I did it. I quit my job to pursue my dream of writing for a living.
In a decisive blow to my ego and a major victory for my soul, I mustered the courage week before last to finally pull the trigger.
I put time on my boss’s calendar for a “Quick Catch-up,” yet nothing could be further from the truth. I have been contemplating this very move for as long as I can remember.
As I walked down the hall to his office, hoping he would be there (and hoping he wouldn’t) and knowing he was none the wiser, my heart raced and a whirlwind of thoughts swirled through my head. This is the right thing to do. It’s going to be ok. Deep breath. Big girl panties. (I even checked as I smoothed my skirt before walking into his office.) And he was there. Showtime. And do not cry. This is a good thing! You’re finally doing this! Do not cry. Do not effing cry.
Quitting is never easy, even if you know in your heart it’s the right thing to do. We invest so much of ourselves in our jobs, working hard to not only do a good job but to look good, to get recognition from our peers for that job well done. I have worked 30 years to earn that title, that office, those lofty responsibilities.
My decision to leave was made even more difficult by the fact that I was leaving a very good job, a VP-level job with good pay and benefits. And unless you’ve been living under a rock on another planet, you know what a terrible mess the oil & gas industry is in. I was fortunate to have that job I was leaving, when so many, actually about 350,000 including my husband, have not been so lucky. My leaving was a big leap of faith for both of us.
As I explained to my boss that I was leaving the company, guess what? I cried. Ugh. And it’s so hard to stop when you start. He was nice about it, offering that we might take a break, reconvene in 20 minutes or so. I took him up on it, adding to my humiliation.
As I sat on a bench in the park-like setting outside my office (a beautiful campus with many amenities), I thought about what I am giving up and what I am gaining. I am leaving the security – the black & white – of a full-time job for the opportunity – almost pure gray – of doing what I have dreamed of doing all my life. Not to rehash that story, you can read about it in past posts, but I have always wanted to write.
I remember as Director of Worldwide Marketing at BMC Software (on the same campus here in Houston, no less) climbing the ladder, 25 people reporting to me from around the world, and envying the writers on staff. I remember wanting that. Wanting to be an individual contributor writer, responsible only to myself, to live or die (professionally speaking) based solely on my own contributions. That was a good 15 years ago. That was my heart, my soul, reaching out, yearning for that. Yet my strong ego said, no way, keep going, stay the course, climb the ladder!
Speaking of climbing the ladder, this experience, of wanting something so badly that I was able to climb out of my comfort zone to finally do it, reminded me of being 8 or 9 at our neighborhood pool here in Houston and wanting so badly to jump off the high dive. I would watch the other kids doing it and think, I can’t imagine doing that. Things to which I aspire start with that thought, I can’t imagine… I can’t imagine working on this cool campus. I can’t imagine presenting in this auditorium. I can’t imagine adopting a child. I can’t imagine becoming divorced…
Whether or not I know it, once I’ve had that thought, the die is cast. The intention is out there, and the universe conspires to help make it happen. Once I’ve decided to do it, I enter into what Brene Brown calls ‘the messy middle’. From the moment you take that initial step, up to the first rung on that diving board ladder, and you (or any of the other kids at the pool) become aware of your intention, it gets messy until you finally jump off.
It’s scary. You second guess yourself. You’re easily influenced by even the slightest questioning of your decision. When I told one of my best girlfriends that I was going to leave my job to write, her first response was, “Wow. Can you afford to do that?” My initial response was, “Crap, no. What am I doing?” But I stayed the course, finally realizing that I cannot afford not to do this.
Since before I started my first job at an ad agency in Austin in 1985, my ego has been in charge. It has been my defense mechanism. Money has been my currency of power.
I am done with that. It’s time for my ego to step aside and let me be me. Transformation without tragedy and all. I am ready to meet and be Karen v3. Karen Abercrombie, freelance writer. I have no idea what the future holds. But bring it on.
piqueblog.com 
Karen, I’m a subscriber to your blog but have fallen a bit behind, and so I just read this post this morning (a month later). But let me tell you! This is just what I needed today!
I’m currently winding down on Angie v3 and dreaming of v4. I’ve been in that place: finally worked up the nerve to quit my lucrative job at a company where I’d climbed the ladder. Friends and family thought me brave/crazy. It was a truly exhilarating time. Your post –and the subsequent comments– so captured and reminded me of those feelings. It also reminds me that I CAN DO THIS again (even though I’m 12 years older, and far less marketable now –shut up, ego! 😉).
Thank you for so eloquently sharing your vulnerability and courage. I have no doubt you will succeed in v3. And I look forward to reading all that comes as a result. 💓
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Oh Angie. So nice to hear from you. It’s been an interesting ride. I am glad you’re riding alongside, too. Company can be comforting. Best of luck to you on your journey. Let’s keep in touch.
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You were a great manager at BMC but I bet you’ll make an even better writer because it’s where your heart truly lies. Can’t wait to see how you succeed and kudos for having the cajones to do what most others can’t.
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Thank you, Jennifer!!
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Congrats Karen! It is a big step and now that you have taken it, just keep looking forward with that huge smile of yours. Following your heart is always the “Right” thing to do.
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This beginning of a beginning is so beautifully articulated that I am confident that you made the right (hard) choice. You have just one life. You are living it.
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Thanks, Beth, for your words of inspiration (and comfort in the moment). Looking forward to September.
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This is courage, as I understand courage. This is a beginning that is so beautifully articulated I’m confident you made the right choice. Congratulations, Karen.
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Good for you! I wish I had done it sooner myself!
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I am so excited for you!! I cannot wait to hear all that your new journey has in store for you! Enjoy! We still need to do that lunch, soon.
Ginger
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Thanks, Ginger. Let’s book it!
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Karen, I’ve been watching this transition from afar and was certain of the outcome-just wasn’t certain when! It’s funny as Im in Chicago at the National Restaurant Association attending presentations on latest trends in interacting with customers, food, and restaurant/entertainment business models. I laughed to myself last night that here’s a 68 formed CEO of two public companies in energy technology/services still learning and booting up in a new industry when most my age are kicking back and playing golf. But learning and doing new things is my form of play-and welcome to your new world of experiences-but you will also likely find that it’s really shades of grey between old and new and much of what you learned in the past in many different ways can still be leveraged in your new life. Enjoy the excitement of new beginnings!
Bob
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Yeah, Bob, you had me pegged from the start. Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, always. I greatly admire you. Always have, always will. You are never going to stop growing and learning. Let me know when you are ready for a collaborator on the book. (I am already an expert on mistakes.) 😊
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You go, girl. No regrets. Your life will transform for the better and remember…it’s YOUR life… and you’re the boss!
Still want to do that lunch with Melanie.
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Thanks, Cindy. And now that you mention it, you’re right. I am the boss. I was recently “promoted” to President, of Karen Abercrombie, LLC! Mel’s still traveling but when she gets back we will get together. 💚
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Congratulations. Holy crap. Rock on with your bad self. I am in awe and so inspired!!!!
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Thanks Marihelen. That made me laugh. 😄
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So courageous and wonderful! Kudos to you for doing what you love! I want to be just like you when I grow up!!
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Beaming, here, with pride and happiness. Way to be strong, and true to yourself!
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Thank you, Tracey. 💋💜
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Woohooo!! Well done you! Bring it on, as you say! You did the hard bit, let the universe unfold before you with a bounty of treats 🙂
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