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Want to quit your job? Here's how others did it — and what they learned.

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Admit it: At some point in your career, you've imagined walking into your boss's office and quitting on the spot.

It's a tempting daydream, especially in today's challenging job market, where "job hugging" has surpassed job hopping.

But leaving your job isn't always as straightforward as it might seem, especially when you're trying not to burn bridges. What's the best way to give notice, you might wonder? Is it ever a good idea to quit without your next role lined up? Is now the right time to retire, divorce your husband, and move to Italy?

Business Insider has spoken with scores of workers who decided it was time for a change. Some have regrets, but many of them found quitting to be the start of a new chapter — a chance to regroup, fight burnout, and find a more fulfilling career.

Read on to learn from their experiences.


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Julia Herbst
Julia Herbst is the senior leadership and workplace editor at Business Insider. She edits stories on a range of topics including leadership and management strategies, return-to-office mandates, and how AI is transforming the workplace.Before joining Business Insider, Julia was the Work Life editor at Fast Company where she interviewed CEOs, thought leaders, and industry change makers including Kenneth Frazier, Gretchen Carlson, and Alexis Ohanian. She also worked as a writer and editor at Los Angeles magazine.