Zestyclose-Pick-7618's journey

I just quit my job after twelve years without a concrete plan, and I'm feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. For the last two years, I felt completely drained; my workload increased while my pay stagnated, and I kept telling myself to hang on a little longer. But yesterday, I reached my breaking point and messaged my manager to say I needed to leave. She wants to discuss it before I make it official, but I’ve seen how those conversations typically go, and I doubt anything will change. Now, I’m in my mid-forties, with solid experience in my field, but I haven’t had to job hunt in over a decade, and the current job market feels overwhelming. I can’t afford to be without income for long, and I don’t have a backup plan. I don’t regret my decision to leave; I just wish I hadn’t waited so long to take this step. I’m seeking practical advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation about what the first few weeks look like and what I should focus on right now.