‘Corporate grind’: 28yo reveals reason she quit $170,000 salary job

A young Aussie has explained the “final straw” that led to her quitting an incredible lucrative job

Zoe Sheehan was earning at least $170,000 a year when she decided to quit her full-time job because she was burned out from the 9 to 5 grind.

The 28-year-old was a product designer. When she worked full-time, she earned around $170,000 to $180,000 as a per annum base, and if she freelanced, she earned $900 per day.

“Money has never been a thing for me,” she told news.com.au.

For as long as she can remember, Ms Sheehan has earned big money. At 23, she bought her first home and has always been ambitious.

Five years later, in November, she felt done with the grind, and “the final straw” was that she was sick of being uninspired.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” she said.

“There’s so many avenues to make money besides the corporate 9 to 5 grind. As a creative, there’s so much you can do.”

MORE: The highest paying jobs in Australia without a degree

In September this year, new research from Lululemon’s 2024 Global Wellbeing report found that one in two Aussies are impacted by burnout.

It identified that while wellness is a “top priority” for Australians, many felt “stuck” in a counter-productive cycle where the relentless pursuit of being well is leaving them feeling “more burnt out than ever”.

Ms Sheehan has worked for a decade in corporate life and trying to fit herself into the constraints of 9 to 5.

“I felt like I was in a prison cell,” she admitted.

“Ideas are my superpower, and I can’t come up with ideas when I’m chained to my desk.”

In November, Ms Sheehan quit her incredibly well-paying job and started freelancing full-time.

“I’ve already so much. I’ve written a book, done a ton of painting, launched an e-commerce business, all in a matter of weeks,” she said.

“Opportunities and doors open when you actually focus on yourself as a priority.”

She’s enjoying having time to be creative. Picture: Instagram/ZoeSheenan

She’s bursting with ideas now. Picture: Instagram/ZoeSheenan

MORE: Top 4 benefits of quitting before finding a new job

The 28-year-old said now that she doesn’t have to be at an office every day, she’s bursting with ideas.

“I need to go for a walk and be out in nature and go to cafes and see paintings that inspire me,” she explained.

Ms Sheehan believes creatives should be out of the office five days a week, Monday through Friday.

“How do we get inspired when we are looking at the same thing in the same building?” She asked.

“It really impacted my mental health that corporate grind”

The creative said that work, even though she worked at great places and with great people, had begun to give her “chronic anxiety” because she didn’t like the structures that came with it.

“I want to do things when I want to do them and then I’ll do my best output,” she said.

“I work best at 6am, and sometimes I work best at 10pm, but if someone forces me to do something at 4pm, I’m not doing my best.”

She works better when she can control her own hours. Picture: Instagram/ZoeSheenan

She’s thriving! Picture: Instagram/ZoeSheenan

The 28-year-old wants workers to understand money can be made outside of just one company.

“I’m really pushing everyone that’s miserable to do this and find a job they can do flexibly and that’s well paid,” she said.

Ms Sheehan’s call to quit her job isn’t unusual anymore, no matter how well-paid you are.

CEO and founder of Employment Hero, Ben Thompson, explained that Aussies are leaving their jobs in droves.

“Gone are the days when employees would stay in unfulfilling roles indefinitely, with almost 1 in 10 workers changing employers in the past year,” he said.

“Individuals are re-evaluating their priorities, and their work is front and centre of that re-evaluation.”

“Today’s workforce is not afraid to make swift moves if a job doesn’t align with their career prospects and values or detracts from their wellbeing.”

Originally published as ‘Corporate grind’: 28yo reveals reason she quit $170,000 salary job