WHY LEAVING MY 9-5 JOB WAS THE BEST DECISION FOR PEACE AND SUCCESS

Happy Job Happy Life - 
Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com

The city is finally buzzing with life again. As the new year’s holiday ends, streets hum with activity—cars zipping by and people hurriedly rushing to their daily grind. 

And here I am, sitting on the porch, enjoying my slow morning and letting my thoughts drift.  Slowly, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the life I’ve chosen. Forever I will always be grateful to have been guided to leave my 9-5 job. Since that day, my life has tremendously changed and it gets better every day. 

After raining the whole day yesterday, nature granted us with wonders today. The gentle chirping of birds filled the crisp morning air. Flocks of birds gracefully take to the sky, the vibrant orange hues of dawn dissolving into soft blues as the day unfolded. 

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‘What a peaceful morning,’ I thought to myself. A gentle breeze played on my face, and I felt an overwhelming privilege—not of wealth or material abundance, but of peace, freedom, and the luxury to savor life’s simplest joys on a slow morning.

I guess a slow morning is really a chance to pause, to notice the little things often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Like today, this stillness of a slow morning allowed me to appreciate these moments deeply, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, the way the sunlight painted patterns on the ground, and the way the air felt lighter against my skin. 

I wonder… how could such moments be free, yet often overlooked? Could it be because we define wealth and luxury differently? Or perhaps, is it because they’re freely available that their value is underestimated? This thought lingered with me, making me realize just how transformative my journey has been since leaving the confines of a 9-5 job.

A few years ago, my mornings were drastically different—rushed and mechanical, dictated by an alarm clock and a rigid schedule. I often found myself yearning for more. Not more money, not more possessions, but more meaning, more presence, and more freedom. 

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After months of deliberation, I made the life-altering decision to step away from corporate life. That decision, while daunting at the time, has turned out to be the best one I’ve ever made. 

Every single day since the moment I walked away from that job, I have felt so grateful for the freedom and peace it brought me. It’s a feeling that continues to reaffirm my choice and reminds me of the value of following my heart.

Well, I have to admit, I used to believe what society taught us—to work for others in a big company as the ultimate way of making money. But the reality? We can still earn a living without working a corporate job, and often, we can be just as well-paid, if not more so. 

Stepping away from that traditional path really opened my eyes to the myriad possibilities outside the corporate world. It challenged me to think differently about work, value, and success.

If you’re reading this, maybe you’re curious, maybe you’re skeptical, or maybe you’re in that in-between space—unsure of the next step. Let me share this: choosing an unconventional path doesn’t make life instantly easier, but it makes it profoundly richer. In leaving behind the corporate safety net, I’ve gained independence, clarity, and purpose.

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What changed for me? For starters, my relationship with time. I’m no longer chained to a schedule I didn’t design. I’ve learned to manage my own hours and set my own price, building a livelihood on my terms. Also, I get to better understand my own values and priorities. 

Beyond those practical benefits, leaving my corporate job also means leaving the unhealthy environment. The weight of stress and expectations has been replaced with a lightness I never imagined before. What’s more is how I get the opportunity to pick the people I collaborate with who are in line with my values, fostering healthy, productive relationships.This autonomy has gifted me with peace of mind, an environment where I can thrive. 

And then, there’s the bonus: rediscovering passions I thought I’d lost. From nurturing my creativity to spending more time with loved ones, this freedom has brought unimaginable joy into my life. 

But the most profound change has been in my spirituality. My relationship with God is at its best. I find myself turning inward, praying, and reflecting with a clarity that wasn’t there before. Trusting in God’s plan and depending on His guidance has filled my life with a profound sense of peace and purpose. I’ve also come to realize that when you depend solely on God and your own resourcefulness, life opens doors you didn’t know existed.

I know not everyone can or wants to leave their traditional job. And that’s okay. What’s important is finding a balance, carving out moments of gratitude and presence no matter where you are. Whether it’s ten minutes to watch the sunrise, an evening walk in the park, or journaling about your day, these small acts can remind you of life’s inherent beauty.

So, as this new year begins, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: what does luxury mean to you? Is it found in possessions or paychecks? Or is it hiding in plain sight, in the chirp of birds, a clear blue sky, or the touch of a breeze on a slow morning?

The luxury of life is all around us, waiting to be noticed. Whether you’re embracing it today or working toward a life that allows you to, remember that the journey is as beautiful as the destination. Let’s make this year one of gratitude, courage, and meaningful choices.