What happened when I walked away from my job?

Twelve months after leaving my job, here’s what came next…

Photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash

This time last year, I walked away from my job. I was working as a communications manager for a national health charity, and after five years, I was ready for a change.

It was a good job. It paid the bills. But I was unfulfilled.

There was no room to grow at the organisation, no career progression and no training. Budgets were being cut. Salaries were affected. While I passionately believed in the organisation and the work we were doing, I was bored, plodding along in my comfort zone, not developing in any way.

I’ve always been ambitious and driven, but I’d started to feel stuck. ‘Is this it?’ I thought. ‘Is this what the rest of my career looks like?’

Being in my mid-forties, I was mindful that it might not be easy to get another job, but I had to make a change. The sensible approach would have been to secure another position before leaving, but working in my comfort zone, not going anywhere fast, had affected my mindset and zapped my energy. To get them back to a good place, I had to make a break.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. The fear of not knowing what my next chapter might look like was very real, but I couldn’t let it stop me trying for something better. Throughout my 25-year career (yes, I’m that old), I’ve worked hard, always learning new skills, throwing myself into my work and studies, pushing myself to be more and do more. There was absolutely no way I was going to waste it all by staying in my role and settling for less when I was capable of so much more.

So, in December 2023, I resigned. Five years is a long time to work anywhere, and I was proud of what I’d achieved, particularly a programme of online events I’d launched and hosted. I could walk away with my head held high.

My last day was at the end of January last year. It was a snowy day, and I made it into the office to do a handover. I was ill, coughing and spluttering my way through the meeting, then drove home through a snowstorm.

‘What’s next?’ I wondered.

I had options. I could find another job or go it alone, working freelance as I’ve done several times over the years. I’m a trained journalist, qualified teacher and life coach, and have years of experience working in communications and marketing—surely something would come up?

The doubting voice in my head kept reminding me of my age. Would someone employ a 44-year-old when they could go for someone younger? Had I made a big mistake?

‘No,’ I told myself. ‘It’ll be fine. Things will work out.’

I had to remain confident. And, as for the age worries, I have just as much energy, drive and enthusiasm now as I did at the start of my career. If an employer didn’t see that, I wouldn’t want to work for them.

In early February, I stepped up my job search, looking at recruitment websites and applying for a few roles that sounded interesting. I read an article that suggested listing all the things I wanted out of a new position—everything from salary expectations to the type of organisation.

So, I did.

• I wanted a job that was based at home but involved some travel.

• I wanted a job in a small but national organisation that was having a big impact.

• I wanted to be a one-woman communications team, involved in all areas of communications and marketing from campaigns through to press and media and everything in between.

• I wanted a fun and friendly team who worked hard and got things done.

• And I wanted the same sector (not for profit) but something a bit different.

When I’d finished the list, I showed it to Chris.

‘Does that job exist?’ he said.

I laughed because the chances of getting everything seemed impossible. The thing is—I didn’t want to compromise. That’s what I wanted. If one of those things was missing, it wouldn’t be the right job for me. And it had to be right.

I had a couple of warm up interviews to get back into the process. Interviews are a skill, and I’d not had one for a long time. They went okay, but nothing grabbed my attention.

One organisation left me in a room doing a written test for 30-minutes with the heating cranked up to 35 degrees and then told me they were getting all their staff back in the office because they’d been working from home for too long. It just wasn’t for me. Another interview went well, but there wasn’t a spark.

I was starting to think about going it alone, when late in the afternoon on 13 February, I got a call from a recruitment agent who’d seen my CV and thought I’d be a good match for a job she was advertising. They were interviewing the next day.

That night, I looked into the organisation and the job. It looked great, and I was excited to meet with them.

The chief executive and director of operations interviewed me. It was obvious from the off that they were professional, passionate and both had can-do attitudes.

I liked them a lot.

It wasn’t an easy interview, but I answered their questions about all things communications and marketing, and talked about myself and my skills and experience as best I could.

They left me to do a written test, and when they came back, they offered me the job.

I accepted straight away. It felt right.

Two weeks after leaving my old job, I had a new one and not just any old job. This one was home-based with travel.

It was in a small team but working for a national organisation doing big things.

It was a one-woman communications team, so I’d be involved in all areas, from campaigns through to press and media and everything in between.

From what I could tell from the interview, they were fun and hardworking, passionate about the organisation, and took action to get things done.

It was in the not-for-profit sector but was a bit different because it was a membership organisation, which meant I’d be working with the charity sector, and not in a charity in the traditional sense.

Everything on my list!

What were the chances of that happening? I kept wondering if something would go drastically wrong. It hasn’t. It’s been a fantastic year. I’ve been involved in some amazing projects, worked with some wonderful people, and have thrived in a fast-paced role with a team who gets things done. I’ve travelled regularly throughout the UK. I’m developing professionally and I’m having fun.

Leaving my old job was a risk, but I’m so glad I followed my heart and went for it. As soon as I stepped out of my comfort zone, good things really did happen.

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Have you ever left a job without having another lined up? What’s your best and worst jobs? I would love to hear. Let me know in the comments.