cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/51122665

Why would someone with a good job want to leave, and still be afraid to quit?

Hey, I'm Damon. I’m 31, and I work as a chip engineer in Shenzhen, China. The pay is decent, and I get weekends off—at least on paper.But is this job really as good as it sounds?

This Sunday, my girlfriend and I spend the afternoon at a free public library near my home. Along the way, I will share you how I entered China’s chip industry, what this job has given me, why leaving feels so risky, and how work has shaped our plans for marriage after 17 years together.

If a job gave you stability but kept taking away your time, would you stay? What would you do in my position?

Chapters: 00:00 - A “Good Job” at 31: Why I’m Afraid to Quit 00:47 - A Free Public Library: Why I Study Here Every Sunday 01:54 - I Got Lucky: From Physics to China’s Chip Industry 03:12 - Why I Quit My First Job and Moved to Shenzhen 04:12 - 9-to-6 on Paper, 24/7 On Call in Reality 05:37 - Planning My Next Move—Without Quitting My Job 06:40 - A Library Card in Minutes: Borrowing and Disinfecting Books 07:20 - 17 Years Together: Why We Still Haven’t Married 09:11 - Another Sunday Goodbye: Coming Home Alone 09:48 - One Last Run Before Monday