I Didn't Quit Corporate. My Body Did.

The car windows were fogging up since I was taking this particular work conference call from my car. I had a therapy appointment immediately afterward, so I called in from the parking lot. Therapy, after all, took great priority at that time in my life.

This job was very low on my priority scale. I had been demoted and tossed around to multiple managers who knew nothing about my strengths or skillset. Like a number, I was treated as just another body to throw a certain set of tasks at with zero regard for my talents or contributions. After eight years of contributions and an acquisition of sorts, I simply held on because of the safety of the paycheck and the benefits.

This call was different, though. I felt something in the energy. In the words being spoken. In the disregard for us as humans. A focus on the work only, the mundane tasks, and a drive to prove our worth as a team in the most soul-sucking way. Then it came: the project assignment that would end it all for me. How did I know that today was the day?

As soon as this new, completely unrelated international project was assigned, BOOM, I lost all interest. It was like certainty washed over every cell in my body. My body screaming: "NOT THIS."

Obviously, this assignment had already been discussed by others because my email inbox rapidly flooded with messages and details I had no intention of opening.

And there it was: my cue to leave. I was so sure about this. I had never felt such a clear answer from my body come before I even asked the question.

I quickly auto-filed all the emails. Absolutely not reading these. As I opened a blank Word document to type my resignation letter, I could feel my limbs calming down as my nervous system thanked me.

It was as if I had been clenching while I held onto this job. A deep breath as I typed the last word, freeing me in a way that only brings me gratitude for that dreaded project…  The one that finally helped me say goodbye.

So if there is something in your life that you know deep down isn't working, I hope you will listen to your body.  Sometimes it is subtle, but the clues are there.  Email me at ks@kristinswansonconsulting.com if any of this resonates, we are building something to empower women to follow these nudges.