I recently resigned from my job at a boutique marketing agency due to a toxic manager. I had been there for 5 years and was laid off in 2024, but after a year of searching, I finally landed a great role with decent pay in the summer of 2025. Unfortunately, after a year, my manager changed and the new one treated me poorly, which severely impacted my mental health. I made the tough decision to resign in June and took a month off to travel overseas with my family, returning to Canada at the end of July. Now, I’m back on the job hunt and facing some challenges: the job market seems dry, and the wages offered are significantly lower than what I was making before. I regret quitting, but I know I prioritized my mental health. I feel out of touch with the latest trends in digital marketing and web/graphic design, and after my break, I’m struggling with brain fog and feel mentally sluggish. I need to find a source of income quickly, whether that means taking a full-time job or building up freelance clients, as I have some freelance experience. I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, just a higher diploma from about 5 years ago, but I do have around 7 years of experience in the field. I also still need to get my driver’s license. I have several questions: 1. How do I explain my decision to quit without a job lined up during interviews and move past my feelings of regret? 2. What can I do to regain my mental sharpness after my time off? 3. Given the current market with low wages, should I accept a pay cut for a full-time position or focus on freelancing? 4. What’s the fastest way to get back up to speed with current marketing and design practices? 5. Is pursuing an online degree while unemployed worth it, or will it just be a distraction? Are there any recognized and affordable options in Canada? Having climbed out of a lengthy job search before, I believe I can do it again, but I’m looking for direction and any honest advice would be greatly appreciated.
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