A young Australian woman has spoken out about when she quit her ‘dream job’ and explained why she was happier with Centrelink benefits.
Alicia, 30, revealed her journey of escaping the rat race in a video posted to social media earlier this month.
“I’ve quit my dream job, I’m completely burnt out and need to re-evaluate what’s going to make me happy and, most importantly, give me the security I need,” she said.
“I have worked since I was 18 to get to this point and this job. I have decided that my values are worth more than monetary gain or a career position.
“I’m also dealing with severe burnout, like countless people, where we’ve filled so many roles over so many years that our job description doesn’t cover.”
Young Australian woman Alicia (pictured) has explained why she quit her dream job because she was burned out at the age of 30. Alicia says she now focuses on work that aligns with her core values and beliefs
For two years, Alicia worked an average of 14 hours a day, five days a week.
“I feel like so many of us, especially if you come from marginalized collectives, we see success on the western or white scale of what it means to be successful,” she said.
“When I turned 30 and got this job, I had to sit back and think that this is my moment where I can choose which world I want to work in.
“And I can’t choose a job or institution that will cost me my identity and especially my core values and beliefs.”
Alicia said she previously worked for community organizations before landing her dream role at a private company, saying that was ultimately a mistake.
“I am so exhausted, tired and exhausted. To have to scale back and reconfigure things now and think about how I want to look in the next ten years is not easy.
“But saying that it’s so exciting to think about what I want to do.
‘When I had unemployment or single parent benefits, I was happier than last year as a whole.
“Especially during the five months I was in that job where I quit, I had lost my happiness.
Alicia said her dream job robbed her of her happiness
“Having a job where you’re afraid of having to give your insights to hit them back isn’t the job I want to live.
“I’ve decided to focus on having a job that offers the flexibility my life requires, especially having a daughter with additional needs.
‘Moreover, a role in which I do not have to make concessions to my morals and obligations to my community.
Social media users supported the mother and many said they had experienced something similar, she explained.
“100% just did this, resigned, now doing only me,” one person commented.
Good on you for staying true to yourself and your community. You will be a force for change no matter which way you go,” said another.
“I support you 100%. Colonial expectations of productivity and capitalist success are diametrically opposed to human well-being,” a third wrote.
Why Gen Zs and millennials are giving up their jobs en masse
Many millennials and Gen Z workers suffer from what has been called the “big burnout,” which prompts them to quit their jobs despite struggling to pay their bills.
Young workers claim they are overworked, underpaid and feel unable to handle responsibilities outside of work.
Many complain that they are “tired of working all week and having nothing for it,” while others complain that they “can’t afford vacation let alone a house.”
This has led to criticism from Boomers and Gen-Xers who label the younger generations as ‘lazy’ and ‘entitled’.
The millennial co-hosts of the Two Broke Chicks podcast, Sally and Alex, argue that the younger generations aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch.
They have shared research showing that 50 per cent of ‘prime’ Australian workers, aged between 25 and 55, are ‘exhausted’.
The millennial co-hosts of the Two Broke Chicks podcast, Sally and Alex
In addition, a third are considering quitting because they are overworked.
“Half of them don’t feel tired, not a little overworked, exhausted,” 30-year-old Sally said in the clip posted Friday.
The quick clip divided their listeners.
Many older viewers in the comments were unsympathetic and quickly took aim at young employees telling them to “toughen up.”
“Breaking news, people are getting tired,” one man joked.
That’s the norm, isn’t it? Keep going, that’s called living,” said a second viewer.
“That’s crazy, because I’m exhausted from the constant nagging!” complained a third.
Some were more sympathetic.
“I’m 60 and the demands are now a laughing stock as executives take the big bucks. The young people at my work are also exhausted,” someone added
Most Millennials and Generation-Z considered the survey data “accurate,” and many agreed that their jobs leave them feeling empty.
“Companies are cutting jobs, but still expect the same results with fewer staff,” one woman replied.
“We don’t work for anything worthwhile. Work all week, can’t afford a house, vacation or anything else that makes it worth it. Just bills,’ said another.
‘We’re exhausted. Had enough. Training is useless. While the rich get tons of money while they sit back and do nothing,” a third said angrily.
The massive exhaustion in Australian workplaces has been dubbed The Great Burnout.
A 2023 study from the University of Melbourne surveyed 1,400 workers and found that in the post-lockdown era, workers felt increasingly unmotivated, exhausted and unable to concentrate.
It was also revealed that senior-aged workers are twice as likely to feel they don’t have enough time to complete tasks outside their job, such as administration and housework.
Since the lockdowns forced many people to look for a new job, many workers are now increasingly willing to change jobs repeatedly until they find something suitable.
However, according to The Conversation, workers in Australia were less concerned with quitting their jobs than wanting to continue working from home and reluctant to take on unpaid additional responsibilities.
Families had added to the pressure juggling working from home while caring for children as schools and day care centers closed, resulting in poorer mental health.
More employees also took sick leave, putting more pressure on their colleagues.
Careers expert Sue Ellson said workers are now struggling to adapt to the faster-paced lifestyles brought about by the pandemic and figuring out how to slow down again.