It’s official.

Last March, I told my boss I was leaving and heading to Africa in 2027. We planned to tell everyone else later this fall. And while I waited, I started preparations. A move back to Chicago. Flights and lodging booked. Money spent. Every payday, I would look at my spreadsheets. My balances shrinking. Expenses growing.

This fall came sooner than I planned. Now everyone knows. I’m not sure it matters though since my boss already started spending the salary savings. Or maybe it’s because I’ve already spent half of my total budget for the year.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still uncertain if leaving my full-time job for a year of uncertainty was the right path. Ask AI, it can confirm.