I quit my corporate job... with no backup plan

Alyssa’s Journey: Quitting Without a Plan

Author

Ark
June 22, 2025

By Alyssa

Three years ago, I landed my dream job at a company I’d been dying to work for. A year ago, I stepped into a role I thought was my ultimate goal. But today, I quit. No backup plan, no safety net—just me, Alyssa, taking a “commercial break” from my career. And for the first time, I feel free.

Growing up in an immigrant household, where my parents toiled 80 hours a week in blue-collar restaurant jobs, a white-collar corporate career was the North Star of success. When I started at this big corporation, I felt incredibly lucky. I had a competitive salary, flexible hours with remote work options, and health insurance. My work felt far-reaching and impactful. I was living the dream—or so I thought.

About a year ago, something shifted. The signs were undeniable, though I tried to ignore them. First, my energy was gone. I stopped enjoying the things I loved, and my usual bubbly self was nowhere to be found. Anxiety about work consumed me, and exhaustion became my default state. Second, brain fog took over. Diagnosed with ADHD—a surprise to no one who knows me—and depression, I realized I was struggling more than I’d admitted. Third, my relationships suffered. Stress and anxiety made me impatient with friends and loved ones, and I failed to show up for the people who mattered most. Finally, I lost my passion—for learning, for people, for life. I love people, but I couldn’t find that spark anymore.

Like anyone else, I gaslit myself. Maybe I just needed to work harder, get better at my job, or set clearer boundaries. When a job posting came up at a company I’d dreamed of working for, with a role perfectly aligned with my skills, I couldn’t even bring myself to apply. My confidence was gone, and I was forgetting who I was—the traits that make me me.

In a capitalistic world, quitting without a plan feels like failure. Everyone around me who left their jobs seemed to have it figured out: side hustles, passion projects, small businesses, content creation, or new gigs in different industries. They had something to look forward to, something that promised future income. I had nothing. Quitting felt like giving up, and I hate failing.

But after wrestling with these feelings for far too long, I had an epiphany. Maybe I am passionate—about exploring, trying new things, connecting with people, and reigniting parts of my soul I’ve repressed over the last few years. Maybe I could discover if I like those rediscovered parts of myself more than who I am now. So, I quit.

Now, I’m stepping into the unknown. I might travel a bit, picking up odd jobs to make ends meet. For the first time in my life, I don’t have a plan, but I’ve never been so sure that this is the right move for me. This is just the beginning. If you’re feeling stuck, waiting for the “right time” to make a change, come along for the ride. I’ll be creating, exploring, and figuring things out in real time. Maybe I’ll crash and burn, ending up in my parents’ basement. But hopefully, I’ll learn a thing or two before that happens.

Until next time, I’m Alyssa, wayfaring without a plan.

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