Reflecting on my journey, I remember a pivotal moment in the fall of 2023. I was in Winters, California, a small town with about 6,000 people. I found myself at a crossroads in a Marriott Hotel room, a mile from a manufacturing plant, where I was scheduled to train a team on almonds and walnut processing. The year leading up to that moment had been grueling. I had been on the road for 45 of the last 52 weeks, traversing the United States, living off of fast food and coffee. My days were long, often stretching to 12 hours, and even back at the hotel, work continued. I hadn’t seen my friends in weeks, and my hobbies and passions had all taken a back seat. The pain from constant travel was not just a physical ailment; it was a manifestation of my deep-seated unhappiness. Waking up in that hotel room, every part of me resisted the day ahead. I realized it wasn’t just the discomfort of another day at work but a profound internal scream for change.

For years, I had been a manufacturing consultant, a job that, while intellectually satisfying, demanded too much from me. The travel, long hours, and the resulting distance from my family affected my health and relationships. Then, a week after leaving my job, a couple of simple yet profound moments underscored the significance of my decision. As I played video games with my three-year-old daughter, she turned to me and said, “Dad, you’re my best friend.” That moment was a heartwarming affirmation of my choice. Walking my daughters to school, a once elusive pleasure, became a daily joy. These experiences, so ordinary yet meaningful, symbolized the life I yearned for – a life where I was physically and emotionally present.

The decision to leave my job came without a backup plan. It was a leap into the unknown, fueled by a desire for creative fulfillment over financial security. My wife and I took practical steps to adjust to our new reality. We cut down on expenses and re-evaluated our lifestyle. My wife began working as a substitute teacher, a role reversal that supported our family during this transition. The financial aspect was daunting, but we believed in the value of our skill sets beyond the traditional employment model. The experience and skills I gained as a consultant could be repurposed in creative, flexible ways that aligned more with my values and the life I wanted to lead.

My advice to those feeling trapped in their careers is simple yet profound: Listen to your gut. If you feel a full-body ‘no’ towards your work, pay attention to that. It’s your body and mind telling you something important. Remember to consider the value of your skills outside a salaried job. A world of opportunity awaits you beyond a 9-5 confines.

This journey has been challenging. There were moments of doubt and fear. But each step away from my old life reaffirmed my decision. The joy of being with my family, the relief of no longer waking up in pain, and the excitement of exploring new possibilities have been gratifying.

I left my job as a consultant to find something more – a sense of purpose and fulfillment that no salary could match. It’s a journey of embracing the unknown, redefining success and discovering a life where I am truly present. It’s about making a life, not just a living.
In the days following my departure, the small joys of life began to unfold in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The newfound bond with my daughters, the freedom to live without the dread of another painful morning, and the space to breathe and think about my next steps were liberating. It starkly contrasted with my known life, ruled by schedules, meetings, and constant travel.

Remember, the leap might be scary for anyone standing at the edge of such a decision, but the place you land could be exactly where you need to be. Embrace the moments that matter, listen to the whispers of change, and have the courage to step into a life that genuinely reflects who you are and what you value. Your future self will thank you for it.