My First Resignation

July 3, 2026. I'm 25 years old this year, I handed my first ever resignation letter as it is my first job ever.

Writing the letter took minutes. Because the decision itself was made long before - I was sure about quitting, I just hesitated for half year before actually doing it.

The Job

After graduating, I worked as a software engineer in a startup company in the biohacking industry. Initially joined as a Frontend developer but end up being - Mobile, Web, Backend and AI Developer (common startup company ><. But the pay was decent tho, from 5k -> 7.5k -> 11k lastly a month, plus 4 day WFH, stable, respectable, the kind of job people call "good".

Stuck

But at the one-and-half-year mark, I didn't want to keep going. Not because I couldn't do it - but because I had grown to resent that kind of life. Waking up to the same picture everyday: writing code, all day. Days passed, and I felt stuck. Not moving forward.

I know I'm not a born to be engineer deep down. And I don't want to spend my whole life buried in technology alone. What I want is to create - to make things with feeling. Color is one of my brush when photography. But by day, I kept it locked in the dry box.

The Day

I waited until I'd completed two full years before I finally made the call. The moment before handling the letter, my heart was beating so fast that it reached 100+ bpm. But after hesitant for 10 minute I pressed the send button and surprisingly, I felt really calm.

I think is because when I've hesitated over something for a year and a half, by the time I actually do it, It is some kind of release.

What My Boss Said Surprised Me

After few minute of sending out. He seen it and replied: "Do you get better offer?", I replied no - I just wanted to try something where I've always wanted to try (Did not tell about what's the specific thing.

Then he replied something surprised me.

"Some things are best done while you're young."

"You're brave"

"That's something I wished I'd done when I was young, but never did."

(I end up telling him that I will go on the long trip to improve OM Film Lab)

We also had some talk after he came to the office. I'm really appreciate and cherish that I've got a boss like this.

The work

There's no story here about quitting my job to build an app. The truth is simpler: I quit because wanted to try a different kind of life. OM Film Lab is the work I want to leave behind for myself - it might not amount to anything, but I know I won't regret it when I got old.

Departure

In late August, I'll set out with it and my camera. 100+ days, more than 15 countries. I don't know where this road leads. I only know: I won't regret it.