Woman Quits Stressful Corporate Job to Pursue Passion, Doesn't Go to Plan

Ocean LeClair's dream of escaping the relentless corporate grind to embrace a gentler life with more creative flair as a florist had—to her own surprise—ended in complete disillusionment.

Her experience reflects a growing trend among young people who are leaving high-pressure jobs for what they hope will be more fulfilling roles in fields that have been deemed as more flexible and forgiving.

"I'm a musician based in London," LeClair told Newsweek.

She had previously held a comfortable position in the corporate art world as an artist liaison, which she ditched to focus on developing her budding music career. To her dismay, the flower shop stint that she had primed as the backdrop for her to make ends meet while finding time to hone her craft ended up turning her miserable.

"When you are sat at a computer for eight hours a day, writing emails and running itineraries, the last thing you want to do is sit in the same spot and write a song," LeClair said.

Despite turning her back on the corporate world, LeClair had no clue that she would end up feeling even worse in the florist's that she had sought refuge in. She had handpicked floristry because she was keen to secure work that appeared restful yet still creative, but was not directly linked to her budding career in music.

"I walked around my neighborhood and applied for the cliché kind of jobs that I had spent the last few years romanticizing. I have always wanted to work at a flower shop because it felt creative in a way that was far enough removed from my own art," LeClair said.

The reality of the job, which, like other retail and service roles, can be difficult and demanding, quickly clashed with her romanticized expectations.

"I ended up doing very physical work, in a half-open store at the height of the winter," LeClair said.

"I wore several layers of thermals, lifted extremely heavy plants, boxes, Christmas trees and vases during 10-hour-long work days with a rushed lunch break."

Although she enjoyed the company of both of the botany and the store's regular stream of customers, the harsh working conditions and poor compensation made the job feel unsustainable for LeClair, who went on to quit in just a month.

"I couldn't justify making half the money that I was in the corporate world, while working longer and less comfortable hours. I'd made the switch for my music, but I ended up having neither time nor money to make any," she added.

LeClair's story taps into a broader conversation about the pressures facing young professionals today. Many others are also attempting to escape the so-called 'rat race' due to rising levels of burnout, with some seeking solace in careers they perceive as more fulfilling or in self-employment via small business.

Deemed by the World Health Organization an "occupational phenomenon," burnout is characterized by feelings of exhaustion, increased feelings of negativism or cynicism and reduced efficiency or productivity.

Gallup's 2023 State of the Global Workplace report showed that increasing numbers of people are now more burned out than ever after 44 percent of study respondents cited significant stress levels—the highest recorded by Gallup to date.

"Young people may be more interested in softer careers because they prioritize work-life balance instead of climbing the corporate ladder," Adam Collins, the founder and chief executive officer of Ignite SEO, told Newsweek.

"More and more Gen Zers are anti-capitalist, anti-work, and anti-hustle culture, so the softer careers align with them much better than traditional corporate jobs.

"They're more interested in making the most of their lives by doing the things they enjoy rather than letting a job consume all their time," Collins said.

Marc Coleman, Unleash AI's chief executive officer, added: "Gen Z is unique in that they don't care as much about the workplace as an entity, organizational hierarchy, or the many traditional processes in place.

"They're often shocked by the workload and don't want to sign up to work their twenties away. However, there's a major opportunity here to help mitigate the skills gap and other shortfalls we're experiencing from a labor perspective."

Yet, as LeClair's experience shows, sidestepping into a different industry or self-employment does not always provide the sense of respite or satisfaction anticipated.

Somewhat aware of how her story goes against the grain—with its damning depiction of what is so often romanticized by exhausted employees—LeClair decided to share her story to TikTok to offer a different point of view.

The post, which details her brief and unhappy month at a flower shop while one of her own musical numbers plays in the background, resonated widely. The clip has been liked more than 94,000 times since it was shared to the social-media platform on April 8.

The reaction could underscore the collective frustration felt by many in creative fields. They often juggle demanding day jobs in customer service or retail that can be both emotionally and physically draining, while trying to kickstart the artistic life of their dreams.

"Every person I know is unhappy with their day jobs," LeClair said.

"Especially my creative friends. They are fed up with having to work customer service or retail jobs. So much is expected of you for such little pay and often a quite-thankless environment. I think we are all sick of it, and people in the comments were sharing their own stories of misery labor.

"It's a brave thing in this economy to go into the arts, and I know that I did not pick the easy path, but I do find light and meaning in all my transitions. I also used my own song as the background music, which has fortunately pushed my streams. I wish there was more support for artists, but until then, I might write a song called 'The Flowershop' or something," LeClair added.

Despite the setbacks, she remains committed to her musical pursuits. Her journey through various jobs has not only provided an unexpected source of inspiration and material for her music, but has also strengthened her resolve to succeed as a full-time musician in a competitive and saturated industry.

"I don't think I'd ever love a job that's not that," LeClair said.

Her story is a poignant reminder of the complex realities that face people in the job market, especially those with creative ambitions today. While the allure of leaving a demanding corporate job for a seemingly idyllic role is strong, the practical challenges can be significant.

As more young professionals reconsider their career paths in search of meaning and satisfaction, stories like LeClair's serve as both a caution and a beacon of hope for those willing to navigate the turbulent waters of creative careers.

Have you had a workplace dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.