After being drained by my previous company to the point of mental and physical exhaustion, I finally mustered the courage to resign.
Many people were happy for me, thinking I had finally decided to leave an environment that caused daily anxiety, insomnia, and even self-doubt. But in reality, few know that what I struggled with most wasn’t whether to resign, but when to do it.
It took a long time from the moment I first considered resigning to actually submitting my notice.
On one hand, I kept doubting myself, wondering if pushing a little harder or holding on a bit longer would make things gradually improve. On the other hand, the real-life pressures were undeniable.
I have a mortgage and fixed monthly expenses. I couldn’t just quit dramatically and tell myself to rest for a few months. For me, the end of one job means the start of the next, so I always hoped to make a seamless transition—keeping my income uninterrupted and receiving full pay from both positions.
Some might find this exhausting, but it was the choice that gave me the most security at the time.
So even though I clearly knew something was wrong with my mental and physical state and had some awareness of the issue, I still chose to job hunt while working, planning to formally resign only after receiving an offer.
Looking back now, I realize the people around me noticed my exhaustion even earlier than I did.
Some close friends, and others who quietly checked on me via IG stories, almost all said the same thing: “You should rest first.” They hoped I wouldn’t rush into the next job but would give myself time to catch up on sleep, sort out my emotions, release the accumulated stress from these past months, and then start fresh.
That’s when I realized how much more worn out I looked in everyone’s eyes than I had imagined.
Interestingly, as I started talking to more people about resigning, I found that everyone’s choices were different.
Some believe that if finances allow, you should leave first and then search for a job slowly, because health is more important than anything. Others, like me, prefer to find the next job before resigning, because an uninterrupted income brings more peace of mind. Some make sure to complete the full notice period and handle the handover thoroughly, while others think that once legal obligations are fulfilled, it’s best to leave early and quickly escape the draining environment.
I used to think there was a “more correct” way to resign, but now I believe that since everyone’s life stage, financial situation, family responsibilities, and mental resilience differ, there can never be a single standard answer. What matters isn’t what others do, but whether the choice brings you peace of mind.
Just like my decision to leave only after finding a new job—although it meant pushing myself a bit longer and sometimes wondering if I was being too hard on myself—at least it was the choice I felt best suited me after considering my mortgage, income, and future plans. And there’s nothing wrong with others choosing to rest first. Because resigning has never been an exam; you don’t need to match someone else’s answer. Those who move fast aren’t necessarily braver, and those willing to stop and rest aren’t weaker. Everyone is trying, in their own way, to live life well.
So if you’re also standing at a crossroads, wondering whether to resign, whether to rest first, or whether to find the next job before leaving, try asking yourself: Which choice would bring your future self more peace?
Because what truly matters isn’t which path others think is best, but whether that path is one you’re willing to take and can continue walking steadily.
There is no most correct way to resign—only the lifestyle that suits you best.