From Psychologies · Ava Skoupsky · · 1m
Sophie quits dream job at 39
A 39-year-old woman leaves a career she dreamed of for years after feeling a deep emptiness.
In brief
A 39-year-old woman leaves a career she dreamed of for years after feeling a deep emptiness. Sophie, 39, quit her dream job to improve mental health after realizing her career didn't bring happiness. Originally reported by Psychologies.
Sophie's decision
Sophie, 39, quits a dream job after years of study and career progression to improve mental health.
“Je pensais que j’allais être heureuse, mais je ressentais un immense vide”
The emptiness
She felt a deep emptiness even after achieving career goals, which is more common than people think.
Science confirms
A 2005 study shows that challenging goals lead to greater satisfaction but not guaranteed happiness.
The syndrome
The 'empty life syndrome' explains feeling empty despite external success due to misaligned values.
Expert insight
Psychologist Boris Charpentier says the emptiness comes from a gap between personal values and daily life.
“On peut le résumer par un sentiment de mal-être profond qu'une personne peut ressentir en dépit des conditions extérieures dans lesquelles elle se trouve”
What next
She questions if her life matches her deep expectations after realizing career doesn't bring happiness.
Here's the gist
Sophie, 39, quit her dream job to improve mental health after realizing her career didn't bring happiness.
