A young Australian who earns six figures a year has revealed why he's “tired” of his high-paying job and what prompted him to try and “retire”.
A man was killed and over 70 injured on a Singapore Airlines flight, a New Zealand man was fined $600 for performing an underwater act, Kelly Rowland clashed with a security guard, and The Project aired some pretty adult jokes.
Despite having a mortgage to pay, the Brisbane resident has decided to stop working in 2023 because it's no longer what she wanted.
“I'd been through Covid and I was fed up. I wasn't enjoying it. Everything in my life was going well and I've never been more unhappy,” she told news.com.au.
Sperta worked in marketing, a job that offered flexibility but ultimately meant she was always at the mercy of clients and their different needs.
After six years in the same job and 10 years in the industry, she realized she needed to quit, even though she knew it might seem “reckless” to quit, especially when she'd just bought her first home.
Sophie Spelta quit her high-paying job. Photo: TikTok/sofiesparkless
She needed a change. Photo: TikTok/sofiesparkless
For this young Australian, the decision to quit a high-paying job came down to maths.
“I was making more money than I ever thought I'd make, so I just calculated how much I needed to pay the mortgage and live,” she said.
Sperta said he wanted to take a few months off work to enjoy a sense of “retirement” before returning to work.
She documented her journey online as she went from working full-time to embracing a slower pace of life, and a typical day now includes a hearty breakfast, running with friends, and enjoying life.
Although she realizes she is “fortunate” to have the choice to step away from a nine-to-five job, she has reached a point where a change is necessary.
The young worker said he suffered “meritocracy” where he was given more and more work because he was good at his job.
Eventually, she became exhausted and burned out.
“When I was younger, I set a lot of goals and wanted to progress quickly, but when the time comes, I wonder, 'Am I OK? Will I have time for friends and family?'” she said.
She is the co-founder of the running club. Photo: TikTok/sofiesparkless
Young Australians want more work-life balance. Photo: TikTok/sofiesparkless
Eventually, Sperta decided she just wasn't OK. She wanted to have time to invest in other things, like the running club she co-founded with one of her best friends.
“I'm not someone who lives to work. I want to have a good job and have time to enjoy life,” she said.
Sperta initially planned to take a few months off, but then started doing freelance work and realized that flexibility would allow her to advance her career without frustration.
“I was planning to take a few months off and then go back to full-time work. People are now asking for freelance work. I have clients and it's very flexible. I'm going on holiday to Bali and will be working there as well,” she explained.
Sophie believes it's becoming a trend for young people to quit their jobs. Photo: TikTok
Sperta's job change is part of a growing trend.
“I've spoken to a lot of people who have done the same thing. A lot of my friends have migrated overseas, but they're not migrating for work, they're migrating for a living,” she said.
She believes the impact of the pandemic has led young people to make up for “lost time” and prioritise lifestyle over career.
Ben Thompson, CEO of Employment Hero, said young people leaving work was a normal part of work and something we all needed to accept.
“The days of employees staying in unsatisfying roles are over, with almost one in 10 workers having changed employers in the past year,” he said.
Thompson said workers were reassessing their priorities and their jobs were at the heart of that review.
“Today's workers are not afraid to move jobs quickly if their job doesn't align with their career prospects or values, or if it undermines their well-being,” he said.
