A 30-year-old Malaysian woman has taken to the internet to seek advice on whether having RM100,000 in savings is enough for her to resign from her job and take a break before returning to work.
In a Xiaohongshu post, she shared that she has been feeling physically and mentally drained from her demanding job, which offers no option to take leave.
Concerned about her mental health, she is considering quitting to rest, but fears the uncertainty that comes after resignation.
‘RM100k isn’t enough
Several netizens warned her against the idea, saying RM100K isn’t as much as it seems and could be depleted quickly.
One remarked that such an amount could be gone in just a few months, while another bluntly stated that RM100K is “not a lot” unless it’s RM1 million.
‘RM100K could be gone in just a few months. What will you do after that?’
‘Don’t joke around. RM100K isn’t much. If you had RM1 million, then it would be fine.’
Some also pointed out the risks of “naked resignation” — quitting without securing another job — stressing that she should have a clear plan before making such a big decision.
They argued that without a backup income, the money might not last, especially if she has ongoing commitments or dependents.
‘Resigning doesn’t mean retiring’
On the other hand, netizens who supported the OP argued that resigning and taking a break is different from retiring.
‘It seems like they don’t understand what ‘naked resignation’ means. You’re just resigning without securing a new job first — it’s not retirement. It’s like you’re taking RM100K to get through this period. From what I see, RM100K is enough for you to rest well, take a breather, and then set off again! You got this!’
One netizen recounted their own experience of “naked resignation” at the age of 26, taking almost a year off before returning to work. They initially thought it would take a long time to find another job, but ended up securing a new position just a month after starting their search.
During the break, they admitted to feeling anxious at first, with their family urging them to relax and enjoy the time off. They spent the period travelling and unwinding before finding a job with a salary that met their expectations — even better than they had imagined.
The commenter advised the woman to take time to understand what she truly wants, adding that if she decides to rest again in the future, she should know how long that break will last and have a loose plan in mind.
