How I Quit My Corporate Job & Got A Work From Home Full-Time Job in the Philippines

I always get asked what am I doing now after I resigned from my corporate job last June 2019. And then when I tell them that I work from home now, I get either a puzzled look or even more questions.

Imagine these past few weeks, in all the Christmas/holiday reunions I’ve been to, it’s all I’m asked! In fact, I realized I should write a blog post about it since it seems like an interesting topic. So here it is!

It’s also quite a bit timely cos we’re nearing the end of 2019, so this will also be some sort of look back to the crazy year it has been for me. So many new changes, so many endings, and new beginnings.

Keep on reading to know how I got my work from home stint!

For starter, I quit my corporate job in June 2019 – something most people did not see coming and came as a big shock (honestly, even for me). Our GM was even trying to stop me at some point (half-jokingly, of course). I also got so many “Aww bakit? Sayang naman!” remarks. After all, why in the world will I give up such a coveted job in the top aesthetic company in the Philippines that pays well and have so many perks, right? Riiiight.

But to tell you the truth, I have been contemplating about leaving ever since late 2018. I know if I never bite the bullet then, I will just regret it for the rest of my life. There is this side of me that wanted a fresh start. Maybe I just got burned out. Maybe I needed a change of environment. Maybe I wasn’t happy anymore. Most people also go through this stage in their life and it’s just normal, isn’t it? If not, then good for you!

All I know was I wanted to escape, to travel around Europe, to fulfill my dream of traveling alone. To just breathe and live in the moment. Yes, that might sound shallow and even selfish to you. But it really is my dream and I thought hey, quite a bit timely cos I turned 30 this year too so why not go chase what I truly wanted!

Even though it seemed like a rash decision, I actually had a plan long before I handed my resignation letter. I already saved up enough money and I also prepared myself mentally and emotionally months before.

Only here’s the plot twist – it didn’t work out as planned. I was supposed to fly to Belgium but my visa got denied so my European dream is postponed for now. I was bummed out, of course. I already spent so much time, money, and effort for nothing.

However, instead of sulking nonstop, I took it as a sign that maybe this was just a detour – an unexpected pit-stop to prepare me for bigger things ahead.

Suddenly, I had so much FREE time at my disposal. Something I’ve never had the luxury of for the past 8 years or so I’ve been working straight (at one point, I was even working full time during the day and finishing my master’s degree at night).

So you know what I did with all my new-found spare time? I upgraded my marketing skills! I learned more about SEO, social media marketing, paid ads, and other digital marketing skills. I took in as much new knowledge as I can.

If there’s one helpful tip I can give, this has got to be it. Always level up your skills. There are so many free and paid online courses you can check for whatever field you’re in… Google is your friend! 🤓   

I also applied for work from home online jobs (thinking I didn’t want to go back to corporate just yet). And guess what? I got lucky! I was offered a full-time work from home aka remote job after weeks of searching. I was hesitant at first because it’s my first time ever doing this whole work from home thing and what if it’s just a scam? I had so many worst-case scenarios running through my head at the time.

ALSO READ: Work From Home Everything You Need to Know About Online Jobs PH and 3 Tips How To Get Hired Quickly

But the 13th-month pay, the fact that I’m entitled to paid Philippine holidays (they’re a company based in HK and Japan so technically they’re not required), and of course the $$$ pay – they all seemed too tempting to pass. Not to mention I’ll be doing similar digital marketing work as my previous jobs, only this time I get to work from home.

ALSO READ: Legit Work From Home Online Jobs You Can Do While On Coronavirus Lockdown

You know what? Life really does have a funny way of making things work out. It’s like the stars aligned. It’s too good to be true. It’s already going to be my 5^th month this coming January. To this day I still can’t believe it’s possible to work from home and that it turned out pretty well for me.

Of course, there are some work from home cons like I miss having actual officemates and the whole office vibes (sometimes I miss dressing up for work too HAHA), and I now have to process my own tax, PAG-IBIG, SSS, and other mandatory adulting stuff, but the pros far outweighed the cons.

I’m so happy I only have to work from 8 AM to 5 PM (gone are the days I’m the last one in the office LOL), no more unnecessary long meetings that otherwise can be tackled through email (honestly, meetings can drain so much energy and mostly a waste of time ~ sorry not sorry! ~), no more hours wasted in traffic too, and most of all, I get to spend more time with my elderly parents.

ALSO READ: 10 Tips On How To Work From Home Productively That You Should Do

So yeah, 2019 really had a lot of unexpected turn of events for me. I’m not saying you jump ship like what I did and start looking for work from home jobs. But it helps to acknowledge what you truly wanted in life and try to chase them.

ALSO READ: 5 Work From Home Essentials To Keep You Focused

I still don’t have everything figured out, for sure. I still wish to fulfill my European dream and to travel alone. I also wish to have my own business someday. I have many more on my bucket list.

Anyway, I guess I’ll end this post with another BossBabe quote. Cliche as it may be, I hope it will inspire you. ✨

Whatever your dreams and goals in life may be, just start. Start small, start doing something, start doing anything to be one step closer to it. You will never know what you are truly capable of until you try. So on that note, wishing you all a great 2020 – where all your dreams, big or small, may finally come true! 😘

Btw, if losing weight is one of your goals this new year, you might find this article I wrote helpful – 5 Tips On How You Can Start Losing Excess Weight Now. If you want to travel the world on a budget, check this out – 7 Cebu Pacific Seat Sale Hacks That 100% Worked for Me.

So there you have it! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below! Or send me a DM via my Instagram and Facebook page. Till my next post!