I Resign From…

The Prompt

You’re done. Not with your job, but with something more personal. Maybe you’re done always being the one who keeps it together. Maybe you’re done staying quiet to keep the peace, or being the one who says yes when you want to say no.

This challenge invites you to write a resignation letter, but not to an employer. Instead, resign from a role you never signed up for, a version of yourself you no longer want to maintain, or an expectation that has overstayed its welcome. It could be something society handed you. It could be something you placed on yourself. Whatever it is, you are officially stepping down.

Make it sharp, funny, heartbreaking, or liberating. The format is flexible, but the voice should feel personal and direct. Whether it reads like a formal memo, a messy emotional purge, or a cathartic farewell, your piece should carry the weight of someone reclaiming their power by letting go.

This is your moment to quit something that no longer serves you, and to say it like you mean it.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

• A narrative or letter-format piece.
• Between 800 and 1,500 words.
• Submitted to the Journal community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before May 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
• Your work must be original and unpublished.

The Prizes

• Grand Prize: $500
• Second Place: $200
• 15 Runners-Up: $15 each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: Badge

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 800 and 1,500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until May 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The I Resign From… Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.