View Full Version : Quit My Job
LeahHoneyBadger
01-16-2017, 12:50
Looking for emotional support, about to put in notice for my job for my upcoming thru.
If you have been talking about your up coming hike, (I know I would be) it should come as no surprise to them.
I don't know where you work,and it may not matter but I always try not to burn any bridges.
Have fun on your hike!
V8
I feel your pain. I just started a job within the last four months. Today or tomorrow will be a though day. But this has been a 20 year dream of mine. Not trying to burn bridges but I only life once and I am not getting any younger. Work will always be there. Once my wife approved the trip it was a done deal.
IM me if you want to talk about it
Flutch
Christoph
01-16-2017, 14:00
I retired from the military in '15 and that was retirement present to myself. I always wanted to try a thru and that seemed like the best time in my life to do it. 2 years later, I'm quitting my job and heading out around April something this year. I didn't finish the 1st time (that was the goal after all) and I'm starting over using what I learned from the 1st trip. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones that have an understanding wife and the 2nd chance to do it Haha. Go for it, don't look back, and have fun! You won't be the only one out here this year who quit their job to undertake a dream. Hope to see you out there!
Slo-go'en
01-16-2017, 14:22
Good luck, hope it all works out for ya.
I would be right with ya!my ankles shot.dont look back enjoy your hike:banana
Looking for emotional support, about to put in notice for my job for my upcoming thru.
Isn't emotional support from a bunch of anonymous strangers somewhat meaningless and insincere?
That said, it's only a job, and there are others. Good job!
Maineiac64
01-16-2017, 15:16
See if you can get a leave of absense.
Hikingjim
01-16-2017, 15:25
"I'm goin' for a walk, boss"
"when you coming back?"
"5 or 6 months. I'll see you then!"
Quitting can be very liberating, assuming it's for the right reasons. Enjoy your hike
lwhikerchris
01-16-2017, 16:19
You will be a different and better person after your thru. You'll know the job you actually want and are meant to have.
ScareBear
01-16-2017, 16:50
If it is right for you, then do it!
Knowing if/when it is right for you is the key.
No matter what, I wish you good luck!
I am of the opinion that if you hike hard, pay attention to yourself, and remain aware of what is happening, you will grow and maybe have a few epiphanies. Maybe some of the epiphanies will be game-changers. Quite the fringe benefit!
Again, good luck. I hope it works out, even if it doesn't!
Been with the company for 7 years when i told them. Said nothing but the truth. "I need a change mate!" "Change of what?" "Everything."
I rarely have done anything in my life that felt so good. It is going to be the epic start of a new chapter in your life, no need to be anxious. It'll work out just fine.
Believe in yourself.
Baloo
LeahHoneyBadger
01-16-2017, 17:33
Thanks for all the well wishes. It was a hard thing to do as most of my life has been going with the mainstream and not doing things like this for myself.
I was very much in a panic as this was one of the last things to do to fully commit.
To Uriah - hopefully I get to meet these lovely people in the next few months and they are no longer strangers
To Flutch - Good Luck, You too will feel liberated!
jimmyjam
01-16-2017, 18:54
Good Luck. Go for it!
bikeandhike
01-16-2017, 20:18
I quit mine as well!
I work for a super cool company so I gave them 3 months notice, and always have the option to go back to work with them (when/if something is available) if I want to when I get back.
See you out there. NOBO Mid-March.
I'm starting March 6 NOBO and doing the approach. I gave my company a 2 month notice and they were quite understanding and appreciative of my honesty. It felt great to tell them and was a HUGE step mentally in preparation of the upcoming life changing adventure! Do it and don't feel bad.
peakbagger
01-18-2017, 16:57
If folks are leaving their job amicably and potentially would like to work for the company again in the future, its definitely worth sending a few emails with photos along the way (in the good old days I heard of people actually writing something on the back of a post card but expect that's ancient history). No sense burning bridges.
Greenlight
01-18-2017, 17:39
Here's my emotional support for you: You're only 35! I wish I had my 35 year old body back to hike in, but I'm pretty well invested in this 51 year old frame. At least it isn't an 81 year old frame, though I do hope to still be hiking at that point. Your job, your career, your life...will quite likely be completely different after you complete this thru-hike. Be one of the 20 percent that completes your thru. Hike the miles. Be true to the friends you meet. Relish that feeling of waking up in the morning refreshed like a ten year old at the beginning of Summer vacation, ready to go out and play! Listen to your body, especially your feet, and take care of them as soon as they're telling you something is wrong. Eat the giant stack of pancakes. Wet your hair under the waterfall. Do the half-gallon of ice cream challenge. Hike naked on Hike Naked Day in June, even if it's only for half a mile. Participate in the 'safety meetings' and find out who you are again when everything else but walking, eating, and sleeping is taken away. The fact that you're even starting this year is testament to your spirit. You've got this!
JumpMaster Blaster
01-18-2017, 20:59
I retired from the military in '15 and that was retirement present to myself. I always wanted to try a thru and that seemed like the best time in my life to do it. 2 years later, I'm quitting my job and heading out around April something this year. I didn't finish the 1st time (that was the goal after all) and I'm starting over using what I learned from the 1st trip. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones that have an understanding wife and the 2nd chance to do it Haha. Go for it, don't look back, and have fun! You won't be the only one out here this year who quit their job to undertake a dream. Hope to see you out there!
Christpoh, I myself just retired last summer. I wish the best for you!
Christoph
01-18-2017, 21:53
Thanks brotha. I was stationed at Pope for 11 and a half years, then retired out of Moody, A-10 weapons/HH-60 combat rescue. But to get back on track...
Thought after retirement would be a great time to take a little time for myself and find out what I wanted to be when I grew up. A few years later, I still haven't a clue. Maybe on this next thru attempt haha.
One Half
01-19-2017, 00:09
Do it! You won't regret attempting to thru but you will regret not attempting.
Been there, done that. Took longer than expected to land my next job afterwards, but in the scheme of things, no big deal. Climbing the corporate ladder was never on my to-do list.
I just posted my notice a few days ago
37952
I just posted my notice a few days ago
37952
I love it!
I too am done working after 21 years this spring. Thru hike starts the following month.
There will be butterflies in your stomach...that feeling like you're just about to jump off a bridge. Its perfectly normal to feel that way.
I just posted my notice a few days ago
37952
Skeletor is the perfect mascot or quitting your job.
You won't look back. (Unless you get off at Neel Gap.) I decided to sell my business that I had for 14 years while on the trail. Clarity was a gift from my thru. Have fun and don't wring your hands! Send them postcards each month, and if you still want that job when you are done, maybe they will take you back.
Land_Shark
02-14-2017, 08:36
HYOH.........develop your own style and approach......i would not quitjob unless you dislike it. I would suggest that you try a section or two at first......a week's worth of hiking to see if your body.......mind.......can handle the tough question that will be asked by your inner voice....why,why,why am i doing this? And if you do not have good answers for why you are doing this then thru hiking such a distance is not for you. Remember that of those who start more then 75% do not finish and they quit there job as the first step. I am not being mean. I have been doing this for a long time and have seen this trail DESTROY people motivation and spirt. I would suggest the CT as a first long distance hike. This trail is easy and beautiful.
I wish you the best and keep eye for me i will have snaks and goodies.
Do it. I am also quitting my job to thru hike this year. Sometimes a change or a shake up is required in life. Have a great hike!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
I just resigned from a comfortable job that I was burned out at. My last day is 3/3 and I'm starting NOBO April 28th. I prayed about it for weeks and talked it over with family. I've been getting overwhelming support.
Congratulations on your decision and maybe I'll see you out there.
bkristynicole
03-01-2017, 17:30
I just put in my two weeks. Last day is March 17. I am leaving Houston, TX April 1 (hahaha) and I am planning on starting April 3rd. In my opinion, you know... If you are second guessing, that will only get worse on the trail... (Been there, my first attempt was in 2010.) But if you know in your gut that it's time to do something else, then do it... Good luck and happy trails!
kayak karl
03-01-2017, 17:42
don't worry. jobs are a dime a dozen. careers on the other hand are hard to come by......
Yo! Right there with you. I put in my notice a while ago, last day is coming quick! Start my thru on 17 June. Only advice, don't over plan. You will just drive yourself nuts with the details that will just go out the window once you hit the trail.
Traveler
03-03-2017, 08:46
don't worry. jobs are a dime a dozen. careers on the other hand are hard to come by......
Very well stated, a distinction with a serious difference.
4eyedbuzzard
03-03-2017, 10:22
don't worry. jobs are a dime a dozen. careers on the other hand are hard to come by......While the rewards of thru-hiking can be great from a personal standpoint, the true costs of thru-hiking can be higher than just what is spent on gear and hiking. I always wonder how many with little to no long distance hiking experience have quit good jobs or perhaps worse, messed up a career path, and set out to thru-hike, only to find out early on that thru-hiking wasn't their cup of tea? How many good jobs lost, relationships gone south, etc, that a two week section hike could have saved? Probably not a reality a lot of people want to consider.
Live life. Build a life. A career you're passionate about is part of life but does not have to entirely define it. A jobby type job is well... just that...a job.
Embracing the unfamiliar, the unknown, and aiming to joyfully mindfully adapt is part of the requirement for LD hiking...and living life more fully.
Perhaps, you might recognize how you can connect hiking, using the experiences of thru-hiking, as adding to a passionate career rather than an avoidance or ignorance of it. That's what I do. Define your hike. Don't let others do it for you. Organize your hike to include what you want.
Thru-hiking is surely NOT just about hiking! Thru-hiking surely does NOT have to be approached or perceived as being irresponsible or lacking commitment or a vacation...despite what anyone assumes. Being a passionate Landscape Architect and horticulturalist I study plants and design on everyone of my hikes. Visiting museums, Botanical Gardens, taking in musical venues, farmer's markets, different regional cultures, foods, volunteering for a day or two doing trail maintenance, cooperating with others, ad infinitum while on thru-hikes makes me better... better in a way that relates to a career where I have to directly work with people face to face. Thru-hiking makes us more aware. It takes us out of cultural and societal norms an enormously beneficial aspect. Plus, the social skills and go with the flow persevering attitude being developed as a challenged LD hiker/traveler directly applies to a better team working structure and 'delivered as promised on time' result in a career setting. The physical and mental fortitude as well as wider national and world perspective that is developed on a thru-hike beneficially crossovers to work environments. Thru-hiking can be an ideal vehicle for developing self actualization - the achievement of one's full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world. Self-actualization occurs when you maximize your potential, doing the best that you are capable of doing. What's so wonderful is that much of this happens while not being totally aware of it while it's occurring.
Track3307
03-03-2017, 13:51
I was extremely surprised at how support my co-workers and superiors were when I announced my intent to thru hike - The best approach my wife and I found was to be honest about it. This is a once in a lifetime (For the majority of hikers) opportunity that you have to take.
This year I will be thru hiking with my wife, but I had an opportunity 5 years ago and let it pass for silly reasons. I regretted it every day. You won't regret going for it!
Track3307
03-03-2017, 13:53
"How supportive" rather
i just quit my job all of a sudden. my original plan was to quit around this time but then i got a pretty significant raise and decided i should put off the thru to save up more money. but i just realized how bored i am with life right now so i just quit. i need a change up real badly. going back to my original plan now to flip flop starting mid may
stephanD
04-25-2018, 08:31
don't worry. jobs are a dime a dozen. careers on the other hand are hard to come by......
Totally agree. OP does not say if this is a job or a career. Anyhow, if they like you, they will take you back.
stephanD
04-25-2018, 08:32
don't worry. jobs are a dime a dozen. careers on the other hand are hard to come by......
Totally agree. OP does not say if this is a job or a career. Anyhow, if they like you, they will take you back.