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I quit my job due to stress-related flame out a few years ago, abruptly and with no plan at all (mentioned here[0]). I am a single father with no support networ

I quit my job due to stress-related flame out a few years ago, abruptly and with no plan at all (mentioned here[0]). I am a single father with no support network. It was a ridiculously stupid move in retrospect, but at the time I really couldn't face another day due to stress coming from all directions in my life. I froze up. Thankfully, the company I work(ed) for was unreasonably cool about it - they gave me a good 5-6 weeks off, kept in touch while making it clear I would be welcomed back, and finally, re-instated me and offered a significant promotion and raise if I could move to another office in another state. That's what did the trick - I was unable to see clearly that it wasn't the job, it was the living conditions that were really the problem (shared a house with my brother as he descended into alcoholism). Accepting the new position and moving across country was reinvigorating, even though we got to the new city mere days before the lockdowns hit. Anyway, turns out I got a massively lucky break here and doubt I'll ever pull such a stunt in the future. Despite the lockdowns _everything_ has improved and my child and I are flourishing. Point is - if you are about to make such a stress induced, abrupt, massive decision with no backup plan... it's worth being clear about it to your employer, taking a leave and gaining some perspective. It really is the case that you may regret it! This little episode messed up my credit, threatened the well being of my kid, put even _more_ stress on me to figure things out. Despite the good outcome I'd strongly recommend nobody ever do anything like this. I could very easily ended up in a hovel or out on the street or some sort of horrible crap like that. [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20951444 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20951444

VRay 5y ago
Comeon, man, you're reading HackerNews Everyone here is ridiculously hireable right now If things suck, just save up 6 months' worth of expenses and quit to start a SaaS business. If it blows up in your face, start looking for a new job when you're down to about a month of runway. No sweat!
- mlac 5y ago
  The troubling part of this is that I genuinely cannot tell whether this is meant to be sarcastic or not…
  - VRay 5y ago
    I have nothing but sympathy for a dishwasher or a random office worker who gets mistreated by the system Software engineers, technicians, build engineers, sysadmins, etc are a different story. You have the power to change your circumstances, and it sucks that the world works this way, but you're going to have to use that power.
kfarr 5y ago
Congrats to you, your child, and your employer who was remarkably amazing throughout the whole thing! You're a good dad
gaws 5y ago
> Thankfully, the company I work(ed) for was unreasonably cool about it - they gave me a good 5-6 weeks off, kept in touch while making it clear I would be welcomed back, and finally, re-instated me and offered a significant promotion and raise if I could move to another office in another state. Wow. You really got lucky with this company. Too many will easily cast you aside.

VRay 5y ago

Comeon, man, you're reading HackerNews Everyone here is ridiculously hireable right now If things suck, just save up 6 months' worth of expenses and quit to start a SaaS business. If it blows up in your face, start looking for a new job when you're down to about a month of runway. No sweat!

mlac 5y ago
The troubling part of this is that I genuinely cannot tell whether this is meant to be sarcastic or not…
- VRay 5y ago
  I have nothing but sympathy for a dishwasher or a random office worker who gets mistreated by the system Software engineers, technicians, build engineers, sysadmins, etc are a different story. You have the power to change your circumstances, and it sucks that the world works this way, but you're going to have to use that power.

kfarr 5y ago

Congrats to you, your child, and your employer who was remarkably amazing throughout the whole thing! You're a good dad

gaws 5y ago

> Thankfully, the company I work(ed) for was unreasonably cool about it - they gave me a good 5-6 weeks off, kept in touch while making it clear I would be welcomed back, and finally, re-instated me and offered a significant promotion and raise if I could move to another office in another state. Wow. You really got lucky with this company. Too many will easily cast you aside.