I Quit My Six-Figure Job to Work at a Bookstore

I Quit My Six-Figure Job to Work at a Bookstore. I've Never Been Richer.

When I walked into my boss's office and handed in my resignation, I could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. I was leaving a six-figure salary, benefits, and a career path that many would envy. On paper, I had everything most people strive for—success, financial security, the approval of my peers. But inside, I felt empty. And the thing that most people didn’t know, or understand, was that I had come to hate what I did.

I spent years climbing the corporate ladder, each rung I ascended bringing more stress, more expectations, and, oddly, less satisfaction. What was supposed to be the dream job had become a nightmare. I was constantly chasing the next promotion, the next raise, but I wasn’t chasing happiness. I was chasing something that didn’t exist.

The turning point came one rainy afternoon when I found myself stuck in traffic, my thoughts running in circles about work deadlines and the upcoming meeting that I didn’t care about. I looked out the window at a small bookstore nestled on the corner, its windows inviting and warm, the promise of a different kind of life hidden behind those bookshelves. I had always loved books. They had been my escape, my comfort, the one constant in my life. But somehow, in the hustle of climbing the corporate ladder, I had forgotten about the things that truly mattered to me.

That night, after the usual dinner with friends where I pretended everything was fine, I made the decision that changed my life. I called my manager the next day and handed in my resignation. I didn’t have another job lined up, but I knew in my heart that I needed to make a drastic change. I walked into that bookstore a few weeks later, not knowing exactly what I was getting into, but knowing I couldn’t keep living a life that wasn’t mine.

The first few weeks were terrifying. I had no clue how to live on a bookstore salary. I had to adjust my lifestyle drastically—cut back on dinners out, give up the expensive gym membership, and learn how to live without the cushion of a six-figure income. But what I found, however, was that I didn’t need those things. I didn’t need the stress of board meetings or the endless pursuit of a promotion to feel fulfilled. What I needed was peace, connection, and purpose—and that’s exactly what I found in the bookstore.

In the years that followed, I learned that richness isn't measured by money. It’s measured by the quality of your days, the depth of your relationships, and the joy you find in the simplest moments. Every morning, I wake up excited to go to work. I get to be surrounded by books, talk to people who share my love for literature, and contribute to a space that feels like home. I’ve found peace in doing something that feels meaningful.

I don’t make nearly as much money as I did before, but I’ve never felt richer. My life is full in ways that my old job never allowed. I am present. I am content. And, most importantly, I am free.

Our world today is obsessed with wealth and success, and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. But for me, true wealth is living a life that reflects your values—one that nourishes your soul and brings you genuine happiness. Walking away from my six-figure job wasn’t a step backward. It was a leap forward into the life I was always meant to live.