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Six Torontonians who traded their full-time jobs for happiness

I Quit

Some people were forced to reinvent themselves because of the pandemic. Others decided they just wanted to. Memoirs from six Torontonians who traded their full-time jobs for happiness

Interviews by Samantha Edwards, Isabel B. Slone, Rebecca Tucker and Andrea Yu| Photography by Vanessa Heins

| January 12, 2022

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Stories From The Big Quit

Why this former account manager gave up his six-figure job to make kimchi

Why this former account manager gave up his six-figure job to make kimchi

"I realized I wanted to live my life in a way that reflected how important my mother had been to me"

This lawyer gave up his partnership in a top-tier firm to find happiness

This lawyer gave up his partnership in a top-tier firm to find happiness

"I was probably working 60 hours a week. Now it’s more like 40, so I have time for two side hustles"

I quit my desk job and opened a Pilates studio in Corktown

I quit my desk job and opened a Pilates studio in Corktown

"I was pretty miserable. And it got worse over the pandemic once I became stuck at home"

"I'd break down in tears as soon as I got home": Why this nurse left the profession for good

“I’d break down in tears as soon as I got home”: Why this nurse left the profession for good

"I was skipping all of my lunches and breaks, and I still couldn't get everything done"

I gave up my career as a TD executive to become a florist

I gave up my career as a TD executive to become a florist

"I’m earning $17 an hour as a junior designer"

This accountant had to give up her career during the pandemic. Now she designs modular kids' toys

This accountant had to give up her career during the pandemic. Now she designs modular kids’ toys

"I found a product designer based in Paris who could turn my drawings into 3-D foam renderings"

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