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

Get full access to Eric Hoke at erichoke.substack.com/subscribe