Author Topic: I wrote my letter of resignation today  (Read 4429 times)

Trudie

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I wrote my letter of resignation today
« on: January 07, 2016, 06:01:28 PM »
I wrote my letter of resignation today and I highly recommend the exercise.  I didn't hand it in yet, and I'm grappling with OMY syndrome and some other emotional/transitional issues.  But, the reason I recommend the exercise is that it forced me to start addressing WHY I want to fire.  I was inspired to do it after reading Ernie Zielinski's book, "How to Retire Wild, Happy and Free."   When I finally do pull the trigger I'm going to give my employer a brief, but polite, letter.  But, this is one that I'm going to share with a few others -- in my social circle and professional circle.

I learned things about myself.  For instance:

This decision has been made after a lengthy period of discernment.  After careful thought, I have simply concluded that many of my personal and professional goals cannot be pursued while I am employed full time, and all that it entails (commuting 8-10 hours per week, scheduling family and vacation plans around month and year-end deadlines.)  In the course of doing this job over the last XXXX years I have logged over 150,000 miles commuting -- enough to circumnavigate the globe almost seven times.  I have stressed my body from sitting in the car and at a desk for eleven hours a day.  I have put off doing things with friends, aging parents, siblings, and humanitarian causes that I care about.  And I wish to circumnavigate the globe for real, while I still have the energy and health to do it.

To those expressing shock at how we might support ourselves without “real” jobs -- rest assured that we have prepared for this second act of our lives through careful saving and investing, paying off our mortgage, and a big “assist” from the Affordable Care Act -- which will enable us to purchase health insurance not tied to employment.  I trust that once freed from the daily tyranny of a schedule that as long as we have food, shelter, health insurance, an internet connection, a public library card, and enough “running around” cash to put gas in our car and pay our modest bills that we will feel as if we’re living like royals and that any challenges that may arise will either fall under “first world problems” or “problems that even money can’t fix.”  The first category can be dismissed or dealt with in creative ways, and the latter takes time, energy, or a change-of-perspective -- none of which can be drummed up while perched on a desk chair.

Allen

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2016, 06:03:21 PM »
That is really well written!

Trudie

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2016, 06:43:33 PM »
I know this is a "test run" type of letter and may never come close to the one you will actually write/submit, but this one reads really "showy off" - as if you expect people to question, gasp or murmur how you "could possibly afford to quit". 

I understand that it's a motivational tool, but coworkers/managers/supervisors don't need to know/worry about how you will " manage". Its a job, not family.  Whenever I do decide to quit my current/future job, I will put my two weeks without an explanation as to how I will "survive" past my last paycheck. I can guarantee you the company will continue on without me as if I had never been there.


OP, please don't take this as a personal attack, it is not. It just feels as if you are trying to rub it on their faces, that they will still be there and you won't. Sorry to come off as a villain here.

This is not the version I plan to give my employer or those immediately in my professional circle... that version is 4 sentences.  I realize they couldn't give two farts about my plans.  I have written that version also.  This is just the bit that's in my back pocket, to be excerpted -- as appropriate -- for a few people beyond my immediate social circle.  Believe me, I understand what you're saying.

Trudie

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2016, 07:23:01 PM »
I know this is a "test run" type of letter and may never come close to the one you will actually write/submit, but this one reads really "showy off" - as if you expect people to question, gasp or murmur how you "could possibly afford to quit". 

I understand that it's a motivational tool, but coworkers/managers/supervisors don't need to know/worry about how you will " manage". Its a job, not family.  Whenever I do decide to quit my current/future job, I will put my two weeks without an explanation as to how I will "survive" past my last paycheck. I can guarantee you the company will continue on without me as if I had never been there.


OP, please don't take this as a personal attack, it is not. It just feels as if you are trying to rub it on their faces, that they will still be there and you won't. Sorry to come off as a villain here.

This is not the version I plan to give my employer or those immediately in my professional circle... that version is 4 sentences.  I realize they couldn't give two farts about my plans.  I have written that version also.  This is just the bit that's in my back pocket, to be excerpted -- as appropriate -- for a few people beyond my immediate social circle.  Believe me, I understand what you're saying.


Gotcha ;)

It is a great motivational exercise, so thank you for posting.   Please, again, don't take my previous post as a personal atrack.

I didn't, but appreciate you clarifying nonetheless.  As I was working through it I realized that it was more of a "pep talk" to myself, and possibly a few others in the future (like worried people, who know me pretty well).  For instance, as someone who wants to travel more it was a real eye opener to me to realize that with my commute alone I could have circumnavigated the world several times.  To put in writing the effect I think my job is having on my body was powerful.  There's more to it, including a list of things I want to do and a list of things that's important to me.

I sat down first by writing my first 4 sentence letter of resignation... then started this.  It's kind of like an essay or a letter to myself.  Have you ever seen those letters people write to their future selves?  To me, it's kind of like that.

I'm a worrier and a problem solver by nature.  Writing things down helps me understand myself and my challenges better.

Jakejake

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2016, 07:43:06 PM »
For instance, as someone who wants to travel more it was a real eye opener to me to realize that with my commute alone I could have circumnavigated the world several times. 
I'm feeling this part in particular. I tallied up my bicycle miles for 2015 (mainly commuting to work), and realized it was enough to go from the north tip of South America all the way to the south tip of it. First I was all excited at the accomplishment, then I was sad thinking about all the years that I drove that many miles as a matter of course, and even sadder doing the math to figure out how much an average person drives in a year.

human

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2016, 08:38:00 PM »
My letter will go something like this - As discussed my last day of work will be xxxx/xx/xx

Why complicate it?

Daisy

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Re: I wrote my letter of resignation today
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2016, 08:40:43 PM »
I like this exercise. It would be interesting to read the letter a few years after FIRE and see if you could relate to your younger self and what you were going through. Perhaps the letter can include some of your worries about the first few years and see if any of them panned out. But more likely, you will probably be in a much better place and be grateful you are no longer suffering the effects of the commute and job on your health.

I'm going to work on my letter!