How I Quit My Career

After a little over a year of working in a Webtoon Production House as a Project Manager, I decided to quit.

I had never imagined I would end up in the creative industry after jumping from one industry to another over the past 7 years. I was once in children's education for a year and I jumped for a better salary. Then I worked in export-import for another year, and I jumped again because I missed working with young people. Lastly, I joined a management trainee program and worked in the marketing department in the airline industry for almost 4 years before I jumped into the creative industry. Though I've met many good friends and inspiring leaders, and gone to so many new places with experiences I won't trade for anything in the world, pandemic as we know it still got the better of the aviation industry and I had to move to survive.

Starting in a new industry is often hard, just like starting anything new. It's scary and risky, but I was looking for purpose and meaning. I wanted to take pride in what I'm doing and got paid properly for it. Even in my late twenties, I thought it was only right to keep on the lookout for a place and industry where I belong, among the right people with good intentions. Many believe such a perfect place doesn't exist, but how would you know if you're scared of even trying? I had applied for around 20 openings that week and the first to contact me was this webtoon production house. After 3 hours of interview and tests, I received the offering letter that same day and decided to take it.

My first half a year wasn't a walk in the park, even on my first day, I didn't have the time to even look at my phone until it was time to head home, let alone get to know my editors. I guess that's just how start-ups are, and I had hard times switching from the laid-back corporate life while catching all the things needed on the go and at the same time performing well and fast. During my probation and a few months after, I handled 16 titles (including 8 editors, 30-ish artists, and their meltdowns) and I remember lying down exhausted on my carpet every time I reached my apartment (which never happened before since I usually have a lot of energy for work). I also took script proofreading, translation, and lettering freelance on weekends from the company. All that plus a copywriting freelance for a couple of months which I did on the road to and from the office. I had no time for myself unless during shower and sleep. I didn't even have the time to have a meltdown myself, because working was no longer the top priority of my life, but it had become my life.

I did find my long-lost passion in this industry (art drawing and story writing) although not as the doer, but as a manager who managed their schedules. My editors grew on me like my own kids too, and I liked taking care of them and making sure they were treated fairly. I don't know if it's because I'm a Libra, but keeping their well-being was what kept me going. Everything was still bearable until the second half of the year and I realized I'm not cut out for startups. I need a stable company with the wisdom of at least 10 years of a leader to feel secure so I can focus on my work without worrying about a sudden pay cut, odd competition for a promotion, or promises being taken back. If I ever work for others again, the first thing I look for would be: whether the owner is the type to treat me as a valuable asset or to encourage me to "get better company" instead. However, since I know it's nearly impossible as employees are always replaceable, I decided to quit, took a long break, and work on myself. Fix a healthy routine and pursue my old passion. Do yoga daily, write ideas and stories, play with my cats back at home, and meditate to manifest what I want in life.

Below is the memory footage of my last day at the office:

Meet Caca, Azwan, Jco, Alvian, and Lulu! The others are in the polaroids T^T

I brought the Japanese cookies and thermal blanket to Salatiga (looks ready to join a warm witch cult xD), but I had to leave the Thanos gauntlet, long cat plushies, cat mug, beautiful drawing of me in a frame, and the rose lamp in my apartment, for now. I'll be back to pack them all in safety.

Last but not least, this is an appreciation to one of my editors who made me artwork from time to time:

A shout-out that he also created Gynoid, Lost Secret, Coup D'etat, and Escorting Love. Hope someday he can continue his original works :D

June 2022 is the month I lost a beloved family member, quit my career, and left both my apartment and the capital city for God knows how long. I'm still pursuing what is important to me, purpose and meaning-wise, but apparently, it doesn't have to be as an employee. Someone who chose a similar path told me to believe that fortune follows as long as we continue to have faith and courage in what we do in life, so I'll do just that.