Why I Quit My Corporate Job & Took an Adult Gap Year (aka Mid-Career Break)

[@jenna2026]

One thing I learned in life is there is no one job category for the rest of your life. My Father received his Bachelors Degree at the age of 22, and worked as an Engineer in his 20s. He went back to school at age 30, became a a Lawyer in his 30s and early 40s, by his mid 40's he had decided that he wanted to change careers again... and went back to school and became a Doctor in his 50s and early 60s. When he turned 65 he retired but by age 68 was bored and decided to go to Bartending school to become a Bartender, he said the Bartending job was more enjoyable than all of the other jobs he held before. Life is a journey and you only get one life, so live in without excuses or regrets!

[@millionaireoneday9149]

Thats great to hear ty for the share.

[@vovanminh999]

Wow your dad is awesome .

[@clint1285]

wow

[@annajones9701]

Sounds a bs story

[@clint1285]

@@annajones9701 lol

[@Addylabs]

Every 3 to 5 years I take a 4-month gap and relax, realign myself and approach work with new energy, so far I have got good jobs after the break and I have no regrets for taking breaks. I become more creative when there is no boss on my head and it really feels like living life and enjoying my hard-earned money. :) We as humans are not designed to work non-stop and work is just a part of life not everything. :)

[@PeaceLovexo7]

what do you do for health care during those breaks?

[@Addylabs]

@@PeaceLovexo7 I have a personal insurance

[@KayFabe87]

liz : For healthcare, eat well (get rid if the sugars, processed carbs, alcohol, cigarettes and drink a lot of water), exercise regularly, eat no more than 2 meals a day, and sit as little as possible. You don't need to go to the doctor for every sniffle, nor do you need prescription drugs for every ailment. Insurance is for the emergency situations like an injury or an illness that results in hospitalization and could cost a lot of money. Similar to your homeowners insurance where you are really only insuring against the catastrophic event that will cost a lot of money. Get a high deductible policy that protects you from the potential catastrophic medical event that could potentially bankrupt you. Pay cash for the other things. You will save in the long run by keeping yourself healthy instead of relying on the medical industry for your "health".

[@shrutirajkumarpatil115]

@@KayFabe87 good piece of advice!

[@eddyv500]

I’m sort of doing the same. Took a break in Sept from my Corp management job to get myself back together and enjoy sometime away from it all. I have a lot of ppl telling that I’m crazy and need to get a job ASAP. I’m 30 years old with decent savings. What would you tell them?

[@hankmoody5514]

I work in corporate right now and it's soul destroying. I'm quitting next year to do online school, travel, explore. I'm excited and terrified.

[@shalinicarnis]

I just quit my corporate job too for online studies, hoping all goes well but no regrets quitting my soul sucking job!

[@hankmoody5514]

@@shalinicarnis I'm happy for you! I left at the end of the year and I don't miss it at all! I will never ever go back to a corporate office environment. I will work remotely and that is it. My stress has dropped substantially. School is going along nicely, and I'm working on other projects this year.

[@thesoftlifeadventurer]

I just ended my job of 25 years. Looking forward to traveling. How's it going for you?

[@hankmoody5514]

@@thesoftlifeadventurer Hey! It's going really good so far. Leaving that soul destroying job was the best move. It took a while to decompress from that toxic horrible place, but now I'm good. I work remotely! I work a lot but I really like it! School is almost done! I start traveling next year! I pray things work out well for you, there is always a light at the end the tunnel!

[@BetterNeurodivergentTravel]

The last day of my corporate job is less than a month away. Can't wait!!! Got an update for us?

[@ajjames1498]

Truck Driver. 14th year. Wore out. Planning to take a year off very soon and regain my health/sanity.

[@indomitabledane609]

Become an electrician.

[@theresal.2848]

Good luck! Hope you find a well balanced job.

[@zzzzxxxx341]

It's worth it.🙏👍💪😎

[@thinhtawnle]

You got this!

[@KC-qr3wk]

Do it!

[@jameskim7266]

Hello fellow ex Amazonian! Five years late, but I feel like I can kinda resonate with this. I was with Amazon as well for 2 years and those two years was rough, especially working with a very toxic team in AWS. Instead of quitting, I actually got PIP'd and took the severance and haven't been working since March of 2024 and just took some time off instead of going back on the job hunt. Taking the nine months off really helped me clear my mind, figure out what I need and want to do for work and living, and also needed the time to grieve as I had to say my final good bye to my dog. Now, I'm back on the job hunt, prepping for interviews, and learning new skills to get into a new field while still being in tech, although I am a little worried about the job market and having a gap on my resume.

[@allforclout2040]

I’m doing it now, for physical and mental rest. Not having to listen to the bullshit, getting up super early, being worked like a dog! For years. Loving it atm

[@simplybiking]

Me too! I’ve had one job for 27 years, and have to put up with so much BS! Very happy to have been able to slow down for the last year.

[@anatofind2830]

Wow to both @madworld and @simplybiking how tough it was to let go? I am planning mine for 2023, because I have a financial goal I have to be at before I do it... but I confess am scared of letting go of a “secure” job of almost 10 years, with high I come and good benefits. But like you all, I have been in the going for 20+ years. I am exhausted

[@simplybiking]

@@anatofind2830 I get it! Believe me, I get it!! Stay strong! Just remember, it’s worth fighting for, and, you’ll get there! God bless

[@anatofind2830]

@@simplybiking thank you!!! 🙏🏻

[@larabraver]

@@anatofind2830 I just quit my doctor job and walked away from a high income at a sought-after location near my home. I’m already regaining my physical health and fitness back, resting and spending valuable time with my family. To do it, make sure your money situation is as right and tight as you can get it. Mine wasn’t exactly where I wanted but I was DONE with the crazy work life. There’s no perfect time or amount of money but plan carefully so that you have peace of mind when you leave. After simple-living for 15 yrs, I achieved financial independence at age 41/42. Best wishes!

[@shirleyduffer2081]

Glad I came across your video. I’m resigning after 20 years of teaching kindergarten. My mom passed away 6 months ago (in the middle of a pandemic) and her passing was a wake up call for me. Teaching in person was stressful already and doing it online made me lose sleep and anxious. I took a FMLA to focus on my grieving and healing and realized I don’t have to return to a job that wasn’t fulfilling for me.

[@cheneaprilsevilla1634]

I took twice of an adult gap year and I was able to figure out what I really wanted to do in life. It was a great reset for one's mind and body. I'm glad to know that a lot of people were also experiencing this.

[@jmobrawler]

Love your story. I like how you took some time out to figure out what you wanted to do. I quit Amazon after 6-7 years finally & I lived off my savings for 5 months and still havent quite figured out what I wanna do with my life but thats ok. I think it's important that you took that time off to explore more about yourself. I dont think it's encouraged enough. You dont know whats gonna happen but it's better than having those shackles on and feeling obligated to your mind-numbing 9 to 5. Thanks for sharing this because at times I doubt whether this journey of mine will work out or not and it's videos like this that encourage me to keep going and ensure me that Im doing whats right for me. It's scary, unpredictable, and exciting at the same time and overall totally worth the risk.

[@cmfsobl]

Fuck yeah girl. Never ever take time off high high school. I took my gap year June 2018 and was 29! left the agency world; quit with no plans and best decision I’ve ever made in my whole adult life with zero regrets. Learned A LOT about myself and what I’m willing to tolerate.

[@Blueberry20221]

I took a gap year and went back to uni for a master degree to pursue wat I really want

[@Blueberry20221]

@Millie master of banking and finance

[@shaunmc013]

See this is what I’m talking about. Great job..

[@jameshizon4861]

Thanks for this. I have been burnt out trying to land a data science role, yet I still don't have a position. I just think that I need time off to reset my mind, focus and regain motivation in my career field. What we forget in the midst of a hustle culture is the importance of reseting our minds as a way to hack into higher productivity.

[@jameshizon4861]

@@somethingelse1987 I got accepted into a Data Engineering bootcamp @Springboard. I basically switched my career trajectory.

[@nick_jacob]

@@jameshizon4861 Keep looking. It took me 20 interviews to end up landing a job at a University working on their website. I ended up hating it. Took me another 20 interviews to land a software developer position. As soon as they offered me the position, i quit my University job and took a week and a half off to relax. I'm on day 4 of relaxation and my mind i clear. Can't wait for what's next.

[@CAPS_AMERICA]

@life and code , hows it going now? im scared to leave my dev role because i might find that i wont fit in another dev role and be much more miserable

[@nick_jacob]

@@CAPS_AMERICA I was terrified to quit my job and move on. I felt like It was going to be the biggest mistake I could make. Leaving a cushy full time perm position for a contract to hire was just like dude, i don't know if I should do this. Plus, i have a baby on the way. But that kind of motivated me to take a leap of faith and just do it. My new job as a servicenow software dev is a lot harder than the University was, but the work load is smaller and there's no "deadlines" per say to any of the work yet. I've had 3 entry level positions in the last 5 years and this will be the last time I take entry level. I would suggest if you've been in a role for 2 or 3 years to only take mid to senior level roles from now on. You probably know enough to figure out most problems. Some of the negatives have been that I don't make enough money yet with these entry level positions. Having to continuously switch from one stack to another is not good either. You never get to master anything if you keep jumping around. You might be studying Angular or React for six months, then land a job in ServiceNow or Shoppify, and have to learn a whole new process. That part is always exhausting and my first week I always come home and crash. Not fitting in is a huge issue. I did not fit into the University role. I am conservative and the Uni was highly liberal. I think I had some of the most frustrating times there of any job i've ever had. What i'm doing now is figuring out what I want to master so that I can basically land any job in it at any time. Some of the most important aspects that i've noticed from every job is that you have to know how to work with AJAX and HTTP requests. Really understand callbacks, HTTP responses, how asynchronously doing things works. If you're good with that, then you'll be good in the next job you choose. But it sounds like you are afraid to take the leap because of other reasons like "not fitting it'. I really wouldn't worry about it. Most people just want to go to work, work with smart people, and go home. You'll always have that sense of "am I doing the wrong thing" until you make stop listening to your thoughts and just jump in. It's one of the hardest parts.

[@CAPS_AMERICA]

@@nick_jacob Thanks for that. I have this massive issue of 'Impostor Syndrome". I've stayed with this company for 14 years now even though I had many chances to leave before but I enjoyed it so much that I stuck with them. But now, being forced into the corner by a manager that I don't get along with, but I love the company and the pay, is pushing me to study stacks i've ignored for so many years, concentrating on APIs now and MERN stack and I'm giving myself 6 months until xmas to learn as much as i can, I'm a C# coder, but I feel like a newbie due to the lack of exposure with other stacks that my impostor syndrome is wrecking my thoughts and my health, my subconscious trying to talk me out of quitting this job now. And what worries me more is, I know I'll have to quit without a replacement role for sure (because I'm moving overseas and no sponsorship is possible), and the thought of job hunting, technical interviews and not fitting in with a new team, makes the most damage in my mindset at the moment, making me lose sleep almost everyday, my mind racing and waking me up at 1am by this anxiety. I need to overcome this and like you, make the leap of faith. Either I'll regret it or not, but I guess I could always find a stocking job in a supermarket to pay the bills.

[@StephaniePerry]

Tawn, I'm so glad you took time for yourself away from work, and I happy that it's leading you in a different, more fulfilling direction. 💗 I did the same thing when I was 41, and it was the BEST DECISION.

[@layla8647]

@stephanie Perry I follow you on your KZbin channel. I love your content on Housesitting. U r also very 😂. Currently I hate my job in a hospital. Mentally I quit every morning 😫! I am single and r able to just take off. But not sure where or how to start 🤷🏾‍♀️! I feel trapped ⛓😞! HELP!

[@marriejames01]

Hi Stephanie! I’ve been on your channel several times.

[@youtubemember5851]

I'm 41 & doing the same ❤

[@sarahphillips8884]

i quit my sales job fall of 2019, then got a part-time job at a nonprofit right before the pandemic. I am not rich in money anymore, but my mental health and happiness are better than they have ever been before!

[@geeked-outbasketball765]

Love this video -- after 18 years in corporate America, I left in March 2019 to take a gap year as well. Here I am, 2+ years later, and I haven't returned. In fact I decided to follow my dream of developing a mobile basketball sim game and I'm getting set to launch within the next couple months :) Hearing your story is great as I know I made the right decision, but I still have doubts every now and then, despite the fact that my quality of life is exponentially better now.

[@casadegaitan]

Why doubt then?

[@wendyzhoudesign]

I’m quitting my job next month, and taking a gap year for the first time in my life. I’m planning to slow travel (post-covid), work on my own business, read so many books, and just enjoy my life every single day. I’m so excited to explore myself more, without the constant hustle for career, money or status. I’m planning to do some freelance work for fun and to make my savings last longer. No idea where this will take me, but hopefully to a happier life and allowing me to find out how to live a blissful life. Thank you for sharing this😊

[@thinhtawnle]

I'm so excited for you!! This is going to definitely be a journey worthwhile. May you be filled with ease and happiness along the way

[@anatofind2830]

Man, how exciting. Planning one for 2023

[@Lostshmi]

Did you do it? How did it go?

[@wendyzhoudesign]

@@Lostshmi I did do it! It was amazing! I first spent a couple months recharing, reading all the books I felt like, and took care of my mental health. Then, I slow travelled/lived abroad in Berlin and Copenhagen for about a year. While abroad, I took a couple of freelance projects for fun and to get myself occupied (turns out I don't enjoy having 100% idle time, but enjoy creating things with others). 2 of my freelance projects turned out to long-term collaborations which now provides me full-time income from part-time remote work! I still feel like I'm living my dream life, so free and flexible, but I am working and earning more than I did before. And I have grown so much. Would recommend it so, so much!

i'm so glad you took the time for yourself !! I know as someone living in Europe, they do understand that work life balance, and took me a bit to get used to not feeling "guilty" about enjoying so much down time:) it's a beautiful thing for self discovery !!

[@richardwestwood8212]

Ça va bien ma petite gentille Américaine, tu as l'air d'être un petit oiseau de forêt, belle comme tout mon Dieu 🐦🐦🐦

[@travellingshoes5241]

Never heard a good thing about Amazon. Good for you.

[@onxiaftw]

except that Bezzos is filthy rich

[@Farah_TheSellerCoach]

Hey travellingshoes , care to elaborate? There is so much affiliate marketing around Amazon FBA , I have been selling for 12 years and new to KZbin .

[@travellingshoes5241]

@@Farah_TheSellerCoach Most people i have spoken to who've worked at Amazon have nothing good to say about that company. I have also never read a single piece of good news about them in the press either. They treat their staff like dirt and run their warehouses like concentration camps. I would never shop with them. They've even forced you to adopt their brand name as a surname! What evil will they think of next.

[@djctai9288]

bud, you really need to try one day delivery prime...it's freaking amazing

[@20-NYC]

@@travellingshoes5241 what about working for them in corporate setting?

[@TheRecoveringCreative]

I’m doing it right now! Worked for a corporation for 13years started in my mid twenties and left in time to turn 40. Boy do I feel the bad effects in my whole being. I’m working on recuperating and trying to be patient with it. Look forward to next phase of my life

[@anatofind2830]

We seem to be in similar places. Working for the same corporation almost 10 years. I am 44 and just ready to give my body, mind, and soul a break. Spend more time with my parents, who live away and see what the next chapter will bring

[@egyptianpharaoh3721]

How was the break ?

[@user77654]

Yea, I took a year off after I burnt out, it was the best year of my life in terms of finding myself and learning about what I want to prioritize in life. And to avoid burnouts in future, focus on myself.

[@maidieuhanh]

Hi Tawn! Thank you for sharing your story. It resonated with me. My dad passed away in Jan 2019 and I regret not taking a year off. I was broken at that time and was in a stressful corporate job. Now I am in a better place, taking sabbatical and working towards finding another opportunity.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I did work I hated for 9 years. It was torture. People sucked, management sucked, company sucked. I could have totally sued my company and won but I was too burned out to do it. I ended up forcing a raise from them instead. Luckily I invested enough to walk away and move to Europe. Back in the corporate world, but people are better, work-life balance is way better and because I have a good safety net established, I can quit at any time.

[@tessa7778]

Oh wow so kool

[@NBAbonelikler]

I came back here to rewatch. Strangely, I am going through the same challenges... my Job, my Father, and it is almost summer... And, I dont want to go back to toxic corporate life, that misarable work environment...

[@christophersmith8272]

I just came across your video, and I'm actually taking a gap year starting today!! I'm 40, and my executive job at my company has just over worked me to death. With the long hours and travel, I had enough.. Now I'm looking forward to playing catch up with my wife for the next few months, she's super excited.. Going to move from Memphis to Orlando, hopefully by summer, then enjoy the rest of the year off and look for employment starting January 2021. Thx for sharing and I have to say... Chúc Mừng Năm Mới✨🇻🇳 Wife is vietnamese too..😉

[@thinhtawnle]

Aww, I'm super happy to hear!!!

[@_w_w_]

I am curious to hear how you you did with your gap year and if you are back in the workforce. I have always been a workaholic and it sounds like we are in a similar situation. Because the pandemic stopped travel completely, I couldn't visit the teams I manage overseas and many things I am overseeing. The net result is I am literally working 16-hour days, to cover multiple timezones, for the entire duration of the pandemic. I am at a point of serious considering a break but wonder how that will look on the resume when I re-enter the workforce.

[@FaceTimewithHawa]

Yay Memphis in the building ❤️☝️

[@victon460]

@@thinhtawnle Just curious - how are things going for you now?

[@christophersmith8272]

@@davidvancouver2748 I moved to Orlando with what savings I had. Took about two more additional months off and began working again. Best decision of my life, couldn't be more happy!!

[@sli6422]

I took mine in April 2020, and then COVID hit and that gap year becomes two years...

[@DavidLigginsII]

Hey Tawn! Loved the video and I’m so happy that this gap year helped you find more clarity and direction. I really hope you continue to upload whatever it is you want to share. I 100% feel you on having no rush getting back into corporate. Once I stopped letting fear drive my decisions and finally take a leap of faith to invest in myself, I’ve been much happier. This road may not be easy, but it’s definitely fruitful and fulfilling. Hope you’re well and keep crushing it! 💪🏿

[@thinhtawnle]

Thank you, David! I definitely have no rush going back - that you are correct!

[@jordanbatka033]

Corporations are way too stressful! You almost need to completely neglect your own self to work under those circumstances. I feel bad for the people who are paycheck to paycheck and they have no option but to stay because you can tell it just eats them from the inside- out

[@linebeaudette4007]

I'm sold! I'm gonna do it! Calling it my grown up gap year, I cannot wait. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@richardwestwood8212]

Just take the plunge, it's all good 👍

[@priyasodha]

Thank you for sharing this. I am struggling with taking the leap! I know I can do it but it is hard to get away from a consistent paycheck!

[@thinhtawnle]

Hi Priya, you've got this! The consistency thing is definitely a real thing - just know that you have many gifts to share and you can do it.

[@HeyHollyYoo]

This is such a wonderful story you've shared - I've also lost my father in 2018 in November from cancer, and I was glad to have moved back home to be with him though he passed while I was out walking my dog; I hope you are healing ok from this loss, and your story really inspires me! Sending you best wishes, btw, Queens rules, I used to live in Flushing/Murray Hill and miss it :)

[@richardwestwood8212]

Hello Christine, hope you doing fine this lonely winter lockdown and all

[@Jess-gs2pw]

I'm also taking an adult gap year. I'll be doing a United Nations volunteership in Bangkok, Thailand. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks so much for your insight and inspiration.

[@JAZJ]

It is good to hear and to see you are one the few who have taken the leap to seek and to find a sense of peace in your life. Good for you. I did the same thing several years ago. I was working at a online university and decided to pursue self-employment which I did for a few more years. Thereafter, I faced many challenges and found myself stuck in "no man's land" for a period of time. These days, I find myself again not wanting to return to the "corporate toxic office" environment, and just sticking to freelance work. It is very satisfying to work without the employer set hours, the "9-5" thing. I like freedom as oppose to security. Sending you many well-wishes, Tawn Le. You are beautiful :)

[@PeterPaulMasigan]

I took a break from my teaching job as well. I loved my job. Just wanted to see what else was out there. :) Thanks for this.

[@shazmadatoo9356]

Hey Tawn, loved this video thank you for sharing! Two months back I was under a situation as to wether I should quit my corporate job due to long hours and major stress I worked their for 7 years but eventually I quit that job just to end up in another corporate job where I worked for a month with no any kind of relieve on my mental health. Hence I decided to quit that job too and take a year gap and I felt happy to come across your video which made me realize that it’s normal taking adult gap.

[@phylliswillis1298]

This spoke to my SOUL! Thank you so much! I will be planning for my Adult Gap Year

[@Carl0347]

Im glad I came across this. I’m a yr and half in and was wondering if I did the right thing. My mom passed away last february. The career gap and he passing made me realize I want a different direction in life. Im glad I’m not the only one. Thank you! So much! For sharing!

[@GriefHC]

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Tawn. I day-dreaming about waking up and not being a part of the corporate grind.

[@KevinEMcCord2282]

I admire your courage in quitting your job!. I never have the guts..Actually I keep thinking to quit my job..but I'm so scared..

[@boatdoctors]

Me too

[@vincentnnyc]

I sorta have a gap year since last year due to the work from home situation. I do IT support for a financial company and also trade the stock market part time myself. I like my current job because my boss is chill and I like my work colleague. But I needed to exercise and get out more. I have always enjoy bike riding. So I started to do food delivering with door dash/ubereat on my bike for part time. I really enjoy doing manual labor work than mental work. More satisfying. I get to set my schedule and work whenever I feel like it. I’m too Chinese/Vietnamese and live in nyc. I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavor.

[@moniquelatise3173]

July 2022 I stepped out on faith and left my job of 27 years to pursue my side hustle which is stand up comedy, my best decision ever.

[@sunshineysideoflife]

Congrats! I am happy for you.

[@thefungiblemillennial-fina2207]

I did the same. Got over my biotech job. It was hard because I had a hard PhD and thought I should keep doing it. But it should about you and how to make yourself happy! Hope you are happy 😊

[@richardwestwood8212]

Hello there, I hope that you are doing well, happy, and enjoying your life 🌹

[@laupeter4594]

Glad you did it. I also switched careers and I was lucky to get a scholarship to do so

[@girlfriendsguidetofinance8874]

Thank you thank you thank you.. I have been thinking about this for so long. I am so burnt out and mentally unhealthy in my job to the point where every week feels like a huge challenge but making the move is tough because of the unknown. Thank you again

[@afonsoalmeida7409]

Thank you for sharing this! I can see that like myself, a lot of people in the comments are also considering/about to go into their mid career breaks, and it's great to hear about your experience.

[@mirageleung]

Thanks Tawn, it's refreshing to hear somebody in the same position. Currently, in the process of finding a job again, good luck on your journey!!

[@CAPS_AMERICA]

@2:55, I had to re watched this over and over and make it stick in my head, because I've started hating my job now due to the mentality that I would want to leave at the end of this year, when it fact I've enjoyed working for this company, so i'm just trying to get rid of frustration so I can enjoy my next role (if I can find a job again, that is)

[@파란구름1414]

I am taking a one year break from work for the first time after working and studying sooo hard for the last 30 years. I am still figuring out what I want to do and glad that I decided to let myself to take a break. Definitely agree on that it is important to realign myself after every 3 or 4 years.

[@neutralmultiverse8589]

This is so encouraging. I haven’t worked full time since the pandemic started. I have worked in fashion for more than 17 years and although I do like the work (I design prints for womenswear) I always felt like something was missing and I had more to offer. So I decided to take 2022 to study interior design so I can make a career change. I’m really excited, but there is a nagging voice that says I’m wasting time and money (dipping into savings to do this), but this video makes me feel a lot better. I just know that if I went back to work without getting clearer about what I wanted to do I would just be miserable again. A good thing is that I can blend my background in textiles and cad with interior design and 3D modeling. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@dadayweird]

Came across your channel on my feed! I can relate to your struggle! It's been more than 2 years now, I also took a break from my corporate job. It's hard to let go of a secure job and financial stability. But sometimes, we get to a point that we have to do what we need to do, to take care of ourselves. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! New subscriber here!

[@PoorDonGlen]

I’m in Queens! Elmhurst. Quit my job 2 weeks ago to focus on life, family, and mastery of self employment.

[@phuctran4679]

Wish you fortunate future ahead. You are brave and it is true that intuition makes our life more meaningful!

[@MalluStyleMultiMedia]

Excellent video.. I’ve been working since I was 15..in my early 30s, I took almost two years off from work .. it was the best experience ever.. I spent time with my mom back home in India .. I ate all of my favorite foods and just relaxed

[@MalluStyleMultiMedia]

@Linda oh wow .. nice .. what areas did you visit ?

[@mileswestmoreland5515]

ive been off work for a year and i ran out of money a long time ago and im doordashing now. Kind of lost myself in the process but im discovering a smarter and wiser version of myself. Its been hard finding the drive to find a job again, but I'm trying to be optimistic!

[@JoeAhmadGuitar]

Laid off right during the holidays 2022. I think it’s time for me to do the same. Gap year . I’ve been in IT for 6 years and wasn’t ever feeling fulfilled professionally.

[@LifeWithYen]

This is what I’m doing right now. Was a nurse for 4 years, it wasn’t for me. I learned and grew a lot but it was a forced path, not a path I was meant to be in. Trying to figure myself out right now. I’m self teaching myself web development. We’ll see where life takes me

[@issecret1]

​@@LifeWithYen I'm thinking of doing it the other way around right now

[@stevennopey5069]

I just lost my Dad so when you said that as well, just got me with an arrow. Sorry for your loss. Wish you all the best and happiness. Thank you for making an inspirational vid. Im trying to jump the work train .. its hard. Inspiration helps

[@anatofind2830]

Yeah planning one myself but you are right. It’s really hard

[@torianjallen]

Oh wow... I’m so sorry for your loss, and I wish your family well.

[@mariancounsellor]

It would have been nice to hear how you did it financially and how you negotiated taking a year off with your employer.

[@iloveshimin]

My dad passed away abt 1.5 yrs ago. I have dragged myself to work every day to a corporate job since. Mentally has been straining. I never had the courage to take a gap year even though I'm financially sound.

[@blackluxury5585]

Please do it for those of us who are dealing with grief and their own mental health but can’t afford it. My brother passed away back in March just a few weeks after I started this new job I’m working now. It’s hard almost every day even when working remotely

[@johnlam4470]

Sorry to say you are fortunate, I’m glad you can do this, the middle class families with kids and most bread winners of the household will never have the chance to do what you doing. Ultimately the goal is to find a career (not job) that you are passionate about. I always say money will come when you love what you are doing in most cases. At the EOD no matter how difficult I need to put a roof and food on the table for the family.

[@jnnnsr1890]

If she's fortunate, she can do this because she doesn't have kids, Would you then be unfortunate because you have them ? is it not common knowledge that parenthood comes with the obligation to provide for your children even if you would rather be doing smth else ? I mean, this is why many people don't have kids because they know that if they do, they'd lose the freedom to make huge life changing decisions like career breaks . This woman is not fortunate or anything. She just made the decision not to have children and is enjoying the benefits of her decisions. Also , not everything in life is accessible to everybody in general.

[@omarqasirov8754]

Im about to take an adult gap part year. I'm very lucky to have saved enough for a few months off but can't afford to take off a full year. Definitely hoping to make the best use of this time not in the corporate/tech world

[@dudoklasovity2093]

yes you are definitely right…Europeans do know how to take a break. I had lived there and I highly recommend- If you can go experience it and see that life can be lived totally differently. It really is an eye-opening experience!👍

[@MichelleTafazoli]

I am so happy I stumbled across your video! So happy for you. Made me feel better about taking my own gap year (amazon/whole foods corporate!) - wished I had seen it sooner!

[@noseefood1943]

I quit Amazon after 5 yrs of stress and misery downsized and got a part time job more time and happier with better mental health

[@bellajaeminyou303]

Thank you for sharing your story. this gives me so much courage not to give up. it is very tough for me to live in US as a immigrant but, after I watch this video I let go of the burden of doing something right away. I will not give up whereas keep trying to learn! have a wonderful day and again, thank you for sharing your positive energy

[@NCardude]

You're a beautiful soul, Tawn Le! Your story inspired me because I really want to take some time away to figure me out and what would make me happy. Thank you for sharing!

[@mekaeddie]

Wow! This is the video i needed to see. If you only knew how much I related to this! 😭 about to go listen to the podcast and read your blog! Thank youuuuuu

[@kevinzou6436]

Hey Tawn, Sorry for your lost. I’m planning to take a mid career gap year in late May. Coincidentally I’m also working for Amazon and have been here for 4 years. Looking forward to it!

[@quintinrobinson89]

Wow I’m happy to hear your story. I took a year off to after my dad passed. Best decision ever.

[@Mr3lusion]

Funny, I was looking for these kinds of videos, and I also happen to have worked at Amazon 😂

[@sahkuria]

Lollll Amazon

[@stacywu1095]

Tawn, thanks for sharing your story! I've taken a path similar to yours, and I'm also from Queens, NY! I know it's not easy, but this risk is well worth it. Keep it up!

[@DrJustininJapan]

Really great video!! Sorry to hear about your father but your strength is really apparent in your video. Thank you for sharing something so personal!

[@captaincrunch5507]

I like that you’re not afraid of taking a risk.

[@WindCutter93]

I finished my final exams at the end of June 2014, before I turned 21. And I managed to find a full time professional job and started immediately on July 1st, 2014. Then I found out my partner in my first relationship was cheating on me when I was having my final exams, that was my 21st birthday “gift”. Fast forward to almost 10 years later, I’ve been with my 3rd company now in a different country and I never ever get to take any breaks between jobs or even moving from Southeast Asia to the US. I’ve been thinking a lot lately and I think I might take a career break soon before I get back to the workforce. I feel like maybe it’s time I finally give myself a break to breathe cause I’ve always been prioritizing people that matter to me for a really long time.

[@thinhtawnle]

Aww, thank you for sharing that. Sometimes that break can really put things into perspective. Wishing you the best.

[@JoeDoe1]

I’m approaching my exodus differently. I was prepared to leave my two decades plus career a year ago, then the pandemic hit. My plan is now refined, I’m socking away extra money and work on my severance package (amassing vacation time). I was always apprehensive about betting on myself. I’m in my mid-forties and it’s now or never. Everything else is good but it was always fear that held me back. A number of personal achievements and work related toxic events contributed to minimizing the fear. Thank you for sharing Tawn Le.

[@vincem2759]

I plan on doing this in the next two years, debts are paid off now. But a year goes by fast.

[@anatofind2830]

Same here Vince. 2023. No debt, saving 2 years worth of income (1 for the gap and a another to give me time to get another job). Healthy savings... still hard decision to make. I have a great job, but feel completely burned out

[@magcitrate]

Wishing you a fantastical life. I’ll never go back to my old career. I like my time & freedom.

[@readyfortheworld9232]

So true !

[@ashleyhockenberry2187]

Good for you. Managing your own career is the best thing you can do.

[@scotthaefele6585]

I’m thinking about doing this myself! Did you have to fight “being lazy” at all while you weren’t working? I’m not the lazy type per se, but when I’m a stress ball from work I long for the couch and mindless tv. My fear is that I become a bum. I know my wife will read this and agree with that fear 😨.

[@stephenmooney1509]

Resigned today. It has been a long process to get the debt down and give myself this window.

[@shayneshinkai1772]

Good for you. Life is for living. Best of luck, God bless.

[@Mrdaci1985]

Will be completing my gap year by Nov this year. Funny thing is I miss the corporate life. I am doing good with my chosen life right now, having my own business and more family time. I have been to 4 corporate companies in 14 years total, had the best and worst employee life there, but somehow, I miss the nitty gritty nature of it, deadlines and presentations. Maybe because I was in the sales and marketing dept that's why I love challenges. But damn I felt one several times as well the drainage, fatigue, stress it brought me.

[@Mspbrwn77]

I’ve been going through so much recently and was considering taking another leave of absence. I left my previous job for a job that I get anxiety coming into. I have to figure out how much I have to save to make sure my daughter and I are going to be ok. Car accident, depression, loss of wages and constant tear down at work. My break downs have become more frequent and I’m ready to take a hard break

[@thewanderingpanda2290]

I stumbled upon this video and realized it's gonna be a year since i left my corporate job due to toxicity. It just became too stressful and affected my mental health. I tried and still trying out different things. I don't know where this would lead me, though. 😔

[@lorandcherry]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I don’t know if it’s okay to quit my job, I didn’t even reach a year working in that company :( but I don’t feel fully happy and that pay is good, I’m afraid I can’t reach that economy again if I go :(

[@hannguyenusa]

Glad to hear that you're much happier after you left.

[@streamsource3462]

I just quit my healthcare job. The work is stressful but the pay is not enough. Too much work but the pay doesn't reflect it. Also, the management at my work is bad and the manager always uses me as the youngest and least experienced member of the team as her emotional punching bag, whenever she would have a bad day she would always nitpick anything that I do or have a sudden outburst on me. It was mentally stressful, it was so bad that I had physical reactions to the stress and had bad anxiety working there.

[@sashanicole555]

What healthcare position?

[@saturnteatree]

I took a gap year that turned into 2 ran outta money so i went back to school for the check then went back to work under a different position now i work from home and i decide each day which hotel lobby i wanna go to to work at everyday lol

[@joananguyen3942]

thank you ! really inspiring and helping ! thank you so much for explaining and sharing !

[@simplybiking]

Wow! You saved up enough for a year off! My residence alone, would be 24K! I have two children, therefore I have almost no savings. Apparently Amazon pays very well. Enjoyed your video, glad you were able to swing the gap year for yourself

[@LadyF71]

I have never taken more than a week off since the age of 14. I am 50 y/o now. Not sure how I feel about this but it is an interesting perspective.

[@ToulouseFan]

You’re a different breed. Perfect for capitalism 😂

[@jon7079]

Good for you! Take the rest and calibrate. I took 4 years off haha, well I started working on something else.

[@moneytalkswithjonathanthom4150]

Sorry for your loss..glad you had option to step away

[@brightibezim1486]

Nice video @Tawn Le. Gap year is really a very good idea.

[@theinsoo9198]

nowadays i really want to quit my corporate job and i "was" thinking of giving 24hrs notice (but need to pay for it) ... i feel really burn out and i don't give any value added to my current positon ... Thank you for a great video and story from you ❤️ ...

[@Cikanyoro]

Wish I could quit and take a gap year. Bt jobs are so hard to get here in my country Kenya. Am afraid a gap year might turn out to be a longtime.

[@Nothinlefttoloze]

Lmao I work at Amazon as a Regional Manager 😭😂 I’m out in a year!!

[@readyfortheworld9232]

It is Hell on Earth !

[@jesussaves8386]

Great video, very concrete and to the point. Thank you!

[@norwegianblue2017]

Sounds great, but how many people can even come close to being able to afford to take a year off? I haven't taken more than 2 weeks off at one time in the last 23 years.

[@HomemadeAC]

Excellent video Yawn amen. A sabbatical can be an awesome way to recharge and realign for sure. I used to take 1-3 months off each year but haven't been able to do that in two years. And I can definitely feel the calling, the longing and the stress amen. My girlfriend is Filipina and happiness is definitely a cultural part of life for her. Thanks for sharing. I'll follow your status! James, Rescue Kitty😺 & Snowvan!

[@shefalisharma0592]

I really want to take a gap year. Give myself a break mentally from all the hard work, long hours and anxious lifestyle. How did you guys work out the finances?

[@JJ-rp2df]

Kudos for recognising what really matters most in life