"Life is filled with work, should I quit"?

Life is filled with work, Should I just quit?

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This thought often crosses the minds of those, like me, who feel overwhelmed and burned out by work. It’s common when the job becomes stressful, unbearable,exhausting, and relentless. While the idea of quitting from work can be tempting but it’s important one give it a deep thought carefully before making such a big decision.

Currently, I’ve been working as a Real Estate Consultant for the past nine years.

My appointments runs from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m, with some days extending to 10 p.m. For anyone familiar with the real estate work, you did know it’s as much about people as it is about properties. You have to build a solid network of contacts, from fellow agents to contractors and Clients.

Real Estate job requires a wide range of skills and patience too. You need excellent communication skills, marketing skills and negotiation abilities, alongside a deep knowledge of the local market.

One of the most rewarding aspect of being a real estate consultant is helping people find their dream land (s). There's nothing quite like the joy on a client's face when I meet my clients needs. It's truly satisfying.

Although being a real estate consultant can be exciting, especially when closing a big deal.
One thing I've grown to value in this job is the significance of networking and relationship building.

However, it’s not always smooth sailing. There are moments when I feel overwhelmed and burned out, with every fiber of my being screaming to quit.

My day starts with answering phone calls and assisting clients in person. I handle inquiries, prepare paperwork for subscribers, organize maintenance, and conduct open inspections and field work.

Posting properties online is now a daily task, as social media has become crucial for reaching a broader audience. I also monitor and seek out properties for sale, I create marketing materials, and communicate with clients and potential buyers. Real estate work often means working irregular hours especially during festive periods like Christmas, Easter, Sallah holidays when we have ongoing promo. It is a period where we slashes the prizes of our products. Clients' schedules vary during these periods, and I've found myself showing properties on weekends and evenings to accommodate their needs.

After my real estate work, I also tutor a 6 year old boy in the evenings. Balancing both jobs leaves me with little time for myself. Clients reach out to me from different time zones, so I’m often contacted late into the night, making it difficult to disconnect from work even when I’m at home.

My work has become all-consuming, leaving little room for hobbies, rest, or personal growth. I often question whether it’s worth continuing, especially when I feel burnt out. On top of that, I live in a country, Nigeria, where poverty is on the increase, and we are in the midst of an economic crisis with rising inflation. The cost of living, including rent, food, and transportation, is constantly increasing, making it difficult to survive on just one source of income.

While quitting might seem like a way for me to escape the stress, it could also bring new challenges too. The most immediate concern is losing a steady paycheck, which is crucial, especially in these hard times. Even with savings, financial security could become an issue. Additionally, finding another well-paid job could be difficult, given the high unemployment rates in Nigeria, economic hardships, and low wages offered by employers.

Quitting could also affect how others see me. In a culture like mine, where hard work is highly valued, stepping away from a job might lead to worry about how people will judge me. Here, unemployment is often regard as same with laziness and failure. Not working could also impact my sense of self-worth, and securing a new job in the current recession would be an uphill task.

Conclusion
Though, while I feel exhausted and tempted to quit, doing so would likely introduce new financial and emotional changes and challenges. Secondly, the current economic situation in Nigeria makes it nearly impossible for me to quit, especially when I am not financially stable and also not fully prepared for the consequences. With rising bills, such as the recent hike in our electricity tariffs, and the unstable cost of food, I have no choice but to continue working, even if I’m overwhelmed. My livelihood depends on it because I have bills to take care it.

I wish to invite my friends @sbamsoneu, @mandate and @divinelove