What to Do When You’re Jealous of People Who Quit Their 9–5

Because we’re happy for them… but also a little triggered.

You ever see someone post, “I finally quit my 9–5!” and suddenly feel that weird gut twist?

We want to be happy for them.
We are happy for them.

But also?

There’s this quiet tension in our chest.
The thought we don’t want to admit:
“Damn. I wish that were me.”

Because while they’re out celebrating their leap, we’re still showing up to jobs that drain us.
Still juggling meetings, mortgages, and mental load.
Still trying to build our dreams at 9pm after we’ve been everyone else’s reliable rock.

And sure—we’re working on it.
We have a plan. A vision. A path forward.

But it’s not instant.
And watching someone else break free can stir up a mix of…

• Shame (“Why am I still here?”)

• Resentment (“Must be nice...”)

• Urgency (“I’m falling behind.”)

• Guilt (“I should just be happy for them.”)

...or am I the only on who experiences this?

When That Jealousy Hits

I’ve learned to stop judging the feeling—and start listening to it.

Jealousy isn’t proof that I’m petty or behind.
It’s proof that something in me wants more.

More freedom.
More peace.
More control over my time.
More room to exhale.

That feeling?
It’s not weakness.
It’s awareness.

So now what?

What do we do when we know we’re not ready to leap… but we’re also not okay with staying where we are?

Let’s Talk Strategy…

In the second half of this post (for paid subscribers), we’ll walk through:

• 1 mindset reframe to soften the spiral

• 1 micro-strategy to reclaim energy and agency

• 1 stealth mission to protect your peace while you build

• A short journaling prompt to move through the ache without rushing the exit

It’s possible to support someone else’s freedom and grieve our own delay.
It’s possible to build slowly without shaming the pace.
It’s possible to be in process and still be powerful.

Join me on the other side. We’re figuring it out together.