Whenever I tell people I used to work in a BPO, the first thing they usually say is, "At least the pay is good."And honestly, they're not wrong.
The salary was one of the biggest reasons I stayed. Like most people, I had bills to pay and responsibilities waiting for me at home. Every payday felt worth it because I knew where my hard-earned money was going.
But what people don't usually see is everything that comes with that salary.
Yes, there are difficult customers. That's part of the job. But after a while, I realized they weren't always the hardest part.
Sometimes, it's the pressure. Every day, there are targets to hit, metrics to maintain, and expectations to meet. You tell yourself it's just another shift, but the stress slowly becomes part of your everyday life.
Then there's office politics. I never really liked getting involved in those things, but sometimes they find you anyway. It can make work more exhausting than it already is.
One thing I also learned is that your team leader can really make or break your experience. If you're lucky to have someone who listens and supports the team, work feels lighter even on difficult days. But if you don't... every shift feels longer than it actually is. You start counting the hours until logout instead of enjoying what you're doing.
Then I became a mom. That was when everything changed.
I was trying to take care of a newborn while working at the same time. There were days when I barely slept 2-3 hours a day only, but I still had to show up for work the next day like everything was fine. I kept telling myself, "Kaya pa 'to."
Until one day, I realized I wasn't just tired anymore, that I was exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
Resigning was not part of my plan. I needed the job and the income. Walking away from a stable salary was scary, especially when you have a family depending on you. But I also knew I couldn't keep choosing work while slowly losing myself.
So I resigned.
Looking back, I don't regret that decision.
The BPO industry gave me a lot. It taught me patience, confidence, and how to stay calm under pressure. I met good people, learned new skills, and gained experiences I will always be thankful for.
But it also reminded me that work is only one part of life.
At the end of the day, no salary can replace your health, your peace of mind, or the time you spend with your family.
If you're still working in a BPO, I hope you're with a team that values and supports you. And if you're having a hard time right now, I hope you remember that choosing yourself doesn't mean you've failed.
Sometimes, it simply means you've had enough—and that's okay.