In 2018, I had the chance to spend 12 months working in a startup environment at an advertising agency. That year taught me three or four times more than any outside setting ever could—about business, marketing, and team management. But I’ll save those lessons for another post. For now, I just want to share how I’ve managed to keep my spirits up (or “keep motivation,” as I like to call it) during the process of searching for a new job.

Why I Quit My Old Job Before Looking for a New One

Everyone has their own reasons for leaving a job and seeking something new. For me, it was simple: as I hit 30, I took a hard look at my career path and realized I wasn’t following any clear direction. On average, I’d stay at a workplace for about 1.5 years. At each step, I’d chase my own goals—like wanting to become a manager by 26, so I’d apply for manager roles after hitting a ceiling as a senior executive at my old company. That’s how it went: at every stage, I’d ask myself what I wanted to learn, what I wanted to experience, and then I’d find an environment to grow into that vision.

Looking at it broadly, this approach gave me a wealth of diverse experiences. I adapt quickly and learn fast to fit into new settings. But as a woman with a family, I also saw how, in some ways, I was being irresponsible toward myself and my loved ones. So I paused. I reflected on my vibrant 20s—a time filled with varied experiences, a few small awards to take pride in, and an income that many would envy. And that was it. There wasn’t much else—no deeper benchmarks like:

• Standards for a workplace (like benefits tied to insurance, for example)
• A plan to stay in one environment for 1, 2, or 3 years
• A clear sense of what I’d achieved and what I still needed to learn or improve to grow in a new role
• A long-term career journey

And that’s why I stopped. Of course, hitting pause meant talking it over with my family, reviewing our finances, setting up a safety net, and planning the job hunt. I’ll write about all of this bit by bit in my blog, like a record of my journey to find work and rediscover myself. Still, I believe if you can, it’s best to line up a new job before leaving the old one. And before jumping into that “new love,” take two weeks to rest, reflect on the past, and sketch out what’s ahead.

A Day in the Life of Someone Job Hunting

Even though I don’t have to be at an office by 8 a.m., I stick to a routine like I’m still working.

• 6:00: Wake up and freshen up
• 6:30: Meditate for about 10 minutes. I’m new to it, so I commit to 5–10 minutes for now.

After meditating, I get my kid ready for school and wake up the rest of the family. If I have time, I’ll cook breakfast for everyone, though it’s not a must. I drop my kid off at school around 7-something, then by 8, I find a café to settle in and work:

• Job hunting: I browse job boards and LinkedIn for opportunities. This usually takes me 2–3 hours in the morning until lunchtime.
• Lunch: I eat with someone instead of alone—it’s a chance to network and maybe pick up freelance gigs to earn a little extra.
• Afternoon: I spend this time on new courses. I’m taking English for Career Development on Coursera, loving the convenience and the fact that it’s free.

Things I Always Remind Myself During the Job Search

DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS: This is the golden rule for keeping myself grounded as I work toward a new career chapter. Every day, scrolling through Facebook, I see friends my age doing big things—working as expats abroad, traveling like it’s nothing, studying for an MBA, buying houses or cars. Meanwhile, I’m jobless. But being jobless doesn’t mean life stops. It means you’re carving out a new, better path.

ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS—BRIGHTER: This isn’t just self-encouragement or wishful thinking—it’s something I’ve found true throughout my years of learning and working. I tell myself to let go of past awards and salaries and focus on where I am now and where I want to go. Each workplace has taught me more than the last, and I cherish what my old bosses, colleagues, and environments gave me. Every lesson I carry forward is equally valuable.

ALWAYS ASK MYSELF WHAT I WANT FROM A NEW WORKPLACE: When an offer lands in my inbox, it’s tempting to say yes right away—whether for money, boredom, or whatever else. But I keep myself sharp and ask over and over: Do I really want to work here? How long could I stay? Will this solve my old problems, or will I just burn out and quit again? Sometimes, I say no. I keep searching, passing on anything that doesn’t meet my “minimum standard for an amazing workplace.”

UNEMPLOYMENT IS A BLESSING: As a woman, it wasn’t until I was jobless that I had time to tidy up the house. I take my kid to school, pick them up, cook for the family every day. I treasure those moments and learn to organize my life better. I’ve realized that only when you stop do you find time to sort things out—and time for family is always there in abundance. Unemployment has also brought me incredible connections—friends, siblings, even old bosses stepping in to help me land the job I want. Most importantly, it’s given me time for myself, to listen to my body and care for it.

I believe this series of mine will stretch on for a while. I’ll keep writing as much as I can, hoping it opens doors to new opportunities so I can pick the very best ones.