You Quit your Job Without a Backup Plan? Was It a Burnout Or Rust Out? 

Imagine being in your late 20s and having the guts to finally say, “It’s over!” to your job.

Hi! That’s me. Now I am a woman contemplating all my decisions and what could have been if I didn’t waste my time in that demeaning job. All for what? Money? Yes. But also, for a chance to make it in the fashion industry. I very much needed it. I always berate myself for every move I have made and continue to make. Every day for a year and a half, I have asked myself questions I knew the answers to but was too dubious to act on them. Did I go to college for THIS? How will this add value to my resume? How will I make it financially? I knew very early on what I did not want to do but what is it that I want to do now that I have the time? Do I really have time? I haven’t thought this through and I’m anxious just thinking about it. Sounds familiar?

I’m here to tell you all about it. But first things first. What is the difference between a burnout and rust out? Let’s find out.

Burnout is when you work to a point where you forget you have a life outside of work. Sometimes it’s the money that drives you. Sometimes it’s the experience you are after. For me, I was new, I wanted to learn everything, explore every department in the industry. I wanted to build good connections and most importantly, I wanted to appear so enthusiastic and responsible that I couldn’t say no. Chances for a burnout could also be that your workplace is understaffed and you are required to work multiple roles alone. I remember the time I got hired. My first question was, “What will my designation be at this firm?” To which I was told, “You don’t have any. You will be required to do X,Y,Z.” All were unrelated and it sounded like a three person job but I took it anyway because that’s how desperate I was to get back to work after the pandemic. You know what I’m talking about, right?

On the other hand, rust out is like being in a slump. When you are just uninspired and the job feels unfulfilling in every aspect. You are neither upskilling as an individual nor as a team. It’s the same mundane routine and you feel like you would give anything to not be in this situation. It’s possible that I have experienced them both subsequently. Haven’t we all though? I am just grateful to have the chance to take a little break now and explore my career path. Where at my age, my sisters were busy putting food on the table no matter what.

I’ve been told a bunch of things by my colleagues, friends and family that make sense. I’d be lying if I said I never had those thoughts myself. I’ll just list them out, they are in no way a solution to anything. This is more like blind leading the blind. Something we can laugh about later.

Don’t quit without another job lined up.

This has to be the most common one I’ve heard from almost everyone I know. You will feel great for the first few weeks but eventually it will hit you that you aren’t going anywhere. It will start getting frustrating. It’s true and you should have a backup before you quit your job. But only if you want to continue doing what you were doing. Keep applying till you get a better deal out of it. If not, what is it that you really want to do now? Write that down and work towards it.

What about the money? How will you pay for stuff now?

Well, there’s freelance work. Pick a niche. You can always connect with people and pitch ideas, depending on the kind of service you will be providing them with. It’s a great side hustle and if you’re looking on how to start then social media is full of them. Do your research.

It’s okay, take this time to figure out what you want.

I am so grateful to know a few and just the right people. Binge watch the show/movie you weren’t able to before. Read the book that’s been sitting in your bag for a while now because you thought you’d get the space and time on your commute but didn’t. Take this time to explore hobbies and yourself. Pick up your life from where you left (like you would pick up a friend for a drive), one day at a time and take life on a ride for a change. It’s possible to feel guilty from time to time but don’t let it overpower you. You needed a break anyway. You know it. But remember to not settle with this feeling, rather start over. It’s always easier said than done but you should try.

Take up a course, upskill yourself.

I say the best way to upskill is by practicing and being open to learning new techniques. In the real world, smart work is appreciated more than the hard work. Always. Which is why I feel people with industrial experience have more knowledge than the ones who take up course after course and have nowhere to incorporate that knowledge. Indulge in an internship before you sign up for a course. Trust me, you’ll learn more.

Go out and connect with people offline.

One of my freelance clients, who has worked for more than ten years at a bank and later quit to become an entrepreneur, said this to me as an instance: “If you want to be an entrepreneur, you will never be able to start by interacting with people with jobs. Chances are they will never think beyond their job. You cannot be motivated by them. So take some time off, go out, engage with like-minded people, and watch the difference it makes for you.” I haven’t tried this one, but it does sound promising. What do you think?