Expat, Qatar, Travel

I Quit My Job!

April 10, 2017

I quit my jobHow do you know when it is time to leave your expat job? Expats around the world ask this over and over and most expats will tell you that you will just know. And it’s true. I knew a little while back it was time to leave Qatar and so about two weeks ago, I quit my job. At the end of June, I will leave Qatar.

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Why

This was not an easy decision for me to make. The weekend before I gave noticed, I called my parents in a panic saying “This is a dumb decision, right?!” They assured me it wasn’t. My parents have been extremely supportive of this decision, as they have been with most of the decision I have made in my life. I know that if I don’t do it now, I may never get up the nerve to do this.

There isn’t a specific reason for leaving, it was definitely a feeling of it was time to go. I have had the feeling before now several times and the feeling just wasn’t going away. Qatar has been a great place to live for almost four years. My job is great and so are my coworkers. Trust me this decision would have been much easier if I hated my job or my coworkers were terrible. I like them so much, that I had huge anxiety about telling them. I have been at this job longer than any job I have ever had and that is saying a lot for me.

I will miss Qatar and everyone I have gotten to know. One of the hardest things is knowing that I may never see some of these people again.

What’s Next

You may be wondering where my next job is or if I am moving home. But I will tell you there is no next job or repatriation for me. In my typical, not do anything normal way, I have decided to travel for a while. Yes, I am going to be one of those crazy people who quits their job to travel!

This isn’t my first quit my job without another job venture and everything ended up fine with those too. I have an idea of what I want to do for work, but it may not work out or something else may come along. I want to give the blog more focus and see what if I can make it pay some bills. It may never be my full-time job, but I will never know if I don’t give this crazy thing a chance.

So, Where To

That is the next question everyone has asked after hearing my plans. Nailing down a plan for long-term travel is hard and I want to not have a plan, but the planner in me is having a hard time with that!

First, I will go home for a month because I have to dump all my stuff somewhere. Thanks, Mom and Dad, again! Then I head to London for a month. It has been over 20 years since I have been there and I am dying to go back. As you can see, I am planning on spending longer stretches of time in places. There are several reasons for this. One is that it is cheaper to stay somewhere long term than it is to stay somewhere short term. The other is that I really want to get to know the place and see it more as a local would.

There are other things planned, but I want to keep my plans to myself for the moment. Don’t worry, I will tell you eventually! You will just have to keep reading to find out what those plans are.

 

 

 

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71 Comments

  • Reply Em Linthorpe April 10, 2017 at 11:59 am

    This sounds so unbelievably exciting! Good luck in all that you do, you’re going to have a fabulous time ?

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      It’s a bit scary too. Thank you!!

  • Reply Ritu April 10, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    Oh wow! Big decision hun!!! I wish you well!!! Does this mean you’ll be in London for the Bloggers Bash in June??,

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 12:29 pm

      Thank you! No I won’t. I won’t be in London till July. Maybe next year.

      • Reply Ritu April 15, 2017 at 10:45 am

        Here’s hoping xxx

  • Reply Khansa April 10, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    It’s a big bold decision. But, something I will back you up for always. Because if you don’t take the risk you will never know . Wishing you all the best and as always will see you on social ?

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      It is! Thank you! Exactly.

  • Reply Ms. Hala April 10, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    “If not now, when?” That’s the question that nagged me when I was debating moving to Qatar and I literally moved with 3 weeks notice. I’m at it again, debating my next move with the same question, “if not now, when?”

    I’m so proud of you Tiff and wish you nothing but the best of luck in your next adventures. Can’t wait to read and see all about it! =)

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 2:34 pm

      Exactly! I keep telling myself if I don’t do it, I will never do it.

      Thank you!

  • Reply Maja Asgautsen April 10, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Brave! I’m sure you’ll find a good way to make things work for you. Best of luck.

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you! I hope so.

  • Reply Brenda April 10, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    Create the life you want. Well done. Looking forward to the next chapter

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      Yes, that is the plan! Thank you so much!!

  • Reply Trudy April 10, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    I definitely would be scared sh*tless! But it also sounds liberating especially being able to travel as long as you want. Good luck with everything!

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      I am scared but not scared enough to not do it. Lol. Maybe crazy, though. Thanks!

  • Reply Rose Eliud April 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    You are my kind of a person. Actually you sound just like me

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Wonderful! Hope you enjoy the blog.

  • Reply Heather Townsend April 10, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    Wowser!! Congrats to you! We lived in the UAE for five years and it can be quite scary to leave the ‘bubble’, but it’s the best thing we did! I’m sure you’re gonna have some amazing adventures! Good luck lovely and I’ll look forward to reading all about your travels and new adventures!! Well done and good luck! Have loads a fun! : )
    Heather xx
    http://www.suncreamandsparkles.com

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      It is scary to leave it. I’m so glad you are happy you left. Thank you so much!

  • Reply claudine April 10, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Congratulations! How exciting!

  • Reply Josy A April 10, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Good for you! I hope you have an amazing time travelling!

    I’m leaving London in June, so I am sad that I won’t cross paths with you. Ah well. I can follow your adventures on here. Give me a shout if you make it over to Canada! Or if you need any advice on good walks near London!!

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 6:10 pm

      Thank you! Oh that’s a shame. Good luck on your adventure in Canada.

  • Reply Parul Thakur April 10, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    hey Tiffany, that’s super exciting! I don’t know much about quitting as an expat but I know about following your heart tells you to do. So, good luck! London sounds best to get started with. Looking forward to read more from you and know that your readers are with you in this journey. Hugs!

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you so much. This is my first time quitting an expat job. I can’t wait to start traveling.

  • Reply The Indecisive Eejit April 10, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Big decision, but maybe this is the start of something amazing, and how would you ever know if you didn’t try!

    Best of luck to you 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 6:42 pm

      Exactly and I would always regret not trying it. Thanks!!

  • Reply Emily Page April 10, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    Congrats on making a huge decision! I’m sure it will work out, and you’ll have a blast doing it. So excited for you!

    • Reply Tiffany April 11, 2017 at 9:49 am

      Thank you! I am sure it will too.

  • Reply Phaytea April 10, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    Big move!!!!! It’s much needed if you finally decided to stick with your plan…All the best as you exceed limits….looking forward to reading about your experiences..

  • Reply Noelle April 10, 2017 at 9:24 pm

    Best of luck with it! You will never regret travelling! Life is for living, go for it!

    • Reply Tiffany April 10, 2017 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you! Exactly!!

  • Reply April Munday April 10, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    Wow! It’s interesting, isn’t it, how we know exactly the moment we have to move on. I hope you enjoy your time travelling.

    • Reply Tiffany April 11, 2017 at 9:51 am

      Yes, it is interesting. Thank you!

  • Reply CARMEN April 11, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    I totally understand that feeling. Even we feel that its time to go and leave Qatar. You are brave to do it now. I wish you all the best and good luck to your next journey.

    • Reply Tiffany April 11, 2017 at 6:39 pm

      We all have to leave Qatar eventually. Thank you!

  • Reply Ian Edelman April 11, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    Once you fall out of love with Qatar, the decision to leave is easy. Four years seems to be one of the consistent tipping points. Good luck for the future.

    • Reply Tiffany April 11, 2017 at 6:40 pm

      I still love it here but can see that it may not last so I want to go while I still like and don’t hate it. Thank you!

  • Reply vinneve April 12, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    What a surprised!! I read your blog right away the moment I saw it. I wonder why.
    Yes, it’s true, a feeling that won’t go away then it’s time to act on it. I feel it many times to my husband’s horror haha! but yes, of course, guess it’s a different situation.
    Anyway, I wish you all the best to come. I may do the same if I am single and younger haha!
    Take care and remember I am here just a text away. How I wish you could come to AD for a visit. 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany April 12, 2017 at 8:38 pm

      I am sure all expats have this feeling at some point. Thank you!

  • Reply Suzie April 15, 2017 at 10:44 am

    Soooooooo proud of you! Looking forward to meeting you too!

    • Reply Tiffany April 15, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      Thanks so much! I can’t wait to meet you.

  • Reply Matt April 15, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Wow – big decision…look forward to hearing the next part of the adventure!

  • Reply Noelle April 15, 2017 at 11:11 am

    This makes me want another year off to travel! That was the best year, you won’t regret this

    • Reply Tiffany April 15, 2017 at 12:18 pm

      Oh I am so glad you enjoyed your time off! I can’t wait. Thanks

  • Reply Emmalene April 15, 2017 at 11:14 am

    So excited to hear about your next adventures Tiffany!

  • Reply Shelley April 15, 2017 at 11:27 am

    Exciting new adventures await! Good luck to you x ?

  • Reply Traci York April 15, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    Wicked exciting, Tiffany! I can’t wait to live vicariously through your travels. A few years back, I tried to convince hubby to quit his job, so we could travel the country in our tiny camper with our not-so-tiny kids, but it wasn’t in the cards for us. But the feeling while we contemplated it was absolutely glorious – how cool that you get go on this amazing adventure!

    • Reply Tiffany April 16, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      Thank you! I can imagine that doing this with kids could be hard. I will be sharing tons so hope you will follow along.

  • Reply Ruth Daly April 15, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Good for you! I took a year off from my job last year and didn’t really have a clear idea of where I wanted to go but it all came together once I got started. It was a fantastic year and something I hope to do again. Looking forward to reading about where you go and seeing your photos.

    • Reply Tiffany April 16, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      Thanks! I am so glad to hear your year off worked so well. Did you travel?

  • Reply stepahnie April 16, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    You are so lucky to have parents who support you and push you like that. My parents would be like “yes, you need to keep your job and build security.” They are old school like that. You will have no regrets!

    • Reply Tiffany April 16, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      I am very lucky! Thank you!!

  • Reply Roxy Starr April 18, 2017 at 12:34 am

    What a massive decision but I wish you all the best! I have followed and I’m excited to hear all about your journey 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany April 18, 2017 at 8:10 am

      Thank you so much! I can’t wait to get started.

  • Reply Pre-Repatriation Blues? | A Girl and Her PassportA Girl and Her Passport April 24, 2017 at 11:01 am

    […] came the reaction to my post about quitting my job. I expected some sad reactions and a few supportive ones. I expected the […]

  • Reply Joelle LeGendre May 29, 2017 at 11:27 am

    I was reading Susie Speaks and read a little bit about you.

    My sister used to work in North Africa for an oil company (work a month, go back home for a month). She loved it but hit a mandatory retirement age. When you have the “travel gene” you just go with it. (Her motto has always been: It’s an adventure!”) Then, one day, you’re living on a small pension and the only place you’re traveling is to the grocery store and back.

    Whether your adventure succeeds or not, you have to do what your heart tells you it’s time to experience. Those with the travel gene might live to regret it if they don’t take every possible opportunity to “GO”. 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany May 29, 2017 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! I like your sister’s motto! Everything is an adventure and we should all do as much as we can. You only live once, right!

  • Reply Packing is Tedious! | A Girl and Her PassportA Girl and Her Passport June 5, 2017 at 11:48 am

    […] just in case I have forgotten anything. So imagine packing your entire life up to move back to your home country! The packing is not only stressful, but it is […]

  • Reply Jaina June 5, 2017 at 12:07 pm

    Oh wow, what a huge decision to make, and so bravely too. Good luck with wherever you end up, doing whatever you end up doing. It’ll be a whole new adventure 🙂

    On a whole other note, sounds like your timing of leaving Qatar is pretty fortuitous!

    • Reply Tiffany June 5, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      It was huge. Thank you! Yes, today seems like a good time to leave.

  • Reply Sarah August 17, 2017 at 4:01 am

    Very brave! Well done

  • Reply Ciara August 17, 2017 at 4:10 am

    Congrats on this new chapter, it’s definitely a hard decision to make! As a expat in the UAE I know how comfortable you can become! Wondering if Qatars political crisis had any bearings on your decision?

    • Reply Tiffany August 20, 2017 at 6:08 am

      I made the decision long before the crisis happened. It started about three weeks before I was scheduled to fly out. It was a sad end to a happy four years there.

  • Reply Becca @ The Married Cat Lady August 17, 2017 at 11:47 am

    Obviously it’s been a couple months since you made this announcement, and I hope everything is going swimmingly. I just recently returned from London, and I would LOVE to have been able to stay there longer! It sounds like you’re in for quite the adventure! Can’t wait to hear more about it!

    • Reply Tiffany August 20, 2017 at 6:10 am

      Everything is going well so far! My time in London is almost up but it has been nice to be able to see more things than I would have if I had only been here for a week or so.

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