Why people in their 20s and 30s quit perfectly good jobs

Modern people tend to seek unnecessarily stimulating tastes and emotions in their frantically busy daily lives. Professor Kim Kyung-il explained this phenomenon as a characteristic appearing in the 'era of emotional excess.' In a past experiment, people exposed to airplane noise added more sugar to their coffee than usual, showing that excessive stimulation leads to sensation-seeking behavior.

Across society, the use of extreme words such as 'total disaster,' 'sense of defeat,' and 'extreme aversion' is increasing. Professor Kim Kyung-il pointed out that this linguistic polarization reflects the impact of a stimulating environment on emotional recognition systems. This suggests that expressions, whether positive or negative, that lean towards extremes are changing people's emotional experiences and perceptions.

Human language researchers view 'productivity' rather than communication itself as the core of human language. Professor Kim Kyung-il explained that only humans have the characteristic of constantly creating new words. The process by which younger generations evolve language, even while sometimes violating the linguistic rules of older generations, can be interpreted as an essential linguistic endeavor for the development of human civilization.

Professor Kim Kyung-il said, "Every generation is more complex, nuanced, and subdivided than the previous generation, and more homogeneous and simpler than the next." This means that the delicate psychological emotional descriptions felt by the current generation are the result of a more developed emotional system than past generations. Shakespeare's works are highly regarded across all eras because they universally deal with fundamental human emotions, while each era interprets them according to its own emotional system, adding depth.

Professor Kim Kyung-il stated that he does not distinguish between mental and physical energy. The post-work lethargy of office workers is a major topic in modern society, meaning it is difficult to approach it dichotomously as simply a mental or physical problem.

One of the activities that consumes the most human energy is 'decision-making.' Professor Kim Kyung-il explained that many meetings held at 4 PM often result in no decisions because human mental and physical energy are interconnected. As energy reserves change in the afternoon, it is more efficient to make important decisions in the morning when energy is sufficient.

If you feel a lot of melancholy and are suddenly considering resigning, despite having no major issues with work, salary, or interpersonal relationships, it could be a sign of 'loss of agency.' Professor Kim Kyung-il explained that this psychology arises when one feels they are not the main character at work, or when they feel ignored or ostracized by the organization. Regardless of job performance or salary, one considers resigning when they feel they have lost their sense of agency.

A paradoxical situation can arise where capable practitioners experience a loss of agency. Professor Kim Kyung-il pointed out that when an organizational system is too well-established and things run perfectly even without them, they might misunderstand it as being ignored. The reason leaders need to leave the organization to gain new insights is also to prevent this loss of agency and embrace new perspectives.

Before deciding to resign, one must verify whether their resignation is justified because they have truly lost their agency, or if they are momentarily feeling ignored because things are running well without them. Professor Kim Kyung-il recommended participating in external activities such as industry trend seminars or academic conferences, rather than staying within the workplace, to find this out. He explained that by observing internal work alongside external changes, one can distinguish between an impulsive resignation and a situation truly requiring agency restoration.

Humans are surprisingly sensitive to places. Professor Kim Kyung-il mentioned that psychologists sometimes describe creative individuals as 'people who know the places that make them creative.' It is important to create psychological signals like 'I'm home' through actions like showering after work, or to condition the brain by associating specific places with activities. For example, creating a rule not to write papers at home.

The influence of space on human behavior and psychology is powerful. Professor Kim Kyung-il explained that even the names of spaces, such as 'research lab,' affect human behavior. Like the example of using a life-sized cutout to motivate graduate students' learning, humans are highly sensitive to situations and environmental cues, and their behavior can be controlled.

If you are struggling to disengage from work and remain tense even after coming home, it is important to establish a 'third intermediate buffer zone' between work and home. Professor Kim Kyung-il emphasized the importance of changing attire during remote work and explained the need for a 'ritual' for psychological transition, such as briefly 'zoning out' in a buffer zone (park, restaurant, etc.) between work and home.

The more one denies or tries to confront a jinx, the more their performance tends to decline. Professor Kim Kyung-il advised against directly confronting jinxes, suggesting instead intentional 'counter-actions' that make one comfortable. For example, actions like 'drawing three smiling faces' that can be easily done in any situation can be effective. Also, writing down worries before sleep helps with psychological detachment, contributing to reduced anxiety.

The subtle blend of honesty and humility varies depending on an individual's age and situation. Professor Kim Kyung-il said that excessive humility in one's early 20s can feel awkward and even unpleasant. Maturity means openly expressing one's desires while maintaining dignity, and this comes from an appropriate balance of honesty and humility fitting one's age.

Receiving candid feedback in social life, such as 'you're being pretentious' or 'you're being silly,' is an important part of the growth process. Professor Kim Kyung-il emphasized that through such criticism, one can reflect on whether they went too far and maintain appropriate boundaries. Accepting honest evaluations from those around you and having honest colleagues, friends, and family close by are crucial for proper attitude formation and a balanced life.