What to do when waking up every day for your job is a nightmare in itself
AUTHOR Wajeeha Raja - FEBRUARY 2025
Landing your dream job is a dream come true for many. Thriving in said job can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Having to quit said job — even more so.
The difficulty of the decision, the seamlessness of the transition, and the impact it has on your next step depend on your role, the organization, your manager, how long you’ve been in the role for, your workplace relationships…the list goes on. What will make all this easier is your certainty about your decision, which in turn is rooted in your reasons for leaving.

Are you sure you want to quit your job?
Whether it’s a toxic work culture, an overbearing or micromanaging manager, or the lack of a work-life balance, understanding your reasons for wanting to leave a job is paramount to being comfortable in taking the next step. But before you hand in your letter of resignation, venture inwards to the root of your decision. You need to ask yourself:
Do I want to quit or do I simply want things to be better?
Take a moment to assess your current situation; aspects like your relationship with your manager, your workload, career growth prospects, and even how coming into work every day feels. Figure out what matters to you, both presently and in the long run, and what the drivers pushing you towards resignation are. Rate each aspect on a -5 to +5 scale and calculate whether your net experience is positive.

If it isn’t, you’re one step closer to resigning and feeling satisfied about it. Since your reasons are well-founded, leaving this job might really be the best course of action for you. And if that is the case, be persistent in the face of counteroffers that may aim to sway your decision and coerce you into staying at a job that sucks the life out of you.
Taking that leap is half the job done — literally. Now comes the part of actually doing it. Wrapping up your final projects, navigating your last few interactions, and giving an honest yet helpful exit interview are all essential elements of the offboarding process. Think about whether you need another job lined up before you quit or whether you can dip into your savings for a few months. If you don’t have a job lined up, make a budget for the transition period for being between jobs. Don’t set yourself up for even more stress than you would’ve had had you stayed at your job.

What if you don’t?
But if your net experience is indeed positive, you may need to reevaluate your decision and work on trying to make the negatives work for you. For instance, if a lack of motivation is the culprit, moving into another role after you successfully deliver your current project might be a better alternative to resigning. Similarly, if the commute drains you before you even reach the office - as studies show it may be doing - a remote or hybrid arrangement might do the trick. Whatever the reason may be, critically evaluate it to uncover a different role, arrangement, or project in the same organization that might work for you rather than you having to leave entirely.
Moreover, do a little introspection and audit your life. Think about how you want to spend your time and energy, both inside and outside the office. Talk to your manager about some of the emotions you are feeling or problems you might be facing at work. Set healthy boundaries and learn the exact requirements of your role if you’re feeling like you’re always saying yes to tasks that are not your responsibility. And since you’ve decided to give this job another chance, be resilient in the face of adversity.
Key Takeaways
Whether or not you decide to quit your job, having well-founded reasons for your decision is crucial. The more in tune you are with yourself, your sense of identity, and what you want from your time, the easier the next phase of your life will be — whether it’s toughing it out in your current role or moving on to the next thing. Either way, remember to be empathetic towards yourself, disconnect your identity and sense of self from your job, and not rush into (or out of) anything.
コメント