# Sophie quits dream job at 39

> A 39-year-old woman leaves a career she dreamed of for years after feeling a deep emptiness.
- Title: Sophie quits dream job at 39 · Psychologies | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: sophie, mental health, career, dream job, psychology, psychologies, quits, dream, job
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/moi/moi-et-les-autres-moi/Je-pensais-que-jallais-etre-heureuse-mais-je-ressentais-un-immense-vide-642492
- Author: Ava Skoupsky
- Published: 2026-10-05T09:27:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sophie, mental health, career, dream job, psychology, 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.
## Key takeaway

Sophie, 39, quit her dream job to improve mental health after realizing her career didn't bring happiness.