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After over a decade of working in the corporate accounting world, I find myself in a familiar place—laid off. Yet, this time feels different. It’s not the first time I’ve faced this situation; in fact, nearly every position I’ve held over the years has ended with a layoff, despite my loyalty, hard work, and dedication. I’ve spent countless hours working well beyond the typical 8-hour shift, often sacrificing my personal time to meet deadlines and ensure the company’s financial health. But now, as I reflect on my journey, I realize something important: I’m tired of working for someone else’s dream.
The truth is, it wasn’t always like this. When I first started my career in accounting, I was excited. I wanted to prove myself, climb the corporate ladder, and make an impact. Over the years, I worked with incredible teams, learned from experienced professionals, and developed my skills in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first walked into the office. But somewhere along the way, something shifted. I began to question the value of my work, not just in terms of money or promotion but in terms of fulfillment.
The Corporate Grind
In the corporate world, especially in accounting, the hours can be long and demanding. When you’re managing budgets, overseeing financial statements, coordinating audits, or dealing with tight deadlines, it’s not uncommon to find yourself working nights and weekends. This can be exhausting, especially when you’re in a role where the rewards don’t always align with the effort.
Over the years, I’ve found myself putting in 12-hour days, weekends spent catching up on reports, and constant stress trying to meet the expectations of the company. While there were moments of pride, such as successfully managing complex financial projects or implementing processes that saved the company money, the joy of these accomplishments was often fleeting.
The truth is, corporate environments can sometimes feel like a treadmill. The more you do, the more is expected of you. And despite all your hard work, at some point, it often feels like you’re just a cog in a machine that’s always moving forward—never stopping, never pausing to appreciate the people who help make it run.
The Cycle of Layoffs
Another consistent pattern throughout my career has been layoffs. No matter how loyal or dedicated I was, no matter how many extra hours I worked, it always seemed like the end result was the same. Each time, I would try to focus on the silver lining—the opportunity to move forward, to find new challenges, to reinvent myself.
But the more I experienced layoffs, the more I began to question the corporate structure and my place within it. While companies claim to value employees, many of them are quick to downsize, eliminate positions, or restructure without regard for the loyalty and commitment of the people who have helped build their success. And for me, that became increasingly difficult to accept.
There’s a certain emotional toll that comes with the uncertainty of a layoff. It feels like a personal rejection, even though it’s often a business decision. And after multiple rounds of layoffs, it becomes harder to stay optimistic, even when you know logically that it’s just part of the business world. It’s hard to feel like you’re building something meaningful when the ground beneath you is constantly shifting.
The Decision to Take a Step Back
After the most recent layoff, I found myself at a crossroads. For the first time in my career, I seriously questioned whether I wanted to continue down this path. Yes, I have skills and experience that are valuable in the accounting world, but did I want to keep investing my time and energy into someone else’s dream? Did I want to keep sacrificing my personal life for a paycheck that wasn’t truly fulfilling?
And the answer was no. I realized that my own dreams had been put on hold for far too long. It was time to take a step back, reevaluate my priorities, and pursue something that truly excites me—something that aligns with my passions and personal values.
So, I’ve decided to take time off. I don’t have a set timeline, and that’s part of the beauty of it. For the first time in years, I’m allowing myself the space to breathe, reflect, and listen to my own inner voice. This isn’t just a break from the corporate grind; it’s a chance to rediscover what truly makes me feel alive.
Pursuing My Passion
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for educating people about personal finance and how you shouldn’t rely on one income stream. Over the years, this passion has been pushed to the side, buried under spreadsheets, financial reports, and the ever-looming pressure to perform. But now, I’m ready to bring it to the forefront.
Taking time off isn’t about giving up on my skills or abandoning my career altogether; it’s about shifting my focus. It’s about finding a way to blend the skills I’ve honed in accounting with my passions and using those to create something meaningful. Whether that’s starting a new business, pursuing a career in a completely different field, or simply dedicating more time to personal projects, I’m excited for the future.
I don’t know exactly what the next chapter will look like, and that uncertainty is both thrilling and a bit terrifying. But I’m no longer afraid of the unknown. In fact, I’m embracing it. After years of working tirelessly to help someone else’s business grow, it’s time to channel that energy into something that’s mine—something that brings me fulfillment, joy, and a sense of purpose.
Why It’s Okay to Step Away
In a world that often glorifies work and productivity, taking a step back can feel like a radical act. There’s a sense of guilt that often comes with taking time off, especially if you’ve been conditioned to believe that your worth is tied to how much you work. But I’ve come to realize that this narrative doesn’t serve me anymore.
Work doesn’t define me. My worth doesn’t come from the number of hours I put in or the titles I hold. It comes from the person I am, the choices I make, and the way I live my life. And right now, that means giving myself permission to rest, reflect, and redirect my energy toward something that excites me.
This decision is not a rejection of the skills or experiences I’ve gained in my accounting career. Instead, it’s a recognition that I’ve outgrown that phase of my life. I’ve learned a lot, but it’s time to move forward and create a new path.
Final Thoughts
After 10+ years in the corporate accounting world, I’ve come to a powerful realization: I am not beholden to a job or company that doesn’t value my well-being and growth. I am worthy of pursuing a life that brings me joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. By stepping away from the grind, I am choosing to invest in myself, my passions, and my future.
It’s scary, yes. But it’s also incredibly freeing. And while the future is uncertain, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Because, in the end, it’s not about working for someone else’s dream. It’s about building your own. And I’m ready to start doing just that.
