Sometimes a workplace or a boss becomes so toxic that you just know you have to quit, even when you don’t have another job in place.
While everyone would tell you to wait until you have a backup plan before jumping ship, you can’t help but feel like if you don’t get out NOW, you’re just not going to make it. Here are some signs it may be time to throw caution to the wind and hand in your notice for the sake of your sanity and well-being.
1. The Sunday night dread is real.
When the weekend winds down, anxiety creeps in. That pit in the stomach isn’t just about the weekend ending — t’s a warning sign that something’s off with the job. If Sundays feel like preparing for battle, it might be time to wave the white flag.
2. Your physical health has taken a nosedive.
Constant headaches, upset stomach, or insomnia aren’t just inconveniences — they’re your body’s alarm bells going off like mad. When work stress manifests physically, it’s a clear sign that the job is taking a serious toll. If you had a heart attack from stress and unhappiness, there’d be another person at your desk Monday morning. Don’t sacrifice your health for any job.
3. Your default mood is overwhelmingly negative.
Pretty much every conversation you have centres on complaints about your job/boss. Eye-rolling in meetings becomes a habit. If being the office grump feels like second nature, it’s a sign of deep-seated job dissatisfaction that’s hard to shake off.
4. Your values clash with the company culture.
If what the company stands for no longer aligns with your personal beliefs, you have to get out. A major mismatch can create constant internal conflict, making each workday feel like a compromise of integrity. You don’t want to end up hating yourself for a measly pay cheque.
5. Your professional growth has come to a standstill.
The learning curve has flattened out, and each day feels like a rerun of the last. There’s no movement, no upward trajectory, and you’re fed up with it. Without new challenges or opportunities to grow, skills stagnate and career progress grinds to a halt. You’re better off expanding your skills somewhere else.
6. Your boss is a constant source of stress.
A nightmare boss can poison even the best job. If attempts to improve the relationship have failed and there’s no end in sight, the toll on your mental health might outweigh the benefits of staying. Trust me, I’ve been through this myself!
7. Quitting fantasies take over.
Daydreams about dramatic exits or winning the lottery dominate your work hours. When imagining leaving becomes more engaging than actual work, it’s a clear sign that your heart’s no longer in it.
8. Work-life balance becomes a distant memory.
Source: Unsplash Your job has taken over every aspect of your life. Hobbies, friendships, and personal time have all been sacrificed at the altar of work. If the job leaves no room for living, it’s time to reclaim some balance. You don’t want to look back in 30 or 40 years and realise you had no life because you spent it all at the office.
9. The compensation doesn’t match your contributions.
Source: Unsplash Despite proving value and asking for raises, the pay cheque doesn’t reflect the work put in. Feeling consistently undervalued can erode job satisfaction and self-worth over time. You deserve to be paid well and fairly for the work you perform. Don’t let anyone else convince you otherwise.
10. Company instability causes constant worry.
Layoffs, budget cuts, and lost clients create a cloud of uncertainty. If the company’s future looks shaky, it might be smart to seek steadier ground before being forced to. The minute you catch wind this might be happening, hit up LinkedIn, brush up your CV, and get applying elsewhere.
11. The passion for your work has completely died.
The spark that once made the job exciting has completely died out. When apathy replaces enthusiasm, it’s hard to find motivation to keep going. There’s someone else who might be jazzed about the position, but that’s no longer you, so it’s probably time to leave it.
12. Industry changes mean your skills have become (or are becoming) outdated.
The company hasn’t kept up with new trends, leaving employees with obsolete skills. Staying too long in a stagnant environment can hurt future job prospects. It’s important to continue to keep up with the latest advancements so you can compete in your field.
13. Fear has become your main reason for staying.
The only thing preventing a departure is fear of the unknown. When fear of change outweighs job satisfaction, it’s a sign that comfort has become a trap. Sometimes you have to take a risk and just leap. You’ll usually find that you do land on your feet.
14. Your gut feeling says it’s time to go.
Sometimes, intuition speaks louder than logic. A persistent feeling that it’s time to move on shouldn’t be ignored, even if the reasons aren’t clear. Trust your gut!
15. Talking about work becomes embarrassing.
Avoiding conversations about work or downplaying the job role has become the norm for you, and that’s not normal. If there’s shame or embarrassment about the current position, it’s a sign of deeper dissatisfaction. Get out of there sooner rather than later.
16. Work stress is invading your personal time.
Thoughts of work creep into every aspect of life, ruining your weekends and keeping sleep at bay. When work stress becomes all-consuming, it’s time to consider a change. Your relationships with people outside of work or your ability to do the things you love shouldn’t be impacted by your job. If they are, that’s a serious problem.
17. Your level of effort and care have hit rock bottom.
The bare minimum has become your new standard. When there’s no motivation to excel or even meet basic expectations, it’s unfair to everyone involved. It doesn’t feel good to put in only 50% effort (if that), nor will it feel good to the other people on the team who are happier in their positions.
18. Your future at the company looks bleak.
Imagining a future with the company only brings dread or blank space. Without a clear or desirable path forward, it might be time to create a new future elsewhere. Trust me on this one.
