Why I quit my job to pursue joy

A few years ago, I realized something that changed my life: success at work meant nothing if I couldn’t create success at home. I was trapped in a relentless cycle of long hours—waking up at 5 AM, rushing to my morning job at 6, heading straight to my day job from 9:30 until 6:30, and finishing my night job at 10. I was barely home. The rare moments I spoke to my wife were rushed, distracted, and squeezed in as I was on my way out the door. I wasn’t truly listening, and I couldn’t express myself either. Our communication was as short as our time together, and joy felt like a distant memory in our marriage. Then I made a bold decision—I quit the job that was stealing my time, focus, and energy to pursue joy where it mattered most: in my marriage. Because here’s the truth: Joy doesn’t just happen. You create it. Now, I wake up every morning with a simple but powerful routine: I make coffee for my wife while she’s still in bed. I bring her the coffee and sit on the glider I bought for her when we had our second daughter—so she’d be comfortable during those long nights of nursing. We sit together: she in bed, me in the glider, drinking coffee, and simply connecting. No distractions, no rush, no thinking about tomorrow. Just listening, understanding, and being present. It’s the most enjoyable feeling for both of us. But joy isn’t limited to the mornings. We take a walk together almost every day, and sometimes I’ll walk into the house and just start talking—no agenda, no urgency—just to connect. These small, consistent actions have transformed our marriage Action Step for Today Day 10: Prepare their favorite meal. Put effort and love into making something they enjoy. Because joy grows in the little moments—when you pause, connect, and show you care. Joy isn’t far away—it’s right there waiting for you to create it.