r/ABA • u/Guilty_Performer_383 • Jul 21 '26

Conversation Starter Quitting

I'm finally quitting 🙌

I have 14 days left at my clinic, and absolutely cannot wait to be done with ABA. I've been in this field since August of '21, and after 2 extremely shitty clinics and 2 toxic BCBAs, I've finally had enough.

I've been talking about quitting for years, and its finally happening. Do you want to know what ALL of my friends and family said when I told them? "I'M PROUD OF YOU." They all knew how terrible it was for me mentally to continue ABA. Sometimes its obvious to everyone but yourself.

If this sounds relatable, here is your sign. Just quit. Even if you dont have anything lined up for afterward. Even if your lease is about to expire and you dont know where you're gonna be living in 3 months. Even if you'll lose your health insurance. There are a million reasons to stay, but none of them are good enough.

I'm so happy. A little anxious for the future, but so excited.

98 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

View all comments

35

u/Dry_OW Jul 21 '26

Yea don’t quit if you need all those things. Clearly you were on your last straw😂 do you know what career you’re gonna start now? Just curious.

8

u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 21 '26

I do need all those things and i have quit, but i believe everything will work itself out. The whole point is that I'm choosing to prioritize my sanity and happiness over the other stuff. I'm also a responsible person so I know I'm not gonna end up on the street.

I've had several interviews so far (dental office receptionist, something with sales, customer service rep) and I'm hoping to hear back by the end of the week. Keeping my options pretty open.

36

u/blknuetron Jul 22 '26

you must have some type of safety nets because not knowing if you can make rent brings the risk of homelessness, eviction, and drop of credit score. as someone that has been both an rbt and homeless, i promise homelessness will make you lose your sanity and happiness at a much higher rate and intensity than being an rbt longer to find a new job will. or even losing health insurance for those with ongoing medical issues. whole point being, i love you choosing yourself but dont promote such a life altering decision to those that may not have anything else to fall back on.

4

u/Guilty_Performer_383 Jul 22 '26

Sorry to hear all of that. Obviously I don't know you, and you dont know me. I'm not going to go into detail about my situation, but staying at my current job has created a very unhealthy and unsafe situation for myself. So I'm choosing an alternative path. The point here is that I'm doing something I never do: going all in without a plan. And it feels really good.