Why Are So Many of Us Quitting Our Jobs?
Did You See That Squarespace CEO Article?
You ever see a headline so wild you have to check it’s real? That happened to me this week: “Gen Z job seekers should be willing to work for free, work long hours, and be willing to do anything.”
Back in my day, working for free was called volunteering. My grandpa always told me: “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”
(Which is why—joke’s on me—I keep doing magic tricks for free on YouTube.)
But it got me thinking: our work culture feels wild right now, and it’s not just one CEO pulling this stuff.
Quitting Is Kinda… Trendy?
Remember a couple years ago when everyone seemed to be quitting? “The Great Resignation,” they called it.
In 2021 alone, 47 million people left their jobs.
2022 broke the record again—over 50 million Americans quit.
Last year?
“Quiet quitting” became a thing. Not loud walk-outs—just doing the minimum, checking out emotionally.
Even CEOs of companies like YouTube and Walgreens dipped out (Forbes: CEO resignations report).
And in 2024, people call this “The Great Resignation 2.0”: 3 in 10 US workers are thinking about quitting again this year, mostly Gen Z and Millennials (ResumeBuilder survey).
💡 So… WHY Are We All Quitting?
Not a career expert here—just a human.
Top 3 reasons? According to Statista:
- Pay is too low
- No advancement opportunities
- Feeling disrespected at work
Add lack of flexibility, burnout, or simply feeling meh about life, and it makes sense.
But seriously—these reasons aren’t new. So why does it feel like a flood now?
The Plot Twist: It Goes WAY Deeper Than TikTok Trends
That “standard” 40-hour workweek?
It’s from 1940! Productivity exploded thanks to computers and AI, but most of us are still grinding 40+ hours.
Real wages? Didn’t keep up (EPI wage & productivity chart). Inflation, union-busting, outsourcing, and gig jobs all collided.
More work, less security, fewer raises.
No wonder burnout is sky-high.
Why NOW? The Pandemic Changed Everything
Let’s be blunt—the world pausing in 2020 let us think for once.
People downgraded dreams from working-to-live to living-to-work.
And with prices up and wages stuck, it felt pointless.
Younger workers (18–34), especially Gen Z, are quitting at the highest rates (Pew Research).
Seeing your parents grind, barely getting by—no wonder you question the whole system.
Should You Quit Your Job?
It depends.
If your job is soul-crushing, if you’ve got 6–12 months of expenses saved, and at least a half-baked next plan?
Maybe it’s time.
Data show switching jobs every 2–3 years helps grow your pay fastest.
Feeling stuck? Take the Washington Post “Should You Quit?” Quiz.
Energize Your Job Search—Free Tools & Resources
If you’re considering a job move or just feeling lost, here are free resources and job tools that can help:
Major Job Boards & Career Tools
- LinkedIn Jobs — Best for networking, direct connections, and applying to jobs
- Indeed — Robust job search, company reviews, and salary research
- Glassdoor — Job listings with inside info on salaries and company culture
- USAJOBS — For those interested in U.S. government and federal jobs
- SimplyHired — Aggregates jobs nationwide from various sites
Salary Research & Career Pathways
- Payscale — Research compensation and job offers, free personalized salary reports
- O*NET Online — Explore industries, required skills, and job outlooks (US gov database)
- My Next Move — User-friendly career discovery tool by US Dept of Labor
Resume & Application Help
- Canva’s Free Resume Builder — Design professional resumes for free
- Jobscan — Check if your resume matches job descriptions and get AI-driven tips (free basic scans)
- Zety Free Resume Builder — Templates and tips, free download with registration
Mental Health & Burnout Support
- CDC—Workplace Mental Health
- Mental Health America: Work & Well-Being — Resources specific for workplace stress
Flexible & Remote Work
Learn & Upskill for Free
- Coursera Free Courses — Learn new skills with accredited free classes
- edX — Access courses from MIT, Harvard, and more (lots are free!)
- Google Career Certificates (Free Tier) — Professional certificates for in-demand careers
Worth Watching & Reading
- 📺 MIT Neurosurgeon: Why I Walked Away From a Six-Figure Career
- 📺 Why the “Great Resignation” Isn’t Over | CNBC Make It
- 📈 EPI: Productivity & Wages Have Split
- 🙋♂️ Should You Quit Your Job Quiz (WaPo)
Final Thoughts: The Rules Are Changing
It’s not lazy to want more out of work than a paycheck. We’re overdue for a new normal—maybe with a little less burnout built in.
If you have a story—whether quitting, staying, or figuring things out—share it in the comments. You never know who you’ll help.
Take care of yourself first. Jobs are supposed to fund your life, not take it over.
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