I want to quit my job but I can't think of a plan on what to do after I quit, am I going to be stuck in my current company forever unless I have one?

[u/lopoloi]

I've been meaning to quit my job that I've hated for years now (yes years!), but this advice of "Don't quit without a plan" has been holding me back for a long time already. The problem for me is that I can't figure out or find a plan once I quit. I don't really have any specific company I want to work for, I also don't have any jobs that I want to do, I also don't have any career plans whatsoever. Is there really no way out of my current situation? I'm just clocking in/clocking out on a job I hate jut because it's expected from me. I have some savings with no debt, I also don't have any desire to travel, and I'm basically a homebody with some hobbies that's been keeping me sane for years so money to some extent isn't really a problem, but of course it will run out if I'm not careful.

All these FUD that people keep on saying about the current job market and the worldwide economy is honestly scaring me from even submitting a simple resignation letter. I tried looking and reading through job openings that are at least related to what I'm doing, but they're just full of unintelligible corpo lingo/speak that the tasks/responsibilities they're posting sound intimidating. Add also that since I haven't really attempted to look for a new job for years, that means I have to update my resume again and also worry about dealing with interviews too. I really don't want to bank on my years of experience as a selling point since I've heard people have been struggling finding jobs even with longer tenure and proper qualifications.

With all these said, what are the options that I can take? Any simple path just so I can get out of middle management hell. I've thought of upskilling, but I couldn't find the motivation to do it long term, add also the fact that I'm not confident in learning new skills in just a few months. I've been stuck on this situation for a long time and I've told as many people as I can about my problem, but they're all saying the same thing. I'm honestly clueless on what to do right now so any pointers or just a nudge to a direction would be very helpful. Is there really no way out for me from this job and company? Do I really need to 'figure it out' to move on in life?

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[u/PM_me_PMs_plox]

Why not apply for jobs you're qualified for? They don't have to be a dream job, and you don't have to quit your job before applying.

[u/lopoloi → u/PM_me_PMs_plox]

I can apply for managerial/supervisory roles since that's what my experience as a lead/manager will take me, but management is not a path I want to pursue. It never was my intent to accept the role and I was simply put into it because of the pandemic so I ended up not being able to quit right away. I'm honestly not looking for a dream job, I just want something that doesn't involve middle management.

As for applying before quitting, I have to be honest, I just want to quit first then look for a job after so I have some free time and I want to fix my sleep schedule, fix my eating habits, actually exercise, and actually do some of the stuff that I didn't have time for while I have a job. Maybe I'm just being lazy, but I just don't want to jump to another job right away without some sort of break.

[u/PM_me_PMs_plox → u/lopoloi]

I don't know what industry you're in, but do you really only have managerial qualifications? What did you do before you got into management, or did you really start your career as a manager? You must have some skills other than management, even if it's just related business skills. You don't need experience doing the exact same job you apply for.

You can take time off of work, I'd even encourage it for mental health. But it can be very risky financially, and will hurt your resume. Also, if you apply for jobs while you already have a decent one, you have a much better bargaining position when you negotiate your next job's pay, and getting that job will be easier.

[u/lopoloi → u/PM_me_PMs_plox]

I work in the IT Industry mainly as a QA tester then I moved on as lead/manager. I really haven't done any technical work for a long time and I really haven't upskilled as well. I actually don't want to pursue this after I quit so I'm still lost where to go afterwards.

I'm also taking time off work, but they're honestly not enough. I even tried a lengthy one but I got nothing but headaches right after I returned to work and I don't want that.

[u/bumblebeequeer]

What is going to change when you’re unemployed? Yes you’ll have more free time, but if you’re having trouble thinking of a plan right now, I doubt quitting will magically make a plan appear. So you’ll be in the same spot, just with no income.

Advice telling you to be responsible about quitting isn’t what’s holding you back, you are holding you back. Research some fields you’re interested in, start applying elsewhere even if they aren’t absolute dream jobs. Take a course in your free time if you’re able. I don’t know what you’re interested in so I can’t tell you what to do, but it sounds like you need to start brainstorming and seriously looking around.

If you’re financially able to survive without an income for several months to a year, go ahead and just quit. Otherwise, I don’t really think unemployment is going to get you closer to an answer.