I saw a data point: the voluntary resignation rate in 2025 will hit a five-year low.

It's not that I don't want to quit; I really can't afford to.

Friends around me have been PUA'd at their companies for almost a year, constantly talking about quitting.

But every time they see rent, credit card bills, or calls from parents,
they get scared again.

One of them said something very painful: It's not that I love this job, I just can't leave this salary.

Thinking carefully, young people today face too high a cost when quitting.

Economically: rent, loans, daily expenses—if there's no income for a month, panic sets in.

Savings: most people can't last more than three months.

Psychologically: worries from parents, doubts from friends, gossip from former colleagues, and anxiety from waking up in the middle of the night.

Opportunities: the overall environment is bad, good jobs are scarce, and sending out 100 resumes might only get 2 responses.

Switching jobs with a pay cut? Even more unlikely.

So you'll find that those who dare to quit outright,
either have already achieved passive income,
or have family support,
or are young enough to afford trial and error.

Most people, however, choose to endure between risk and patience.

This isn't lack of backbone; it's adult rational calculation.

True workplace freedom isn't about leaving whenever you want; it's about having a backup plan.

When can your savings support you for a year?
When do you have other sources of income?
When is your resume competitive in the market?

Only then will you be qualified to say: I don't want this job anymore.

Until then, instead of complaining about not being able to resign, find ways to increase your leverage.

After all, freedom is built up, not shouted into existence.