In 2004, while soaking up the sun in Ko Samui, Thailand, I made a bold declaration to my friend Scott. "I’m going to quit my job when we get back," I said. He was skeptical, but I was serious. I was inspired by the freedom of the travelers I’d met in Chiang Mai, and I wanted to be part of their world, a world without 401(k)s, bosses, or scheduled vacations.
While still in Thailand, I bought a Lonely Planet guide to Southeast Asia, even though I had no concrete plans. Buying that guide was my commitment to travel. It was a symbol of my journey and a tool to help me navigate the unknown. I devoured every page of the guide on my flight home, planning routes and highlighting destinations.
Back home, I was overwhelmed with questions. How would I finance this trip? When could I leave? What about my MBA? The internet wasn’t as resourceful back then, and planning a trip was a daunting task. But the biggest challenge was telling people about my decision.
My parents were worried, as parents often are. They tried to talk me out of it, but I was determined. I remember the conversation with my boss vividly. He was a mentor to me, and I felt I owed him an explanation. I told him about my desire to travel, my new friends, and my decision to leave healthcare.
He was disappointed and tried to convince me to stay, seeing a future for me in healthcare. But I was firm in my decision. I promised to stay until July, finish my MBA, and then embark on my journey. He reluctantly agreed and promised to start looking for my replacement.
That day, I didn’t just quit my job; I quit my life. I quit the American Dream. I was only 22, working long hours, planning for retirement, and mapping out the next 40 years of my life. But a trip to Thailand made me realize that I was unhappy. I was living to work, not working to live.
I left the office that day, leaving behind a life I never really liked. I thought I was just quitting a job, but I was actually quitting a lifestyle. I quit the American Dream and found my own. And I’ve never looked back. So much for the saying, "quitting is for losers."
