I quit my job thinking my bosses would beg me to stay but um... they didn’t

It turns out, I’ve been living in a corporate fairytale. You know, the one where companies tell you you’re “invaluable” and a “key player,” only for that illusion to vanish the moment you hand in your resignation. Yup, that's the one.

Here’s the backstory. I quit my job because I’ve decided to move abroad. New adventures, new culture, new master’s degree, new friends (not yet but hope is still alive and well), new boyfriend? Ha maybe, let’s see.

But here’s the kicker: my company doesn’t have a work-from-anywhere policy. Weird, right? Especially considering we’re already fully remote and scattered across different time zones. I was ready to pack my virtual office and take it cross-continental, but nope, that wasn’t an option.

Still, I figured my departure announcement would shake things up a little. After all, I was always told I was “invaluable.” A core player in the machine our company was! Surely, when I dropped the news, the begging would commence. I mean, I wasn’t going to stay, but it’d be nice to feel wanted, you know?

Enter reality. I sent the email, and here’s what my boss said (brace yourselves): “Sorry to hear that, wish you all the best, let's hop on a quick call to arrange your last weeks.”

I stared at my screen, blinking. Pardon me? That’s it? No "We’ll do anything to keep you!"? No dramatic proclamations of “We’ll never survive without you!”? They moved on faster than I could refresh Teams.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting a marching band or anything, but geez, throw me a little sentiment here. After years of pouring my heart and soul into this job (OK, that’s a big of a stretch), it was like being handed a gold star sticker and told to keep walking.

Deep down, I always knew this was how it worked. This moment wasn’t a revelation as much as a confirmation. Corporate life is a cycle, and no matter how “amazing” you are at your job, you’re always going to be replaceable. But hey, knowing something in theory and feeling it firsthand are two different beasts.

Of course, now I’ve channeled all these feelings into this newsletter—which, by the way, I’ve decided deserves my energy way more than a group of people who can move on from me in under 60 seconds. Maybe that makes me petty, but I’d rather call it prioritization.

And you know what? This whole experience has me thinking. Maybe I’ve outgrown the employee life entirely. I got a TikTok astrologist in my algorithm last week who said it was the perfect time to start fresh, and honestly, I’m not ruling it out. Maybe my poor, tortured soul is ready for something that doesn’t involve resignation letters or pretending to understand why corporate policies are the way they are.

Maybe this is a sign. A push from the universe telling me it’s time to chart my own path. To pour my creativity, passion, and slight bitterness (still fresh, okay?) into something that’s mine. Who knows? Maybe I’m meant for something more than being a cog in a machine.

But one thing’s for sure: I’ve learned my lesson. No more sipping the corporate piña coladas about being “irreplaceable.” The truth is, there’s life outside those Slack messages and Zoom calls. And honestly? It tastes like freedom. Or maybe it’s the pastrami and pesto sandwich I bought to celebrate quitting. Either way, it’s delicious.

P.S. That part about me outgrowing employee life entirely? I was just being sarcastic, I really need a job. Help a girl out? And I promise to keep this newsletter alive and well. Anyways, see you!