

Looking at the title of this article, some of you might already have an answer in mind: No! Absolutely not. No way. That would just be foolish, right? Who would give up their steady paycheck in the middle of the healthcare apocalypse? But the truth is, it's a little more complicated than that. Given we spend the majority of our time at work on a daily basis, it's important to consider more than just the paycheck and benefits when you are assessing whether or not you should quit your job right now. If you're in the midst of making this decision, I've got you covered with some key things to think about or act on before taking the leap:
1.Consider why you want to quit your job.
Is it for a better opportunity? Is it due to a toxic work environment? Are you trying to avoid upcoming layoffs? Are you simply no longer happy? Is your mental health being affected? Determine the real reason you want to leave. It's important to be as honest with yourself as possible.
2.Evaluate other options before leaving.
It's easy to hopscotch right into handing in a resignation, but I recommend evaluating what else can be done before walking out. All organizations have their challenges, and if the challenges where you are can be resolved, it saves you from taking on new issues at a company you're not familiar with. If it's your work subject matter that presents the issue, discuss your role with your manager to see if there are opportunities to shift your focus.
If your workload has increased significantly and you are unable to meet the new requirements, discuss with your supervisor what work needs to be prioritized, and what work can be distributed to the rest of the team. If it's an issue with your direct supervisor, investigate whether you can be moved to another team within the organization.
3.Determine your game plan.
Create a defined path forward for leaving your job. Identify the companies and specific positions you may want to pursue. Conduct a self-evaluation to assess the work that you will find fulfilling in a new role. Take an inventory of your existing network and current connections to determine who may be able to make introductions at your potential employers or help you secure the new position. It's also important to revise your career documents (resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter) to align with the positions you are applying for, incorporating relevant experiences and accomplishments to ensure you will be able to stand out in the candidate pool.
4.Assess your financial stability.
Are you in a place right now where you can be unemployed for a period of time? Unless you have another secured offer in place in writing, quitting your job can prove to be risky from a financial standpoint. Determine whether or not you can take on the financial burden of being without employment for an undefined period of time, given there is no guarantee of when you will be able to lock in a new role. Evaluate whether you have an adequate amount of savings to sustain you while you're unemployed, as the job search can take anywhere from three to six months. If not, you may want to consider holding out at your workplace a little longer.
5.Evaluate the mental and emotional toll of finding new work.
Given 2020 was an extremely difficult year, and 2021 may not see much improvement until probably Q2 or Q3, determine whether you are ready to take on the emotional impact of a job search and starting a new role. It takes time to get up to speed in a new role, earn credibility, and build new experience. Therefore, evaluate whether or not quitting your current role will bring you additional anxiety and stress in the midst of the pandemic.
So if you were seeking an easy "yes" or "no" answer to the question "Should you quit your job during a pandemic?", there isn't one. It truly is a personal decision based on your personal and professional goals. Yes, you can absolutely quit your job successfully during the pandemic because companies are still hiring, but it does require you to take time to evaluate your choices and weigh your options before leaving your job.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Shutterstock
- Quit Your Job The Right Way - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love ... ›
- 4 Things To Keep In Mind Before You Say "I Quit" - xoNecole ... ›
- Don't Quit Your Day Job: 7 Life Lessons Your Employer Is Teaching ... ›
- Don't Quit Your Day Job: 7 Life Lessons Your Employer Is Teaching ... ›
- I Quit My Job To Travel On A Year Of Savings - xoNecole: Women's ... ›
- The Great Resignation Of 2021, Women Leaving Workforce - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- 4 Things To Keep In Mind Before You Say "I Quit" - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- You Quit Your Job, Now What? From Corporate To Entrepreneur - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole