This week I quit my job. Random -- I know; but, I've been feeling it coming for a while now and finally I just had enough!
If you've been following the blog, over the past few months I've mentioned how unhappy I've been at work -- not in great detail, but an honourable mention here and there. At first the signs were small, like not connecting with my co-workers, or feeling unmotivated; but, after a while I became lethargic and borderline depressed.
That's when I realized, I had hit a wall.
For weeks, I was stagnant...aimlessly going through the motions of each day; watching life pass me by with no sense of direction or purpose. I neglected my relatively healthy lifestyle, and traded it in for copious amounts of chocolate and Netflix-binging. I lost all sense of passion, and had literally no interest in anything I loved. It felt like I was so stuck that I barely even noticed time passing me by.
Everyday I woke up everyday feeling like I was drowning, until finally I decided enough was enough! I had to come up for air -- and so I did.
I quit.
For the first time in a long time, I had clarity; so, I walked into my office and handed in my resignation. I finally felt like me again. I handed over that piece of paper and instantly, the weight that had been holding me underwater for so long, finally left my shoulders.
Don't get me wrong -- it wasn't an easy decision -- especially because I'm not a person that enjoys not having a back up plan; but, I knew that it was time. It was time to figure out what I wanted out of life and I was finally free to do just that!
If you find that you've been feeling like you're losing yourself on your job, here are some signs that its time for a major-shift:
- You spend most of your day unhappy. You'd rather do anything else than go to work.
We spend nearly 3/4 of our day at work; so, if you find yourself miserable 75% of the day, it's time to think about change. Sure, happiness is fleeting and not all decisions should be made based on emotion; but, if the place you spend the majority of your life is toxic -- there's no reason to stick around.
- You consider your job a way to make ends meet -- NOT a career.
Unfortunately, we have to pay bills; and like it or not, we end up in "jobs" simply for that purpose. But, it's important not to lose sight of the end goal. A "job" is just a stepping stone to get you in the place you want to be. When it's purpose has been fulfilled, you need to let yourself move on to better things. Don't forget the things you are passionate about! Don't forget about the things you've always wanted to do. If this isn't it, start thinking of ways to transition out of that "job" and into a career you'll truly enjoy!
- You are unmotivated, lethargic and irritable at work/when you get home.
Of course we'll all have bad days; bu,t if every day is a bad day, it might be time to switch things up! A toxic work environment can negatively affect your mental health (which will hurt you more in the long run); so, it is important to be mindful of that. Don't take it for granted -- because a job is never worth your sanity.
Life is way too short to waste it doing something you hate; so, if you find that you aren't motivated, or challenged, or happy in your current workplace, it might be time for a change! You owe it to yourself to find love, passion and joy in any situation; so, it doesn't matter what it is, if it's toxic, let it go!