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Seattle, WA
USA

Tandem Powered offers a full suite of Professional Resume Writing, Career Development, and HR / Business Consulting services.

Why Are We Still Doing That? – Why Are We Still Not Quitting?

Blog / Podcast

Our blog and podcast dive into the real stories and everyday strategies behind building a No Vacation Required life. We challenge outdated norms, share fresh perspectives, and explore what it means to find fulfillment right now—in a world that rarely makes it easy.

Why Are We Still Doing That? – Why Are We Still Not Quitting?

No Vacation Required

The Power of Quitting: Breaking Free from the "Stick With It" Trap

Why do we treat quitting as a dirty word? From cultural programming that labels quitters as "losers" to the identity shame that keeps us stuck in toxic environments, we tackle the deep-seated stigma around walking away. We explore why we stay in situations way past their expiration dates – whether it’s a job, a relationship, or even a book club – and how to reclaim quitting as an act of self-trust and alignment.

Drawing on personal stories of navigating layoffs and hostile work environments, we break down the "sunk cost" mindset and the social pressures that keep us small. Learn how to build your "quitting muscles" through micro-quits, how to support others in their transitions, and why staying unhappy is never a noble sacrifice.

Onward and Inward,

CHAPTERS:

  • (00:00) The cultural stigma of quitting

  • (00:25) Mind Share: Cozy season in Seattle and the silence of Taylor Swift

  • (05:52) Navigating layoffs and the vulnerability of the workforce

  • (09:52) A story of standing your ground at work

  • (12:12) Refusing to play by the old rules

  • (14:45) Logistics, sunk costs, and the "good girl" myth

  • (19:08) Practicing micro-quits and body signals

  • (23:06) Validating clarity over groupthink

  • (25:42) Why staying unhappy isn't noble

  • (26:44) Worth the Time: Breaking up with identities and expectations

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

  • Staying Unhappy is Not Noble: Many of us were raised to believe that enduring misery is a sign of character, but sacrificing your well-being for a situation that doesn't serve you is not a virtue.

  • The Sunk Cost Fallacy: Putting time and energy into something is not a legitimate reason to stay if the situation has become unhealthy or stagnant.

  • Practice "Micro-Quits": Build your confidence by opting out of small obligations that drain you—declining an invitation or leaving a party early—to prepare for the bigger life shifts.

  • Growth vs. Depletion: Learn to distinguish between the healthy discomfort that leads to personal growth and the soul-crushing misery that leads to total depletion.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

  • YouFinder Personality and Strengths Assessment

  • Book: All the Cool Girls Get Fired by Emily Tisch Sussman and Tiana Lowe

  • Practice: Body Signal Check-in (Identifying dread, exhaustion, or resentment)

SUPPORT NO VACATION REQUIRED:

If this episode gave you the permission you needed to walk away from what no longer serves you, please leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube! It is the best way to help our message reach more people.