Sustaining a job is important, but taking care of your mental health is equally important. If your workplace has turned out to be a nightmare for you, it’s a cue for you to start making decisions and find out what’s best for you.
In Klang Valley, it’s tough to survive with only the minimum wage, and some are still struggling with a monthly wage of RM3,000 given the number of commitments. However, a Malaysian woman recently decided to bid farewell to her RM3,700 job in the project management field and welcome her new job as a convenience store assistant. However, her new job earns her only RM1,500.
To her, the grass is greener at the new place because her mental health has seen major improvements since she left her previous job.
“I was on call 24/7 but not anymore”
In a post on Malaysianpaygap‘s Instagram’s page, the 35-year-woman said that her previous job had her on call 24/7, and that meant working on public holidays too.
“People would look for you all the time, and all projects were on a tight deadline.”
After realising her mental health was at stake, she quit the job and landed herself in her current job, which pays less than half of what she used to earn. Despite so, she does not see it as an issue and in fact, she’s happier. One of the things that excites her is how close her workplace is to home – 2 minutes walking distance to the convenience store just below her apartment!
“My salary is much lesser but I’m feeling better mentally and somehow, physically”, she admitted.
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She now doesn’t need to worry about getting constant calls from clients about deadlines. Ironically, she saves a lot with her current pay.
“Once my shift is over, it’s over. I cook more at home now to save money. Even with significantly lesser salary, I managed to live within my means.”
“I see myself doing this in the future”
The post has received praise from many Malaysians who complimented her for putting her mental health first. Some netizens also related to her and said it’s a possibility for them to do the same in the future.
Work can be hectic at times, but that does not mean your mental health should be abandoned completely just for the sake of making a living. Fellow Malaysians, how are you coping with your jobs so far? Do you see yourself settling for a lower paying job as long as you’re happier?
Also read: Dream of Working in S’pore? M’sian Explains Why Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side
