This one’s been sitting in my drafts for a while—not because I didn’t want to write it, but because I needed time to process everything before putting it out there. But today, with a clear mind and a happy heart, I’m ready to talk about why I walked away from my full-time job at a digital agency.

Let’s rewind a little.

If you’ve ever worked in the agency world, you know how fast-paced and demanding it can be. Deadlines, last-minute changes, late-night pings—it comes with the territory. I was okay with that. I signed up for the hustle. But what I didn’t sign up for? Micromanagement. A toxic work environment. And a boss who confused “leadership” with control.

Here’s the thing: I was working under a female manager who, for context, was the same age as me. At first, I thought it would be great—women supporting women, right? Wrong. Turns out, not everyone is cut out to manage people with empathy and respect. The constant nitpicking, the passive-aggressive messages, the need to have control over every single task, no matter how minor—it was exhausting. And demoralizing.

There was one particular moment that really sealed the deal for me. I was working as the social media manager when my boss casually handed me a task on an ongoing client project—one that had been in motion for over a year. I hadn’t been briefed properly, didn’t have the background or context, and when I asked questions, I was met with vague replies and thinly veiled annoyance. Despite being set up for failure, I was still expected to deliver—on time, perfectly, and with zero support. When things didn’t go exactly as planned, she threw me under the bus without hesitation. That moment wasn’t just unprofessional—it was humiliating.

Micromanagement doesn’t just kill creativity—it chips away at your confidence. You start second-guessing yourself, questioning if you’re even good at what you do. And that’s exactly where I found myself: creatively drained, mentally exhausted, and emotionally depleted. The worst part? I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.

So, I quit.

I didn’t have a master plan or a backup job waiting for me. I just knew I needed to get out before I lost the joy I once had for my work. Walking away was scary. But also… incredibly freeing.

Since then, I’ve taken time to unlearn the bad habits that toxic work environments teach you—like over-explaining yourself, apologizing for everything, and tying your worth to your productivity. I’ve reconnected with my passions, learned to slow down, and most importantly, found peace.

To anyone stuck in a job that’s sucking the life out of them: you are not crazy. You’re not weak for wanting out. And you don’t need to stay just because you’ve invested time or energy into something that no longer serves you. Protect your peace. Always.

You deserve to work in a place where you feel valued, respected, and trusted.

And if no one’s told you that recently—consider this your gentle reminder from a friend (and a mentor in the making): life’s too short for soul-sucking jobs. You’re meant for better, brighter things.