Quotes

20 Bittersweet Quotes For When You’re Leaving A Job You Love

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quotes about leaving a job

There’s this stereotype that everyone hates their job, no matter what it is. That they just can’t stand being there anymore and would quit in a heartbeat. Well, that’s not always the case.

There are people who love their job so much that they would rather not quit it for a new one, which makes leaving it even more difficult when a new employment opportunity comes that's too hard to pass up.

Some people actually love their job for different reasons. Sometimes we love a job because we enjoy what we do. Other times we love our job because of the friendships we made along the way. Regardless, loving a job so much that you don't want to leave it for a new one, isn’t as rare as it seems.

Sometimes, we reach a point where we need to move on from where we started. We feel like we’re at a standstill, and we crave some change and adventure.

That sense for a change could mean moving on to a different job for a new employment opportunity.

Getting up and leaving behind a place we loved and found comfort in hurts. We grew as a person as we worked, made memories, had laughs, and made friendships we vow to cherish forever.

Our coworkers became friends that helped keep us motivated and inspired, even on our bad days — and we can’t thank them enough for all the times they were there for us.

This is a scary concept; moving on and doing a brand new thing. We’re scared, yet so excited. But not only are we absolutely ecstatic, but we’re also sad.

Our job was more like a hobby for us, rather than a chore. But we realized, we had overstayed our welcome — and it’s time for something new.

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The unsettling mix of sadness and joy you’re feeling is normal. Leaving somewhere you grew to love for something new feels wrong, but just know that it’s for the best, and it’s what you have to do.

To battle your negative thoughts about leaving your old job for a new one, here are 20 bittersweet quotes to help you cope with leaving a job you came to love.

1. “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss

Be thankful for the memories you made.

2. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

You have to end some things to move on to bigger and better things.

3. “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”

It may be scary, but it's time to make a change anyway.

4. “Sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful.” — Beau Taplin

The end of something doesn't have to be ugly.

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5. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — A.A. Milne, "Winnie The Pooh"

Goodbyes are hard when you grew to love what you're leaving.

6. “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.”

It's time to go on with your life.

7. "Do more than just exist."

Don't settle for less just because you're comfortable where you're at.

8. “Sometimes life is about risking everything for a dream no one can see but you.”

Remind yourself that you're leaving to reach your ultimate goals.

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9. “There are far better things ahead than we ever leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis

A reminder that there is always something better ahead of you.

10. “Today I close the door to my past, open the door to my future, take a deep breath, and step through a new life.”

There's a new adventure out there waiting for you.

11. “We must accept the end of something in order to begin to build something new.”

Take all the time you need, but you have to accept the end and move on.

12. “You can’t always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes, you have to dare to do it because life is too short to wonder what could’ve been.”

Don't worry, you're making the right move.

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13. “You may not always end up where you thought you were going. But you will always end up where you are meant to be.”

You're not leaving because you want to, you're leaving because you have to.

14. “Just because something ends doesn’t mean it never should’ve been. Remember, you lived, you learned, you grew and you moved on.”

Hold on to your memories.

15. “Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again!”

This doesn't have to be the end of a friendship.

16. “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with another hello.” — Paulo Coehlo

Leaving something behind is hard, but it's also rewarding.

17. “You never really leave the place you love. You take part of it with you and leave part of you there.”

Don't forget how this experience shaped you as a person.

18. “You get a strange feeling when you leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love, but you miss the person you are at this time and place because you’ll never be this way ever again.” — Azar Nafasi

You're leaving an era of your life behind you, and that's OK.

19. “And suddenly you just know it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.”

You know deep down it's time to go.

20. “I thank you for your part in my journey.”

Never forget the people you met and the friends you made.

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Caitlin Butkiewicz is a frequent contributor to YourTango and has had work featured in BuzzFeed. Follow her on Twitter for more.