The Hard Decision to Walk Away
There comes a time in life when you must choose to walk away. Not because it’s easy, but because staying costs too much of who you are. Walking away means leaving the familiar, confronting doubt, and accepting that some may not understand your decision. Yet when an environment begins to shrink your sense of self, you owe it to yourself to step aside. Growth often starts with the courage to let go. This was going to be yet another turning point on my journey.
After working in the same role for 7.5 years, I realised it was time to move on. Why? Because every attempt to negotiate fair pay had failed. It began when my request for on-call payments that truly reflected my worth was rejected. I was expected to accept less than a quarter of my hourly rate — something I simply couldn’t agree to.
Knowing Your Worth and Valuing Life Energy
Inspired by Vicki Robin’s Your Money or Your Life, I asked myself: “Am I getting full value for this precious resource called life energy?” Valuing my life energy means honouring my time, effort, and expertise. I wasn’t willing to settle for less. Ironically, the employer I’m moving to now is one I walked away from five years ago: after being lowballed at half my worth. Fast-forward to today, I was headhunted by the same organisation with an offer 1.3 times higher than my previous rate. Sometimes walking away is what earns you the respect you deserved all along. I was able to increase income by moving on.
Financial Independence Creates freedom
Financial independence isn’t just about numbers. It’s about having options. Because I’ve built savings and investments over time, I could walk away without fear. Even if no new opportunity had been waiting, I still would have left. That’s what freedom looks like: the ability to make choices aligned with your values, not your fears. When you know your worth and it’s not recognised, trust that another door will open. The right opportunities will meet you where your value is seen and appreciated.
Reflection
Have you ever stayed somewhere that no longer valued your contribution? What would it look like to honour your worth, even if it meant walking away?