photo: kushiplus
I just turned down the opportunity of a lifetime. The position was for an IT consultant with a top notch client in downtown Chicago. The pay equated to 80k+ a year. I passed the initial interview with flying colors. The recruiter said I made such a positive impression on the client that 5 minutes after my interview they wanted me to come in and meet the rest of the team including two of the Vice Presidents I would be working with.
I knew in my heart that I was going to land the gig. I had the education and the experience to back it up.
At the end of that day I felt ecstatic. I felt great that the interview went well. But most of all, I was excited that I was landing a job as a consultant. I’ve been wanting to get my foot in the door. And this job was that opportunity.
But as the interview date was fast approaching, I couldn’t stop being overcome with stress and pressure. I was familiar with the emotional toll a job like this could take on me. This was when I began to have my doubts. The stress of being an IT consultant now made me nauseous. I knew then I had to listen to my heart (and my gut) and step away from this opportunity.
I turned down an $80,000 job and I was happy.
If it wasn’t for our minimalist lifestyle I would not have had the freedom to say no to a lucrative paying job.
It’s what we didn’t have that gave me the freedom to say no:
- we don’t have credit card debt
- we don’t have a car note – we own one car that is fully paid off that my husband uses for work
- we don’t live a lavish lifestyle
Most importantly we have the security of 8 months worth of expenses saved up that will sustain us until I find the job that feels right to me.
My sanity was far more worth $80,000
Because my husband and I live a simple lifestyle, we have the freedom to control our destiny. I know that there are many people out there that must think I am insane for saying no to this job. But I don’t have the credit card debt, car note payment or lavish lifestyle. I have a sufficient rainy day fund to sustain me until I find the right opportunity. Having the freedom of choice is very liberating to me.
I know others out there that have taken the plunge and turned their back on their jobs to pursue their passion. Nina Yau of Castles in the Air and Joshua Millburn of The Minimalists are two writers that I admire for doing that.
There’s also Karol Gajda of Ridiculously Extraordinary that has sustained his lifestyle by being self employed since he was 19.
That is why I believe and love the minimalist lifestyle. You have freedom and the power to do what you want, when you want it. It’s basically living life according to your will. (or God’s will if you are Catholic/Christian).
This is what attracts me to living minimally.
It’s all about the FREEDOM!
I am living it and loving it!
What’s interesting is that there are two minimalist schools of thought on this.
There’s the “Your Money Or Your Life” school which basically suggests that you work whatever job you need to for whatever length of time you need to to put away enough $$$ that you never have to work again.
Then there’s the “do what you need to do today to make the money you need now” school.
Both are valid ways of approaching the problem; it’s always interesting to see which one people choose and why!
Great post Jenny!
Hi Robert!
You are right, there are two ways to look at it and both are very valid. Thanks for the vote of confidence Robert. That makes me feel so much more confident that I made the right decision! It’s great to feel the love and support from this community
I know the feeling. I’m happy for you. This is the way it should be.
Turning down a job offer felt almost like a sin the first time. Now, I turn down dozens of jobs every week – jobs I know I could land without a second thought, and all of which would pay well.
I turn them down because I’m not willing to wake up with an alarm clock every day. (Haven’t used one in two years now.) I turn them down because I’m not willing to answer for why I’m arriving five minutes late, or leaving five minutes early. I turn them down because I’m not willing to compete with the fashionistas in the office. I turn them down because I refuse to wear a pager, and I refuse to think about work after I’ve left the office. I refuse to fit my insane wanderlust into 2 weeks per year. I refuse to bring a doctor’s note to my office. I refuse I refuse I refuse.
What remains are the jobs I’ll take. And they are few. But as you said, the minimalist lifestyle affords that freedom. I can comfortably wait all year for the right job, because I’m not keeping up with the Joneses.
Great post. Exciting! This is what everyone should be reaching for.
Randy!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I am beginning to learn more about myself and determine what I want to give up. And I’m learning that there are just some things that are not worth any amount of money. My sanity and my peace of mind is so much more worth any dream job. I am confident that I will find a job that I will love. Knowing that I can take my time searching for it and not be worried about my finances really eases the pressure. It was very motivating to read what you had commented. It boosts my confidence that I am on the right path! I’ll see you soon Randy!
Jenny,
How fantastic you understand yourself, your family and your needs well enough to not get embroiled in the wrong, though lucrative, job! I nearly shouted when I read this! This is so much what we are trying to get across to others, what good will the money do you if you are so stressed it effects health and relationships (been there, was not pretty!) Better a little with peace than much with no peace! I’m excited for you to see where the journey leads!
Hi Gena!
I can hear you shouting all the way from Hawaii lol! When I said ‘no’ it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It’s great that I have a community here encouraging me and cheering me on! I feel so at peace with my decision. I love it!
Hi Jenny!
Yes, minimalism at it’s heart is, to me, truly about creating freedom in our lives to do whatever makes our hearts sing – instead of living according to the “shoulds” that society tells us we must adhere to. Bravo to you for sticking to your plan and knowing that $$ is not the path (in itself) to that kind of freedom. No amount of money is worth giving up a sense of contentment and peace. Well done!
Hi Tisha!
Thanks for your support! My friends think I about lost it. But I know deep down in my heart, I made the right decision. It’s not just about money but about one’s happiness. And listening to my gut, it just didn’t feel right to take that challenge on. And like you said, no amount of money is worth trading my peace of mind and the contentment in my heart.
Way to go Jenny! It sounds like this job offer was a true test to your new values, and guess what. You ACED it baby!
That had to be an incredible feeling knowing that you had a legitimate choice on whether to accept that job offer. No amount of money in the world is worth you happiness and sanity.
This is an inspirational story and one I think will resonate with many, including me! I turned down three job offers before I accepted the one I have now. I accepted my current job for the flexibility it offers (I can work from home four out of five days each week), but not for the pay. I could have made more money with some of the other job offers. So far, I haven’t regretted a single day that’s past since I made that decision. I’m willing to bet you won’t either.
Hi Jenny!
Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m flattered to know that my action will resonate to others. Sometimes I have my doubts and think ‘what the heck did I just do?’. But deep down inside I know I made the right decision. It looks like I am in good company, to hear that you turned down three offers to finally find the position that works for you makes me realize I am on the right path.
Big Hugs to you girl!
I’m happy for you and your decision. Sometimes the money just isn’t worth it.
Hi Annie!
Thanks for stopping by. It’s true sometimes the money isn’t worth it, and by cutting down on all the extras in my life has really made me change my way of thinking.
Congratulations Jenny!! What a great feeling it must be to be able to take money out of the equation when deciding what you want to do. That is true freedom. I admire you and your husband’s lifestyle and can’t wait to get there myself. Good for you for following your heart!
Hi Selena!
I have to hand it to my husband. When we were both working we really made sure we kept our expenses low and socked away $ for our ‘rainy day fund’. I’m so glad that he motivated me to do it because if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have the freedom of choice I have now. Thanks for stopping by Selena!
Wow, Jenny! I’m proud of you! Your strength, determination, and self-discipline are really shining through. I’m not sure I’d be able to do what you did, so I’m not even going to try to say something like “Yeah, I would’ve done the same thing!”, but seeing you put your true values before a large offer of money just motivates me to press on as well and continue on my journey of unabashed minimalism and life exploration, and I too look forward to the day when I can walk out of my office with my head held high and start living my dreams.
Yes, you’re an inspiration to us all and I wish you the best always!
P.S. Dim Sum awesomeness awaits in Chinatown!
Hi Rick!
See you Tuesday!
Thanks for the flood of compliments! I am flattered. I am proud of you too for being aggressive about paying off your debt and living a simple lifestyle. It’s great to be surrounded by like minded people like you and the community here. I feel so at home
You have to do what makes you happy, and the best thing is that the job will go to someone who truly needs and wants it.
Not to say that you don’t deserve it, but that you’re passing on the good karma elsewhere.
Hi Selena!
I was thinking of you when I was going through my thought process. I remember you had said that you are a consultant too. I admire you because I’m sure it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to work in that field. It’s great to know that is where your passion lies. Thanks for your feedback. With today’s job market I am sure that they are in no shortage of finding a good candidate for that spot. I believe in karma too, so thanks for mentioning that. In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for the good karma to boomerang back in my direction. Big hugs Selena. Ooh! I gotta ask ya what are you eating for dinner tonight? I love your tweets about food. I love eating! lol!
Wow Jenny this is awesome!! I am so happy for you! (and a little bit jealous!)
I am working on getting to the position that you and your husband are in so that I can one day turn around and do the exact same thing! I can’t wait for that day and it’s closer than I ever imagined it would be!
This is so inspiring! I want to know now, what your dreams and goals are now that you have the freedom to choose!
I’m still on the lookout for a job. But it’s going to need to feel right and by that I mean it needs to be a good fit. I am delighted that I was able to inspire you (I’m flattered actually). I cannot wait for you to get to that point! Big Hugs to you Marianne!