(Source: 123rf)
Picture this: a 30-year-old Malaysian woman, drained by a job that offers zero time off, takes to Xiaohongshu to ask a simple yet heavy question – is having RM100,000 in the bank enough to quit her job and pause life for a while? The post quickly lit up social media, sparking a fiery debate.
She is experiencing both physical and mental exhaustion from her current job. The work is demanding and requires a lot of effort from her, yet she finds it unfulfilling and unrewarding. This lack of balance between effort and satisfaction has left her feeling burnt out. Because her job does not allow her to take time off, she feels stuck in a cycle with no chance to rest or recover. This has started to take a toll on her mental health, which is why she is seriously considering quitting and taking a break. She believes stepping away might give her the space she needs to heal and regain her energy.
At the same time, she is worried about what comes after leaving. The uncertainty of not knowing what her next step will be makes her hesitant. She is afraid of the risks that come with quitting, such as financial instability or regret. Overall, she is caught between 2 difficult choices. On one hand, she wants relief from the exhaustion and negative impact on her mental health. On the other hand, the fear of the unknown is holding her back, making her feel conflicted and unsure about what to do.
Netizens didn’t hold back
A chorus of voices warned her that RM100,000 could disappear faster than you can say “naked resignation”. “Naked resignation” is a term commonly used in Chinese and Japanese work culture discussions. It refers to when someone quits their job without having another job lined up.
Basically, instead of waiting until they secure a new position or source of income, the person resigns first, often because of burnout, dissatisfaction, or the urgent need for a break. It’s called “naked” because it feels like stepping into uncertainty without the “clothing” or safety net of another job.
But not everyone was doom and gloom. Other netizens rallied behind her, pointing out that quitting temporarily is a far cry from retiring. They even shared stories of their own naked resignation.
The takeaway? If your savings buy you mental space and a reset, that’s powerful. But think of it as a “pause button”, not an undo button. And make sure you’ve got a return-to-reality plan ready before you hit stop.
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