The Courage to Walk Away

I wish I read this a year ago

I spent a year in Web3 and hated every second of it.

That’s a strong statement, but it’s true. I didn’t enjoy it, I didn’t feel at home in it, and I didn’t see a future for myself in that world. And yet—I don’t regret it for a second. Because sometimes, the most valuable lessons aren’t about what excites you but about what doesn’t.

In a world obsessed with knowing exactly what you want, I think we vastly underestimate the power of figuring out what you don’t want.

Why I Hated Web3

I came into Web3 with an open mind. It was marketed as the next big thing—the frontier of technology, decentralization, and digital ownership. But within months, I realized it wasn’t just not for me—I actively disliked it.

Here’s why:

1. It was ridiculously clique-y.
   The entire space felt like an insider’s club where people spoke in jargon-laden riddles, more focused on flexing their knowledge than actually making things understandable. If you didn’t already “get it,” you were dismissed as a non-believer.

2. There were no real-life use cases.
   For all the grand claims of revolutionizing industries, there was very little consumer-facing impact. Everything was infrastructure—pipelines, rails, ledgers. Which is fine in theory, but if a space has been around for a decade and still hasn’t produced a single compelling application for the average person, that’s a red flag.

3. It was insanely complicated, and people made it worse.
   The tech itself was dense. That’s expected. But what made it unbearable was the sheer amount of nonsense people spewed—overcomplicating simple concepts, gatekeeping knowledge, and pretending complexity was a feature, not a bug. Half the time, it felt like people were using jargon to cover up the fact that they didn’t really understand what they were talking about.

4. It was filled with grifters.
   I have never seen an industry with a higher percentage of people trying to sell nothing for something. Crypto bros, fake thought leaders, ‘decentralization’ purists who conveniently ignored centralization when it benefited them. Everyone was hyping the next big thing without actually building anything meaningful. And when things collapsed (which they regularly did), they just moved on to the next buzzword.

I stuck around because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being unfair. I wanted to see if I was missing something. But the deeper I went, the clearer it became: this was not a space I wanted to build my career in.

And honestly? That realization was worth everything.

How to Identify What Isn’t for You (Without Losing Your Confidence)

The worst part about being in the wrong place isn’t just boredom or frustration—it’s how much it can wreck your confidence.

When you’re in the wrong industry, the wrong company, or even just the wrong role, it can make you feel like you’re the problem. Like you’re stupid. Like you’re just not "getting it" when everyone else seems to be thriving.

That’s exactly how I felt in Web3.

I constantly second-guessed myself:

• "Am I just not smart enough for this?"

• "Why does this all feel so fake to me, but everyone else seems so excited?"

• "Maybe I should just keep my head down and power through."

But here’s what I’ve learned: being in the wrong place doesn’t mean you are wrong. It just means you haven’t found the right fit yet.

Signs You Might Be in the Wrong Place

If you’re feeling lost in your career or industry, here are a few red flags to pay attention to:

1. You feel drained, not energized.

   • Do you end your workday feeling tired in a good way—or completely depleted?

   • When you learn something new in this space, do you feel excited or indifferent?

2. You start doubting your intelligence.

   • A challenge should stretch you, not make you feel stupid.

   • If you’re constantly feeling like the dumbest person in the room for the wrong reasons (i.e., lack of clarity, confusing jargon, unnecessary complexity), it might not be you—it might be the system you’re in.

3. You don’t respect the people leading the space.

   • If every "leader" in your industry makes you roll your eyes rather than inspire you, that’s a sign.

   • Ask yourself: Do I want to become like the people who are thriving here? If the answer is no, that’s a huge red flag.

4. Your confidence is actively decreasing.

   • If you felt more competent, capable, and smart before you entered this space than you do now, that’s a problem.

   • The right work stretches you and helps you grow, but it shouldn’t break you.

How to Rebuild Your Confidence When You Feel Like the Problem

If you’re stuck in a situation that’s eroding your self-worth, here’s how to break out of that mindset:

1. Separate “I’m Bad at This” From “This Is Bad for Me”

Ask yourself:

• Is this something I genuinely want to improve at?

• Or am I forcing myself to care about something that just doesn’t click?

It’s okay to struggle with something you want to get better at. But if you have no real interest, you’re just draining yourself for no reason.

2. Get External Perspective

When you’re too deep in self-doubt, talk to someone who knows you well. Ask:

• "Hey, do you think this is a ‘me’ problem, or do you see how this space just doesn’t fit me?"

• "Do I seem different (less confident, more drained) since I started working in this industry?"

People who know you outside of work will notice things you might not see.

3. Remind Yourself of What You’re Actually Good At

If your confidence has taken a hit, force yourself to remember your wins.

• Make a list of things you’ve done well in your career so far.

• Reflect on past projects where you felt competent and engaged.

• If needed, switch to a small side project that lets you flex those strengths again.

4. Exit Before You Fully Burn Out

The longer you stay in a bad-fit situation, the harder it is to leave. If you already know this isn’t for you, start planning your way out now. You don’t have to quit tomorrow, but take small steps—updating your resume, reaching out to people in other industries, mentally preparing to move on.

The Fear of Walking Away: Social Pressure & Sunk Costs

One of the biggest reasons people stay stuck in jobs or industries they dislike isn’t just fear—it’s judgment.

• “What will people think?”

• “Will this make me look like a failure?”

• “What about all the time I already spent here?”

We’re conditioned to believe that quitting is a failure. That walking away means you couldn’t cut it. That if you spent time on something, you need to “make it work” or “prove people wrong.” And sometimes, the weight of other people’s opinions is enough to keep us miserable in situations we should have left ages ago.

But here’s the truth: the people passing judgment aren’t paying your bills. They aren’t waking up dreading your workday. They aren’t living with the long-term consequences of you forcing yourself to stay in something that drains you.

If you want to build a career (and a life) that actually works for you, you have to learn to block out that noise. To develop the thick skin needed to walk away when something isn’t right. To prioritize your own gut feeling over external validation.

Because at the end of the day, the only person who has to live with your career choices is you.

How to Walk Away From Something That Isn’t Right for You

Quitting is easy. Quitting well is a skill. If you’re thinking about leaving an industry, job, or career path that isn’t working for you, here’s a structured approach to doing it right:

1. Diagnose What’s Actually Wrong

Before making a drastic decision, get specific: What exactly is making you unhappy?

• Is it the industry (e.g., Web3’s culture of overhype)?

• Is it the company (bad leadership, toxic work environment)?

• Is it the role (misalignment of skills, lack of growth opportunities)?

• Is it external factors (location, work-life balance, salary)?

Writing this down helps separate temporary frustrations from long-term misalignment. If your issues are structural (e.g., you hate the industry itself), walking away makes sense. If they’re fixable (e.g., a bad manager), it might be worth exploring a change within the field before quitting altogether.

2. Create a "Soft Exit Plan"

Leaving doesn’t always have to be dramatic. If possible, set up an exit strategy that allows you to transition smoothly.

• Financial buffer: If quitting means losing income, start saving. Aim for 3-6 months of expenses.

• Skill-building: Use online courses, side projects, or freelance work to build skills for your next move.

• Network smartly: Connect with people in industries you’re interested in. Tell them you’re exploring.

Your goal isn’t to make a blind jump—it’s to make your next step easier before you leave.

3. Build Resilience Against Judgment

Expect people to question your decision.

• Old colleagues might ask why you “wasted time” in that field.

• Family might push for stability over change.

• LinkedIn will be filled with people who seem more “successful” in your old industry.

Your response? Smile, nod, and move on.

Here’s a simple mental trick:

• When someone questions your choice, ask yourself: “Will they be affected by this decision?”

• If the answer is no, their opinion doesn’t matter.

You owe no one an explanation. Just a polite “I decided to move on” is enough.

4. Frame Your Exit as a Step Forward, Not a Step Back

Instead of saying, “I quit Web3 because I hated it,” say: “I spent a year in Web3, learned a lot, and realized my skills and interests align better elsewhere.”

Future employers, investors, and partners respect clarity, not bitterness. If you position it as a strategic pivot rather than a failure, no one will hold it against you.

5. Give Yourself Permission to Start Over (Again and Again)

Walking away isn’t a one-time decision. You might try something new and realize you hate that too.

That’s okay.

Every time you quit something, you get better at:

• Spotting misalignment faster

• Making braver decisions

• Trusting yourself

Walking away doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re figuring it out. And that’s what actually leads to success.

Final Thought: Walking Away Is a Power Move

I look back at my year in Web3 and see a version of myself that was uncomfortable, uncertain, and (sometimes) deeply frustrated. But I also see someone who had the guts to try, to fail, and to walk away with clarity.

And honestly? I wouldn’t trade that lesson for anything.

So if you’re sitting on the fence, scared to quit something that isn’t working—just know that your next step doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

If you’re feeling trapped in a situation that’s crushing your confidence, here’s your reminder:

• Walking away isn’t weak—it’s strategic.

• If something is actively making you feel stupid, question the environment before you question yourself.

• People who judge you for leaving aren’t the ones living your life or paying your bills.

So stop waiting for permission. If it’s not for you—walk away. And don’t look back.