right decision. Enjoy the last two months.

 

[Walt34]

But mostly I feel right about the decision and relieved that I've announced it.

This is the biggest indication that it was "time".

Congratulations on moving to a next phase of life!

 

[RunningBum]

Congrats Eddie!

 

[Out of Steam]

There are a lot of things I'd like to do that continuing to work makes more difficult.

Congrats on your decision! I'll be just a few months behind you. Can see a lot of my own reasons in your thinking, but the feeling that working is being squeezed out by those other things is right up there.

I've tended to try doing those things despite a lack of time, and end up overtired and doing nothing well.

 

[target2019]

Good job, to you, Eddie.
Good dog, to her!

 

[RobbieB]

Good for you! Welcome to club retired.

 

[ER Eddie]

Very good. Thanks, folks.

 

[explanade]

60 days notice?

Maybe the OP isn't as ready as he thinks?

Also, over 1000 posts in ER.org before finally pulling the plug.

Not that I should talk. I joined here in 2008 and didn't pull it until September of 2014.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Congratulations to you!

 

[JDARNELL]

Congrats! Its a process and looks like you are ready to enter the ext phase of the process. Full Speed ahead!

 

[Midpack]

- My best friend, a dog, died last week. Her death, along with the changes that followed, was a catalyst for this decision. In ways I can't explain here, it would feel like a betrayal of her if I did not stop working.

Congrats Eddie! And many of us here can fully appreciate the reason above, you don’t need to explain, we get it.

 

[Bamaman]

Sounds as if 60 days from now, it's going to feel like you are free as a bird. So much will be lifted from your shoulders.

I too left at age 58 (10 years ago), and I miss my co-workers. They were all retiring shortly after me. But what's so strange is that after all these years, nobody ever talks to each other.

You were very good to give 60 days notice. In my company, give notice and you're leaving that afternoon--sometimes with security guards escorting you if in home office. I'm glad that you recognized your boss wasn't the issue and that complaining about the workplace does no good--when you're out the door. Have a great retirement.

 

[bigcmagor]

Congrats Cuz!

 

[Jerry1]

With a list like that, you were probably able to quit a long time now. I’m sure it feels good and scary and a lot of other things . . .but you sound ready willing and able. Congratulations! Your third bullet seems great. I hope whatever is pulling you, turns out to be a great life. I’m enjoying RE, but it would be nice to be able to say I had something I wanted to do pulling me in. Best to you!

 

[HI Bill]

Congrats! Time to get a new dog!

 

[WestUniversity]

Congratulations! That could have been much of my list as well. Weird huh... [emoji15]

 

[Teacher Terry]

Enjoy and get a new best friend!

 

[audreyh1]

Congratulations and best wishes for an easy transition.

 

[38Chevy454]

Congrats. Remember the saying "work to live, don't live to work "

 

[Katiek]

Congratulations. A big decision like this is rarely easy, but it definitely sounds like the right decision for you.

 

[Dtail]

Congrats and welcome to the best part of your life.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Congratulations! This is one of the best-written posts I've seen here regarding finally giving notice and clearly listing the reasons why. I ER's at about the same age and can identify with many of the things you mentioned.