Breaking Free: How Leaving My Job Brought Me Back to Life
From the Mountains to the Boardroom—and the Courage to Walk Away
My corporate career was everything I thought I was supposed to want— stability, security, a steady paycheck, and the kind of opportunities my immigrant parents could never have imagined of from their rural, mountainous villages in the former Yugoslavia.
The moment I allowed myself to consider leaving my job for something more, I could hear the voices trying to pull me back...
“What are people going to think?” “Are you sure you’ve done everything you could?” “Maybe just stick it out a little longer.” “Maybe you just need another break?”
I knew these voices had good intentions. They wanted to protect me. They wanted me to feel safe.
But I wasn’t safe.
And what I was feeling wasn’t normal. Because I know me.
So, How Does It Feel Now?
It feels AMAZING. It feels like I’m living again.
No more 10-hour Zoom marathons.
No more commuting down I-94 just to sit in traffic for more Zoom calls.
No more updating the same PowerPoint for the 1,394th times.
Do you remember some good times like these?
That time in the 90’s when music was at its all-time high and albums dropped weekly at your local record shop? You'd leave school early to buy the latest album and listened to it all night long with your friends, from Side A to B? It feels like that.
When you got your driver’s license and drove alone for the first time— windows rolled down and your favorite song blaring from the speakers? It feels like that.
That moment you walked on stage for the first time— butterflies in your stomach and the panic of fainting or blacking out rushing through your head? But, you didn't— You survived and nailed it! It feels like that— Damn Good!
I won’t say that I’d never go back to corporate—there’s real value in working for leaders and companies that truly put people first. I’ve worked for them before. But for now, I’m taking it one day at a time, enjoying my time with family and friends. And I can honestly say, life is good and worth living again—and that feels pretty damn good too!
So, If You’re Hearing The Same Voices…
Please know: Life gets better when you choose yourself first—Like, really choose yourself.
Don’t 'just' stay an extra 30 minutes—it turns into an hour (or more) and your family is waiting for you.
Don’t drive into work with a runny nose and cough to prove your commitment—your boss and colleagues are more worried about catching what you have than admiring your dedication.
Don’t choose an early morning business review over dropping your kids off at school—the drop-offs won’t last forever, and you’ll miss the soundtrack of their favorite songs in the school parking lots.
Don’t trade a family dinner for a supplier meeting—you’ll leave both hungry for connection and food (and you will probably have a late-night snack because the trendy small-plates place charged $80 for a piece of fish for four people to share).
Don’t eat lunch at your desk— Seriously, stop! Go outside, breathe the fresh air, and touch the grass!
Don’t work weekends just because your boss wants to ‘strategize.’ There is no secret strategy or magic plan—they’re just worried about their own job security.
Life is about choices.
Red pill or blue pill?
Coke or Pepsi?
Michael or Kobe?
Because at the end of the day, success means nothing if you can’t live and enjoy life.
So, choose you. Yes, it’s scary. And, yes, you’ll still hear the voices.
But freedom? Joy? Life?
It's worth it.
You’re worth it.
Have you ever made a big leap for your own well-being? I’d love to hear your story, let’s connect: goldiepeterson.com/appointments
