ABSTRACT
Leaving is a fundamental part of living. We leave the womb, we leave home, we leave school, we leave loves, we leave careers, and, ultimately, we leave life itself. Leaving seems like it should be easy. A simple statement, “I quit,” seems adequate. But, leaving can be hard. It can be messy. It can be complicated and it can hurt. Leaving can also be liberating and exhilarating. The heartbreak and joy of leaving home, hearth, and love has been the heart of epic blockbusters, the soul of the poet’s craft, and the lifeblood of masterpiece novels. Even the comparatively more mundane experiences of leaving jobs and lifestyles have created the story arcs of Oscar-winning movies and New York Times bestsellers. Leaving resonates at the core of our human existence. Yet, the lived experience of leaving has remained relatively unexamined in consumer behavior literature.
