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The perks of being a quitter
You’re allowed to change your mind
Kara Detwiller
September 26, 2024
Today’s edition of Wishful Working is a 3 minute read.
When I google the definition of quitter, it says “a person who gives up easily or does not have the courage or determination to finish a task.”
Merriam Webster’s definition offers an initial definition and a scathing follow-up:
One that quits
Especially: one that gives up too easily
Ouch! That seems a bit unfair.
In fact, I think quitting is underrated — especially for those of us with a tendency to cling to the status quo like a life raft in a sea of uncertainty.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Last month, I wrote a newsletter about my “anti-bucket list,” a list of exciting and compelling activities I’m consciously choosing not to pursue in my career as a writer and marketer. Identifying those things frees my mind and energy to focus on things I do want to spend my time on.
Similarly, quitting things frees me to pursue new opportunities that are more aligned with my goals and interests.
It’s natural for our aspirations to change. How many of us are doing the jobs we thought we’d be doing when we were five? (I clearly did not become an astronaut veterinarian.) Even just five years ago, I swore I would never become a freelancer. Today, I’d swear I’ll never have a normal, full-time, 9-5 job. Lol. As Michael Scott would say, “How the turn tables.”
What works for you right now probably will not work for you forever, and that’s okay. Many of us have been indoctrinated with some old school careerism that tells us we must commit to one path, even one employer, for our entire careers. “Job hoppers” are still disparaged, but be so for real — changing jobs is often the best (read: only) way to get a raise, and many workers who appear to be “job hoppers” have actually experienced multiple layoffs due to no fault of their own.
The perks of quitting don’t just apply to big, career-level decisions. Quitting in small ways can improve your routine and your wellbeing. The recent trend of “quiet quitting” is essentially just workers saying, “I’m going to quit going above and beyond for a job that doesn’t value me.”
As a freelancer, I’ve quit many things: clients who aren’t paying me enough, services I don’t enjoy offering, marketing efforts that aren’t bringing in leads. It’s good to be flexible and stay in tune with what feels good and what doesn’t, what’s working and what isn’t.
Unfortunately, I’m great at sticking with something because it’s familiar, even if it’s not really working for me anymore. I’m a creature of habit, and I also have a strong aversion to “giving up” or “failing” at something. Maybe I need to reframe my “failures” as learning experiences and valuable opportunities to pivot. Maybe you do too.
I think quitting needs a rebrand. Quitters don’t necessarily lack courage or commitment or determination. Oftentimes, they have all of those things (in abundance!) and are choosing to redirect their focus.
Quitting can be a radical act of self-compassion.
Go forth and quit.
See you next week,
Kara
Wishful Working is inspired by my desire to see more people enjoy a life not centered around work. For some, the path to freedom and flexibility is through self-employment, but we also need to challenge cultural norms and champion healthier working conditions and work/life balance for all types of workers.