Episode 6: Why I quit Twitter after gaining 8000 followers & when leaving a job is a good for your career.

Part 1: Why I Left Twitter

After 100 days off Twitter, I reflected on why I decided to step away:

* I was tired of the persona.I realized I was developing an inauthentic, one-dimensional version of myself on social media. People liked "Twitter Eric," not the whole me. That wasn’t the legacy I wanted to leave behind.

* The negativity wore me down.Trolls, haters, and anonymous accounts became exhausting. Waking up to dozens of comments—some nasty—started my days with stress. The tipping point was when a tweet I wrote was taken out of context and dragged on Facebook by strangers who never even spoke to me.

* God prompted me to step away.In prayer at a Benedictine monastery, I clearly sensed the Lord telling me to leave Twitter. It took me nine months to obey, but I’m better for it.

* I want my legacy to be deeper than social media.I don’t want my kids to remember me as “really popular online.” I want them to remember me for my presence, not my posts.

* Life without Twitter is better.I spend less time online and more time creating meaningful, high-quality content on Substack and this podcast. Surprisingly, my work hasn’t suffered—in fact, I've gotten more opportunities.

Part 2: When Is It Time to Quit Your Job?

I tackled a listener’s tricky question about discerning when to leave a job. Here’s how I responded:

* Quit when staying harms your professional growth or personal integrity.If a job makes me a worse spouse, parent, friend, or version of myself, it’s time to go.

* Please do your diligence.I always research prospective employers (Glassdoor, LinkedIn outreach, etc.), ask bold interview questions, and check the culture to avoid jumping from one bad situation to another.

* Accept the idea of a bridge job.The next role might not be perfect—it could be a stepping stone. One-year stints won’t hurt my resume if I’ve shown long-term loyalty in the past.

* Leave well—don’t burn bridges.I’ve returned to previous employers because I left with grace. I try to remember: the foot I step on today might be attached to the butt I have to kiss tomorrow.

* Always have a solid exit plan.Whether it's savings, a new offer in hand, or a supportive spouse, I make sure the logistics are lined up before I make a move—especially if others rely on me financially.

Final Thoughts

I’m building a life and career that reflects who I truly am—not who I pretended to be online. And I want to help others do the same. Thanks for walking this journey of vocation, calling, and identity with me.

If you're on the edge of a decision like this, I hope my story helps you take the next right step.

This podcast episode was produced by Jeffrey Riggs.

Music by Fyodor Zharkov from Pixabay

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erichoke.substack.com