Building A Life After Traditional Work (Part 2)
Finding my way after the collapse of The Traditional Dream
Welcome to the Slow Work & Business Series!
This is a space to explore how work can feel joyful, mindful, and less overwhelming. As someone navigating life after the rush of traditional work, I’m documenting my journey—projects, lessons, and all the highs and lows. If you’re redefining work on your own terms, let’s figure it out together with heart and ease.
I still remember the day I decided to quit. It was a Thursday afternoon. Post-lunch, I sat at my desk trying to work on a campaign that I can’t even recall now. I looked at the Creative Director sitting in front of me—recovering from an appendix operation yet still at work. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave the office. His lifestyle seemed a cautionary tale: visibly unhealthy, walking lethargically, constantly smoking, and drinking away weekends.
I glanced at the air conditioner in front of me, the stillness of the afternoon, and the quiet office filled with people staring blankly at their computers. Someone was battling the urge to nap after lunch. I thought, If I continue down this road, this is my future. I’d be the Creative Director, with no time for my physical or mental well-being, trapped in a life revolving around deadlines and selling things people didn’t really need. Health would be sacrificed for work, and connection with myself would feel unreachable, perhaps leading to substance dependence.
This might sound grim, and sure, not everyone ends up like that. Some people manage to take care of themselves despite long working hours. But for me, it wasn’t just about the Creative Director’s reality; it was about the lack of meaning in the work itself. I loved writing, the creative aspects of ad campaigns, people coming together to bring an idea to reality but there was a huge disconnect with our hearts. We worked around our campaigns over working around ourselves. My entire life was structured around my job—where I lived, what I wore, what I ate (because I barely had time to cook). Even my weekends weren’t my own; they were crammed with chores like shopping, laundry, and cleaning, leaving little room for hobbies, books, or rest.
I realized that even if I became a Creative Director, I’d have monetary wealth but I will lose the wealth of time. Sure, I could afford annual vacations and buy whatever I wanted, but I wouldn’t have the freedom to travel for months, spend an entire day reading, or savor the small joys like fresh laundry, or rest as much as I would like to because rest and calm breeds effortless creativity.
That Thursday, I made a promise to myself: I would never wake up to another Monday with the blues. Instead, I’d build a life where I could read a book at noon on a Monday or make every day feel like Sunday. Anyway, life is too rich to be defined around weekdays.
It wasn’t just the Creative Director’s lifestyle that pushed me to leave traditional work; it was a culmination of many things: bad bosses, toxic work culture, and a lack of purpose in people I worked for. I loved my craft but I didn’t love how it was used and where it was being used. For all of that, I am oddly thankful. If even one of those elements had been better, I might have stayed—and regretted it. In hindsight, I’m grateful for the chaos, the poor leadership, and the dull routine. Leaving was my most courageous act, and it led to the most rewarding chapter of my life.
When I quit, I was met with uncertainty and risk. It was also a wake-up call. I had tied my identity so closely to my job that I felt worthless without it. Perhaps it’s the Asian culture, where success is often measured by monetary achievements rather than intentional living or personal contentment.
It reminded me of Convenience Store Woman (the book), where the protagonist’s entire sense of self was tied to her job. Once she left, she didn’t know who she was anymore.
I experienced a similar void, and it wasn’t pretty. Even though I had savings, a supportive family, and a roadmap, my mindset was the biggest challenge. But looking back, those days of self-reflection were necessary. They shattered old belief systems, forcing me to rebuild from scratch. What I gained during that time—resilience, clarity, and emotional skills—became my greatest strengths.
If you’re considering this journey, here’s what I would say to you:
Focus on your mindset.
Your mindset is your foundation. Take a moment to pause and reflect:
What does work mean to me? What are my values? What do I want my life to revolve around? Ideally, the answer should be you, not work. Step away from societal expectations and ask yourself how you want your life to unfold. Investigating these questions will help you anchor yourself during this massive shift. Your mindset will be your compass when everything else feels uncertain.
Build systems, not just goals.
In the early stages, outcomes may be unpredictable. Shift your focus to systems—practices that prioritize your mental well-being and health. For example, instead of saying, "I want a client by the end of the week," commit to spending 30 minutes daily on cold pitching after lunch. This approach emphasizes consistent effort over results. It brings your focus to present over future; over what you can control to what you can’t. Systems keep you grounded and create habits that sustain you through the ups and downs.
You’ll learn to navigate feelings of restlessness and inadequacy
You will feel rushed, restless and inadequate but you will also find a way to navigate these feelings in your own way and at your own pace. It is a part of embarking on a courageous journey like this. The more feelings you feel, the more you will come back to yourself. Trust in your progress, even when it feels slow.
Save for emergencies! Please do.
Not that you might need it but financial security will ease your transition. An emergency fund isn’t just practical; it gives you the mental space to take risks and explore opportunities without panic. It’s create a space of safety and assurity as you cope with so many uncertainties ahead.
Redefine your self-worth
You might feel embarrassed or "behind" because of financial constraints, especially if you’re surrounded by people who equate success with monetary wealth. Remember this: Your worth isn’t defined by your bank balance. It’s in your kindness, compassion, and how you show up for yourself and others. Money can enhance your life, but it’s not the measure of your humanity.
Self-Exploration Opportunities (From Fixed Mindset to Explorative)
One of the most rewarding aspects of stepping away from traditional work is the opportunity to explore yourself in ways you never imagined. A fixed mindset—where you define yourself by roles, achievements, or societal expectations—can limit you. But when you step into the unknown, you discover the beauty of an explorative mindset.
You’ll have the time to ask questions like: Who am I beyond my work? What are my dreams, talents, and quirks that I’ve neglected? You might rediscover forgotten passions, stumble into new hobbies, or uncover skills you didn’t know you had. Self-exploration doesn’t just redefine how you see yourself; it gives you permission to live authentically.
You Might Become An Idea-Generating Machine
One of the surprising challenges and gifts of carving your own path is the abundance of ideas that flood your mind (at least for me it did). When you’re no longer boxed into a job description, your creativity can run wild (even when you are stepping out of a creative job). While this is exhilarating, it can also feel overwhelming. You may find yourself juggling too many ideas, struggling to choose which to pursue, or feeling guilty about the ones left untouched.
This curse is also a gift—it’s a sign that your mind is fertile with possibility. The key is learning to manage this abundance (after years, I am still learning this). Keep a system to record your ideas (please keep a diary for this). Over time, you’ll develop a balance between dreaming big and staying focused.
Being Your Own Boss Comes at a Cost, But It’s So Much Fun
When you choose to work for yourself, you become both the boss and the employee. This dual role is empowering but also challenging. As the boss, you set the vision, make decisions, and hold yourself accountable (this is the hardest). As the employee, you execute the tasks, manage the daily grind, and stay disciplined.
The cost of this independence is that there’s no one else to blame when things go wrong. Deadlines, finances, and problem-solving rest entirely on your shoulders. Yet, this responsibility is where the joy lies. You learn the skills of leaders—like decision-making, strategic thinking, and self-motivation—while also cultivating the humility and diligence of a great follower.
Most importantly, being your own boss allows you to shape your work environment and lifestyle. Want to work in pajamas on a Tuesday morning? Go for it. Need to take a mid-day walk to clear your head? No one’s stopping you. This autonomy is what makes the journey so fulfilling.
This journey isn’t easy, but it’s transformative. You’ll discover strength you didn’t know you had. Your decision to choose yourself over societal expectations is an act of courage. I won’t lie it isn’t easy, but it is most rewarding. Keep going. You’re worth it.
And if you ever wake up one morning, on a Monday, with nothing on your schedule except a book waiting to be read, you’ll know you’ve succeeded. Not because you quit, but because you chose yourself.
This is the second issue of a 10-part article series exploring ideas and challenges of a Non-Traditional Work life.
Part 1 →
Part 2 →
Part 3 →
Part 4 →
Support This Work
I’m on a mission to turn my non-traditional work lifestyle into a self-sustaining system that supports my dreams of traveling, writing books, and working on fun, creative, and sassy projects with amazing humans like you. If this resonates with you and you want to support Kaus’ Postcards, here’s how you can help:
If you (or someone you know)—women solopreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, yoga teachers, or therapists—needs help building their online brand (social media) or organizing business systems so you can focus on what you love—teaching yoga, creating art, or guiding clients, I'd love to hear your story and see how I can help.
I’ve also created a free Notion workspace template for yoga teachers, you are most welcome to try it out here → Yoga Teacher Business Dashboard
I hope you’re enjoying Kaus’ Postcards. I started this publication to cultivate a writing practice and connect with people through my writing. I’ve decided that after my 100th post, I will open the publication for monetary support. Currently at 68/100.