Gave notice of resignation today

[Ursus Major]

After more than 20 years with my current employer, I gave my notice of resignation today. I've been unhappy for a while and finally had enough courage and enough of a stash (I hope) to pull the trigger today.

I don't feel badass though, just some alternating and concurring feelings of relief, a bit of anxiety and a slow thawing of other emotions.

I'm very grateful to the people on this forum as well as the many bloggers on FI for providing the foundation and encouragement for this decision. In particular Dr. Doom's blog at livingafi.com has been uniquely helpful due to the way he describes his inner life as he went through his experiences.

[former player]

Congratulations and good luck.  Any plans yet. or would you rather not disclose?

( I understand not disclosing.  A long time ago I Interrailed my way round Europe in the hiatus between jobs, and dutifully sent postcards about every other day to the then boyfriend.  When I got back he complained that just about every postcard came from a different place from that predicted in the previous postcard.  I put a lot of effort into those postcards and was not amused.)

[Ursus Major]

Nothing to disclose, because I don't have any plans, yet. Unless you count decompressing as a plan. ;)

Right now I just want to get through the final weeks and then slowly get adjusted to the non-working part. My WR is under 3%, so I should be okay financially, but it'll remain to be seen how I'll handle the emotional aspect of no longer getting a regular paycheck.

My family lives in Europe, so perhaps I'm going to pay them an unplanned visit later this year. Of course I can't tell my mom that I've quit my job and am not looking for a new one, she's freak out, if she knew.

[RedmondStash]

Congratulations! Taking time to decompress is a really good idea. It's a big step and a big adjustment, with lots of potential emotional ramifications.

Just remember -- if it turns out you aren't happy not working, you can always get another job.

But for now -- you're free!

[forummm]

Congrats!

[Ursus Major]

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.

Just remember -- if it turns out you aren't happy not working, you can always get another job.

Yes, that is something I tell myself as well. Plus I can try out different things like working part-time or trying out new jobs altogether. Probably those would be on the lower end of the pay scale, but then again I don't need to be in major accumulation mode anymore.

[RedmondStash]

Yes, that is something I tell myself as well. Plus I can try out different things like working part-time or trying out new jobs altogether. Probably those would be on the lower end of the pay scale, but then again I don't need to be in major accumulation mode anymore.

FWIW, I spent 20 years in IT software documentation and then made a deliberate switch to a greater passion, the video-game industry. It doesn't pay nearly as well, but I saved up enough in my first career to be able to afford the pay cut. Even though my progress toward FI is slower now, I'm having more fun at work.

[Ursus Major]

FWIW, I spent 20 years in IT software documentation and then made a deliberate switch to a greater passion, the video-game industry. It doesn't pay nearly as well, but I saved up enough in my first career to be able to afford the pay cut. Even though my progress toward FI is slower now, I'm having more fun at work.

I vaguely remember reading that the video-game industry has some kind of sweatshop mentality. But it sounds like this is not the case where you work. In any case it's great that you found a second career that is more enjoyable than your previous one.

What skills and experience did they require?

[RedmondStash]

FWIW, I spent 20 years in IT software documentation and then made a deliberate switch to a greater passion, the video-game industry. It doesn't pay nearly as well, but I saved up enough in my first career to be able to afford the pay cut. Even though my progress toward FI is slower now, I'm having more fun at work.

I vaguely remember reading that the video-game industry has some kind of sweatshop mentality. But it sounds like this is not the case where you work. In any case it's great that you found a second career that is more enjoyable than your previous one.

What skills and experience did they require?

Different game companies have different cultures, and some do have a sweatshop mentality. The place where I work now doesn't, but it's not my first game company.

The skills and experience they require depend on the position you're looking for. Unfortunately, for a lot of game-industry jobs, there's a Catch-22 of them wanting you to already have game-industry experience. It can take a long time to break in; it took me more than 2 years. But once you're in and you've got some street cred, it's a lot easier to get looked at for future jobs.