8 People Who Traded Corporate Job Stress for Life on Their Own Terms (Page 2 ) | August 5, 2025
Annonce:
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Story 1

My dad d!ed suddenly. The pain hit me deeply. I sent a polite message to my boss, asking for three days off. Instead of understanding, he called me, sounding annoyed: “This project is urgent. Can’t it wait?” That response said it all.

I didn’t reply and took the time off anyway, traveling home to bury my father. Being with family and memories made me realize I hadn’t just lost a parent—I had lost myself in a job that never truly appreciated me.

Back at the office, I wrote my resignation letter and handed it in the very next day. “You’re quitting? Right now?” my boss asked, stunned.

I simply nodded and said, “I’m done putting off what really matters.” I cleared my desk and walked out.

Just a month later, I launched my passion—a small digital platform offering mental health support for those in grief. It was what I needed, and now I’m able to help others too.

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Story 2

At 26, I left my teaching job in a classroom and switched to working online full-time. My mother-in-law was never a fan of this change — she’d mutter behind my back, “She just sits at home glued to the computer.”

Then one day, she burst into the room and demanded, “When will you get a real job?” You should have seen her face when I told her I was making twice as much as her precious son, my then-husband.

Nowadays, I’m still teaching, but it’s all virtual. I start my day by putting on some makeup and a nice blouse, opening my laptop, and just like that, the work begins.

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Story 3

It was a typical Tuesday. I’d just clocked 11 hours, skipped lunch, and missed my son’s school play—again.

At midnight, still glued to a contract, I glanced outside. Moonlight bathed my wild, overgrown garden.

I closed my laptop, stepped out barefoot, and was struck by the silence and the smell of earth. It was a moment that woke me up.

The following week, I secretly enrolled in a garden design course without telling a soul for six months.

When I finally left my stressful job, my coworkers thought I’d lost it. But really, I was rebuilding my life.

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Now, I design outdoor spaces that help others find peace. My very first client was a former law client who credited my garden designs with saving her from burnout.

Story 4

I used to work as a personal assistant in a law firm, running on caffeine and endless errands, while my own dreams were pushed aside. The tipping point? My mother-in-law.

One evening, she glanced at a tiny vase I’d made at a weekend pottery class and said, “Cute hobby, but don’t get too big for a real job.”

My husband nervously laughed; I didn’t.

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That night, I cried—not from her words, but because part of me feared she was right. The next day, I quietly signed up for an intensive pottery course.

Six weeks turned into six months, and I began selling my mugs online. When I finally quit to open a small studio, my mother-in-law called it reckless.

Six months later, she asked me to create a custom vase for her retirement party. I smiled and said, “Sure, but family prices are double.”

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Story 5

I used to work at a daycare where parents often complimented the creative hairstyles I did on the kids.

After six months, I left to find myself. Now, I’m a well-known stylist in a big city, specializing in wedding and evening hairdos.

My schedule is booked solid for the next few months. I’m grateful to all those little “models” who helped me get here. © Overheard / Ideer

Story 6

Turning 30 soon, I’ve spent most of my life in management and law, but deep down, I wanted to try cooking. I hesitated for a long time, listening to doubts and fears, and every morning started in tears and despair.

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Tomorrow is my last day at work. Despite having no experience, my CV for cook positions has unexpectedly sparked interest. I’m betting on a small place that’s ready to hire me right away.

As a child, I dreamed of being a police officer, but it never happened. Now, I’m ready to put on a chef’s uniform instead. Why not? © Riful / Pikabu

Story 7

I quit a high-profile job, sold my belongings, and embarked on a round-the-world trip.

Two months in, I’ve visited eight African countries. Just six months ago, I would’ve laughed if someone told me I’d be writing this from Mozambique.

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Dreams do come true—if you’re brave enough to take the first step. Don’t panic. Follow your heart’s voice. I think I may have even found love on this journey.

Story 8

After inheriting two apartments from my grandmother, I decided to rent them out. I left my teaching job and now tutor a few students from home. I’m sleeping better, took a trip to the sea, and even got a massage.

People whisper that my tenants will cheat me, that I just got lucky, or that quitting my job was foolish.

But for the first time in my life, I feel like I’m truly living. Only two people have genuinely congratulated me: my mom and a distant friend who said, “Enjoy it!”

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