How to Write a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
It is necessary to write a resignation letter for personal reasons if you want to leave your current job on your own terms.
You might have health issues, or perhaps you want to take an early retirement. No matter your motivation, you need to let your employer know that you’re planning to leave.
But we recognize that writing a resignation letter isn’t easy. What should you include? How do you structure it? And what tone should you take?
Here, we reveal everything you need to know in order to write a resignation letter for personal reasons. We also provide some examples that you can work into your letter to make your life that little bit easier.
Resignation letter for personal reasons: Why might you be leaving?
When you cite “personal reasons” for leaving your job, there are numerous potential reasons for your resignation. The fact is that leaving for personal reasons is just that – it’s personal to you.
But still, if you’re not sure your resignation falls under this category, below are some of the “personal reasons” that people might have for resigning from a company:
Physical or mental health
Employees often cite “personal reasons” when leaving a job for mental or physical health reasons. You might have received a diagnosis that makes it difficult for you to continue working in your full-time job. This is a perfectly valid reason to leave your current employment for personal reasons.
Family reasons
A significant change in your family circumstances can also be a personal reason to leave your job. For instance, an increase in the cost of childcare, an illness in the family, or your kids leaving school could all prompt you to resign or look for employment elsewhere. In the United States in 2022, approximately 24% of people left their jobs because of childcare issues.
Ethical issues
Though you don’t have to disclose this to your boss, you might feel that your values no longer align with those of the company. Maybe the company has taken a direction you’re not comfortable with. Or, perhaps they have started working on a project you’re ethically against. This is as good a personal reason as any to look elsewhere for work.
Early retirement
You don’t have to wait until you’re 65 to retire. In fact, taking an early retirement is a popular reason to leave your job for personal reasons. You might have saved enough money to retire on your terms, so it could be time to explore other passions.
Travel
Research shows that almost half of people in the USA are considering quitting their jobs in 2025. Many of these people will resign to go traveling. While it can seem like a big step to take, traveling the world is incredibly rewarding. It’s also a legitimate reason to resign from a full-time job.
Ready to write your resignation letter for personal reasons? Speak to someone first
As you prepare to resign from your job, it’s a good idea to speak to someone before handing in your resignation letter for personal reasons.
First, speak to a family member or friend and explain why you’re resigning. You can be open and honest about your resignation, and you can receive feedback from your loved ones about whether they agree with your decision.
Next, we recommend speaking to your boss, particularly if you’re on good terms. Nobody likes to be blindsided, and submitting a resignation letter out of the blue might upset someone if you don’t warn them in advance.
These initial conversations will lay the groundwork for your resignation letter for personal reasons and make things easier.
What to include in a resignation letter for personal reasons (with examples)
So, you’ve decided that resigning from your job is the right thing to do. Here are some of the things you should include in your letter:
Your reason for leaving
Now, you don’t have to explain precisely why you’re leaving your job. However, it makes sense for you to be honest and forthright about your reasoning.
The personal reason for your resignation might be related to your family, health, or your current relationship. And while you don’t need to go into the details, mention why you’re leaving in the letter.
Don’t feel like you need to overshare, and don’t feel obliged to explain something you don’t feel comfortable with. A simple sentence should suffice – check out a few of the examples below:
Example one
I’m resigning due to an illness in my family, as I no longer have enough time to dedicate to my full working schedule.
Example two
My family life at home has changed significantly in recent months, and I am no longer available to work in my full-time position.
Example three
I have received a health diagnosis that requires some time away from full-time employment, so I am resigning from my position.
Details of your last day
Your resignation letter for personal reasons should also indicate the last day you plan to work. To determine this, you will need to consider whether your contract stipulates a notice period that you have to work before resigning.
This could be anything from one to four weeks, depending on your job. We recommend reading your contract before determining your last day so you don’t violate its terms when leaving the company.
You can also suggest to your employer that they shorten (or extend) your notice period if it makes sense to do so. Here are a few examples for you to consider:
Example one
As per the terms of my contract, I will work my notice period of [enter the number of weeks]. Therefore, my last day will be [enter date].
Example two
My notice period stipulates that I am required to work for a further [enter the number of weeks]. However, given that we are working on a big project, I’m happy to work until the delivery date of [enter date] to help the team get it over the line.
Example three
My notice period indicates that I need to work for [enter number of weeks]. However, due to my current circumstances, I’m wondering if we can reduce this to [enter preferred period], so that my final date will be [enter date]?
Gratitude and offer of help
Regardless of how you feel about the company you’re leaving, we recommend expressing gratitude for the time that you’ve worked there. It’s a great way to end things on a positive note and highlights that you’re leaving on good terms.
It’s also a nice touch to offer to help your manager or the company in a small way before leaving. For instance, you could offer to help during the transition period, or you might even have a recommendation for a new member of staff.
Equally, if there’s a big project ongoing, you might offer to help see it out before leaving the company. Another option is to offer an exit interview, during which you could explain in more detail why you’re leaving.
Here are a few ideas about how to show gratitude and what an offer of help could look like in your resignation letter for personal reasons:
Example one
Though I’ve taken the tough decision to leave [company] for personal reasons, I’m extremely grateful for the [enter the time you have worked there] that I’ve spent here. I’ve learned a lot and made many great relationships, which I hope to maintain in the future.
Should you require any assistance with finding a new employee or during the transition following my resignation, I would be happy to help.
Example two
During my time at [company], I have learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed the working environment. I’m extremely grateful for the support and guidance I have received, and if there’s anything I can do to help before leaving, please do let me know.
Tips for writing a resignation letter for personal reasons
Now that we’ve covered the key topics to include in a resignation letter for personal reasons, we want to run through some tips that will help you write the perfect letter:
Keep the letter brief
Your resignation letter shouldn’t be any longer than a few paragraphs. You can use the first paragraph to briefly explain your reason for leaving and the second paragraph to thank your boss and the company.
Avoid the temptation to overshare or go into too much detail about your reasons for leaving. As highlighted earlier in this article, you can keep things brief, even if you explain precisely why you’re leaving.
Be positive
The tone of your resignation letter is so important. Rather than focusing on negative experiences that might have led you to resign, focus on the positive aspects of your resignation and show gratitude.
Expressing negativity in a resignation letter for personal reasons could harm your chances of receiving a positive reference from your employer, so keep things positive and upbeat wherever possible.
Maintain a formal tone
As with all professional workplace interactions, a formal tone is best for your resignation letter for personal reasons. Refer to your boss as Mr/Mrs, and avoid overfamiliarity, even if you have a good relationship outside of work.
The resignation letter will go on your file, so keep it formal, courteous, and polite in case you have any future dealings with the company.
Follow a standard structure
Though letter writing is somewhat of a lost art, you should follow standard writing conventions to keep things formal and appropriate. You should include the following:
- The date.
- Your home address (or where you’re sending the letter from).
- A formal greeting (Dear/To Mr/Mrs [Name]).
- A professional typeface such as Arial, Calibri, or Cambria.
- Sign off with “Yours Sincerely.”
- Sign the letter and type your name.
- Enter your contact details (a phone number and email will suffice).
Use AI to help you
If you’re nervous about putting together your resignation for personal reasons, you can use AI to help you. You can use Arvin’s AI Email Writer to help you structure a formal, thorough, and courteous letter of resignation, which you can then populate with personal touches.
Our Writing Improver is another option if you want to start your letter but would like to enhance it. This tool will give you the confidence to write a formal and polite resignation letter representing your best interests.
Final words: Writing a resignation letter for personal reasons
Whether you’re retiring, leaving your job for health reasons, or keen to spend more time with your family, writing a resignation letter for personal reasons is an important step to take.
You can use the examples introduced in this article to compile your letter and follow our tips to ensure you get the tone right.
We also remind you to speak to a family member or friend before handing in your letter. It’s also best to inform your boss beforehand. This is better than blindsiding them with your resignation and will make sure that you leave on good terms.
Use our AI Grammar Checker to rule out any spelling or grammatical errors and ensure that your letter says precisely what you want it to.
Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons FAQ
How do I resign due to personal reasons?
You’re within your rights to resign from your job at any time, and if you want to resign for personal reasons, indicate this in your resignation letter. As shown in this article, numerous issues fall under “personal reasons,” ranging from health issues to early retirement. You don’t need to be too specific in your resignation letter, just mention personal reasons and keep things generic if you don’t want to overshare.
Can I put personal reasons as my reason for leaving a job?
Yes, you can put personal reasons as the cause of your resignation. You can also expand on this reasoning if you wish, touching on the specific reason that you have decided to leave your workplace. Again, be careful not to overshare, as it’s entirely up to you why you’re seeking new employment.
How do I write a personal resignation letter?
You can write a resignation letter for personal reasons by following the tips, prompts, and examples listed above. If you’re stuck on where to begin, use our AI Chat feature and explore how AI can help you put together the perfect template to resign on your own terms.
