It is not uncommon for people to have a hard time with their careers and still be at work every day. But working a job you hate can be one of the most frustrating and exhausting things in life.

So, what do you do when you hate your job but you just can’t quit?

Here are helpful tips to consider, as shared by experts:

Make a plan for the long term

Having a goal in mind is the most essential thing you can do for yourself in this life. If you’re considering making a career change or establishing your own business, you should have a specific vision of where you want to go in the future.

To attain your objective, you will need to devise a strategy and begin working toward it.

Get better at what you do

If you find yourself saying, “I despise my job,” it’s time to start honing your abilities so that you may land the job of your dreams. What if you want to be your own boss?

For example, you need entrepreneur abilities that will aid you in your career. Your technical and communication abilities must also be improved to operate as a freelancer.

Get the most out of your training

Before you quit your current employment, take advantage of the company’s training program to learn something new.

For example, if you’re a senior production engineer, you may approach your boss about getting training on the most recent tools. You and your future career path would both benefit from this arrangement.

Invest time in your business proposals

Starting your own business is advantageous regardless of what you intend to do after leaving your current position. Make a plan for your brand and build a new team to assist you in expanding your company.

You should begin upgrading your social media pages in accordance with your business strategies and requirements now.

Reasons to hate your job:

• You don’t get along with your boss or coworkers

You’re considering quitting your work since you and your boss don’t get along. One of the major influences on how you feel at work is the interaction between your manager and your coworkers. The individuals significantly influence your job you contact daily.

Related: How to Deal With Coworkers Who Don’t Like You

• Acknowledgment deficiency

There aren’t many places of business where employees are rewarded for their hard work and accomplishments. It’s possible that this is the root of your self-described “hatred” of your employment.

Anyone who puts forth the effort to perform their finest work should be rewarded. However, many companies fail to consider this at all.

• Unpleasant workplace

There’s a good chance that you’ll spend most of your waking hours at work with your coworkers. When deadlines and expectations are reached, it can be difficult for employees. In addition, working in a hazardous atmosphere makes you more irritable.

Related: 30+ Workplace Conflict Examples and How to Resolve Them

• Work environment

You may find yourself doing a job only to make ends meet, even if you don’t enjoy it. Having a job only to pay the bills and make money may be a challenging experience.

• Doing the same thing every day for years and not getting any raises

Another factor for lack of motivation is doing the same thing every day for years and not getting any raises. When a company fails to provide a clear route to advancement for its employees, those workers are more likely to turn elsewhere for employment opportunities.

I worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years before the pandemic hit and had been with my then-employer for seven years. I had tried my hand at starting a business in the past, but it only lasted for a few years before we shut it down.

After this “failure,” I was reluctant to try again and settled into the routine of working at the restaurant despite not feeling fulfilled personally or professionally.

When I got laid off in March 2020 due to the pandemic, my whole world got turned upside down!

While I didn’t love the shake-up at first, there were some great lessons that I learned that got me to where I am today:

Diversify your income

For me, that meant cleaning houses as a side hustle while I was working from home as a ghostwriter and VA.

When the restaurant came back and I was vaccinated, I went back part-time because the money was good and only working there two days a week meant I was less likely to burn out on either the restaurant or the cleaning gigs.

Now that I’m an FT freelancer, I maintain the same attitude by refusing to put all my eggs in one basket. I have a personal limit on how many projects I’ll take on for a single client each week.

That means if one of them jumps ship for any reason, I still have plenty of income coming in until I can replace the client that left.

Stash your cash

It goes without saying, but having some savings built up means you can take bigger risks. If you don’t love your job now, cut whatever budget corners you can to stack up enough to carry you through if you just can’t take it anymore.

For me, that meant picking up walking and running as my fitness to cut out any gym costs, cutting out takeout or dining out (we only had three meals during the first year and a half of the pandemic that I didn’t make at home!), and seriously curbing any “retail therapy.”

Learn additional skills

While I have a solid academic background, I had never even considered blogging a profession and had no clue what it would entail. Two years later, I’m making just shy of 6 figures because I’ve gotten really good at my craft.

Invest in your relationships

I currently have a roster of 8 wonderful clients who consistently give me a lot of business. Perhaps it’s my 20+ years of service industry talking.

Still, being thorough with my communications has helped me develop trusting relationships with the women who are now funding my lifestyle!

Start small

When I started writing, I was paid just $15/hr. That seemed fair since I had no professional experience doing it.

Over time, I became more and more in demand at the company I was working at, which led me to believe that I was good at what I do and that I could probably make more doing it.

Do your research

What does your competition charge? What’s the going rate for your product or service? I quickly realized that I was getting less than half the going rate for my work when I started.

(I stayed with the company part-time for a year, though, since they gave me a safe way to make money during a global pandemic. Again, it’s all about relationships!)

Believe in yourself

It takes a lot of time, energy, and grit to get good at anything. Invest in yourself with books, classes, podcasts, or even just the time to work on becoming an expert in your field.

Don’t be too big for your britches

But also, don’t be too big for your britches. I know plenty of people who have a particular idea of what their work should look like, and they won’t make any compromises.

There’s no shame in picking up a side-hustle as an Uber driver or delivery person or house cleaner or restaurant worker or whatever.

I have both a bachelor’s and a master’s from two of the top universities in the US, but that doesn’t mean I’m not “too good” for cleaning. It was an avenue I used to get me to where I am today.

And it also gave me lots of time to listen to informative podcasts to help me keep upskilling and a way to get paid to exercise!

Never stop learning

Being a voracious reader and an eternally curious person has helped me become a better writer. When you find your passion, keep working on getting better and better at it!

Dedicate time to making your dreams come true

The hustle is essential, but so is rest. If you’re currently working a full-time job, you don’t have a ton of time to upskill. You’ll need to dedicate time before or after work and even weekend time to make your dreams come true.

I highly suggest everyone gives themselves one day per week with a strict no working policy. All work and no play make for a sorrowful, tiresome life.

Prepare for some setbacks

No career path is entirely straightforward. There will be ups, and there will undoubtedly be downs. Make sure you have a strong support system in the form of friends, family, and mastermind groups.

Related: How to Build a Personal and Family Support System

Also, talk to yourself like you would a friend when those inevitable setbacks occur. You can recognize the mistake but then learn from it and move on. Negative self-talk and rumination don’t do any good!

Make time for self-care every day

It sounds dumb, but doing things like getting a good night’s rest, eating my vegetables, making time for exercise, and giving myself a real lunch break has been vital to keeping me going without hitting a wall of burnout.

You should never stay at a job that you hate. I’ve done it early in my career, and it is both mentally and physically draining, unhealthy, and downright toxic.

Sooner or later, your job performance will drop to the point where you are eventually fired, or your attitude will be so raw that no one will want to work around you and vice versa.

Evaluate why you believe you cannot quit your job

So if you’ve come to the very sad conclusion that you hate your job but can’t quit, think again! First, evaluate why you believe you cannot quit your job.

Most people will say they just can’t afford it because of bills and obligations. This is the exact moment when you should begin slashing your budget to the bare-bones minimum to prepare yourself to live on far less than before.

• Cancel all subscriptions
• Switch cell plans
• Quit eating out
• Cook and make your own coffee drinks at home

Check to see if you can switch your medical plan

Second, if you have a spouse, check to see if you can switch them and any children you share onto their medical plan.

If you quit or get fired, at least the entire family still has health insurance through the other spouse’s plans without a sudden drop or gap in coverage.

Update your resume and post everywhere

Third, update your resume and post everywhere, and apply everywhere. This is a given.

Be 100% open to working on a temporary contract

Fourth, be 100% open to working on a temporary contract. People tend to look down on a project, temporary or contract position opting for a “real” job or to be a full-time employee.

But there can be significant benefits gained from working in these roles. Employers are much more willing to take a chance on you even if you don’t exactly fit the job like a hand in a glove.

They’re looking for skill-based individuals to come and do the job and then leave but not necessarily be an overall fit into the organization.

Expand and diversify your background, experience, and software skills

Further, you can significantly expand and diversify your background, experience, and software skills by working as a contractor for multiple companies.

Fifth, not only will you typically be paid more money, but contract/project and temporary companies for years have now been offering medical, dental, and vision benefits plus access to 401k.

Long gone are the myths that you don’t get benefits when you work contract/temporary.

Don’t share your plans with friends and family outside of your spouse

Finally, don’t share your plans with friends and family outside of your spouse. People mean well, but they often give other people terrible advice, like staying in toxic environments until things get better.

Folks are scared to do what you are proposing, so they project their fear onto you, keeping you paralyzed in your career and life. So get comfortable with being uncomfortable!

Be more aware of how your qualities can be communicated in your work

It’s intense exploring how long to remain in a toxic workplace. The simple response is to advise you to leave, yet it’s not that straightforward 100% of the time!

You most likely depend on that employer’s stability to cover lease, food, and other everyday costs. In addition, the quest for new employment can be endless in an unfortunate economy (or a pandemic).

Here are some tips to help you out:

Put down stopping points

Try not to bring your work home and always take your mid-day break.

Track down outlets

Observe a leisure activity or something you love to alleviate pressure.

Find a support system

Track down a companion, or relative, beyond work that you can vent to.

They could feel like they need to comfort you by offering exhortation, yet it’s okay if you simply have to move some annoyance or bitterness out into the open. Assuming that is the situation, ask them to tune in simply.

Keep away from the chatter

It may be enticing to trade shocking tales with partners to assuage pressure. However, it can fuel the fire and exacerbate what is happening.

Thus, attempt to keep away from those murmur meetings. Simply slap on those clamor offsetting earphones and suffocate everything.

Make an arrangement

Being in a task you disdain can feel deadening. It’s normal to feel miserable, focused, or outright stuck while working in a place that you realize isn’t appropriate for you.

To manage this, I urge you to battle the desire to capitulate to defenselessness and, on second thought, take your power back by making an arrangement.

Consider how your work lines up with your qualities

Lastly, consider how your work lines up with your qualities. For instance, assuming you’re somebody that appreciates helping individuals, ponder how your occupation adds to an ideal world for other people.

On the off chance that you love learning, contemplate where there are excellent chances to realize what you are now doing. Being more aware of how your qualities can be communicated in your work can build your degree of fulfillment.

Try to cope with this reality by pretending everything is okay

You have a job, and you don’t like it. You try to cope with this reality by distracting, ignoring the problem, and pretending everything is okay.

But what if I told you that you could quit your current job, build an online business and make a living greater than what you are making right now?

This is what I did, and now I can choose with whom I work because I have an extra income from online marketing. Or, when this income becomes substantial and stable, I can quit and further build my own business.

Start a blog about your passion

Internet marketing was always appealing to me. I am also a coffee enthusiast. When I was looking for a semi-automatic espresso machine, I started reading online reviews to decide which one was best for me.

I realized that online information needs a lot of improvement, and most of it doesn’t provide any value. It’s commercial content that tries hard to sell rather than helping you make a purchasing decision.

The idea has been born! Most self-development gurus teach you to follow your passion. I enjoy the ritual of making quality coffee at home. I can produce barista-grade espresso-based drinks at home.

So, I thought, why not start a coffee blog to provide the extra value to the readers and get paid by affiliate commissions. This was a side hustle for me, and I didn’t know many things about digital marketing.

I entered online communities and gathered technical information from the best digital marketers. I even joined a couple of paid courses. I wanted to move forward fast, so I was trying to learn from successful people.

Related: 39 Habits of Successful People (the Ultimate List)

Digital nomads or marketers that were making a living online. I saw huge potential, and still, I believe there is plenty of space.

Improve yourself consistently, and your grow skills

When you decide to build your own business, you have to develop a different attitude. You need to improve yourself consistently and grow skills you didn’t have as an employee.

Internet marketing is a competitive field, and things change really fast. You need to keep training yourself and adopting new strategies and tactics to promote your business. This attitude is something that all entrepreneurs must-have.

Owning a blog that makes income every month is a real business, and it’s not just passive income.

Don’t blame anyone if you hate your job

If you have a job and hate it, don’t blame anyone. Don’t lose time and energy on things that won’t help you change the situation. Try to make your passion a business.

This is what I did with coffee. I couldn’t start a coffee business, but I saw potential in a coffee blog. If you have a hobby or passion, check how you can monetize it through blogging.

The biggest mistake you can make if you hate your job is to do nothing and just hope that things will eventually get better. No, they won’t. If you’re stuck in a job that you hate, the best thing you can do is take action and try to improve your situation.

Try to build positive relationships with your co-workers

First, try to build positive relationships with your co-workers. Getting along with the people you work with can make a big difference in how you feel about your job.

No matter how much you dislike your job, it’s essential to show up and do your best every day. If you’re constantly calling in sick or slacking off, it will only worsen your situation.

Think about what you could do to make your job more enjoyable

Moreover, think about what you could do to make your job more enjoyable. If you can’t stand your boss, see if there’s anything you can do to make your working relationship better.

If you’re bored with your work, try to find ways to make it more challenging or exciting.

Change your perspective

It’s also essential to change your perspective on your current situation. If you’re stuck in a job that you hate, it’s easy to focus on your work’s negative aspects. However, try to focus on the positive aspects of your job.

For instance, maybe you have a short commute or flexible hours. Or perhaps you get to work from home occasionally. Whatever the case may be, find something to appreciate about your job.

Look for a new job

One option is to start looking for a new job. This can be tough, but it’s important to remember that you deserve to be happy in your career.

Start by updating your resume

Start by updating your resume and reaching out to your network. You may also want to consider attending job fairs or networking events.

Related: How to Prepare for a Job Fair

If you are good at what you do, don’t give up. Start reaching out to headhunters and companies that you’re interested in. It may take some time, but eventually, you’ll find a job that’s a better fit for you.

Start your own business on the side

Another option is to start your own business on the side. The learning curve can be steep, but it’s worth it if you’re passionate about what you’re doing.

Not only will you be able to make your own hours and work from home, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re your own boss.

For example, if you work in finance, why not start as a freelance accountant? If you work in sales, why not create a direct-selling business? There are endless possibilities.

The most important thing is to take action and not give up on your dreams. It’s never too late to make a change. So if you hate your job, don’t wait around for things to get better — take charge and make a change, starting today.

It can be challenging to make it through the day when you hate your job. You may feel like you can’t quit for financial reasons or be afraid to start over in a new career. However, there are things you can do to make your job more tolerable.

Try to find ways to enjoy your work

First, try to find ways to enjoy your work. Even if you don’t love your job, finding something to enjoy about it can make it more tolerable.

You may want to focus on the positive aspects, such as the people you work with or the satisfaction of completing a project.

Find or build a good support system at work

Second, it’s essential to find or build a good support system at work. This can include your co-workers, boss, or even a professional organization. Having people you can rely on can make a big difference in how you feel about your job.

Take care of yourself both physically and mentally

Third, take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Remember that your job does not define you. It’s important to have a healthy balance between your work and personal life.

Make sure to schedule time for yourself outside of work, and don’t be afraid to pursue your hobbies and interests. When you have a positive outlook, it will be easier to get through the tough days at work.

Remember that it’s okay to move on from a job you hate

Finally, remember that it’s okay to move on from a job you hate. If you’ve tried everything and you’re still miserable, it may be time to look for something new. Don’t be afraid to take the leap and pursue a career that makes you happy.

The employee should observe how long they have left on their current contract

There are many reasons why individuals might feel like they are tied to a job and cannot afford to quit. One of these may be familial commitments, household circumstances, and dependents that rely on one.

This makes it difficult for a person to quit a job at the first whim and begin to seek other avenues of earning income.

In different scenarios, regardless of familial circumstances, a company might make it hard for you to quit by giving you added lucrative bonuses and making attempts to retain your services.

Alternatively, they might even be bolder and sterner about it. In this latter scenario, it is advised that an employee observe how long they have left on their current contract and wait that period out while giving their best at work.

Although technically possible, leaving without any notice reflects very poorly in that it shows a dear absence of professionalism.

Work on a hobby or a passion that you can seek to monetize

In the other scenario mentioned above, whereby obligations at work do not bind you, but instead, you cannot risk being on a long job hunt unemployed after you quit your current job despite disliking it, the chances are that you can make your routine more exciting and meaningful by working on a hobby or a passion that you can seek to monetize and build on in the future.

For example, this may include taking up a creative writing venture or authoring fictional stories. It could also mean trying out your luck with photography or more traditional routes investing in real estate, etc.

This way, you won’t have to risk compromising on your domestic priorities, yet also make space for more enjoyable activities aside from a job you do not particularly like.

Describe all the aspects of your workplace that you enjoy

I believe it’s likely that not all aspects of your employment are terrible. There is undoubtedly something you enjoy about your job, as you accepted it for a reason.

When you dislike your job, one of the most crucial factors to consider is whether you are willing to accept and carry out the duties of this position.

You might love the perks your employment provides

You are exempt from working. Numerous individuals are not employed. However, there is a good probability that you love the perks your employment provides, including your salary.

Consider everything you may be thankful for

Before you begin screaming and raving about your job to everyone you know (I have been that person), consider everything you may be thankful for (especially during a time like COVID).

Before you begin to hunt for new employment, you must focus on your perspective on your current position.

When contemplating a move to a new profession or career, it is vital to approach the situation from a position of opportunity, not desperation.

By compiling a list of the aspects of your job that you enjoy, you may objectively assess the subsequent steps.

This will help you develop a sustainable transition strategy, ensuring that your future career will be one that truly satisfies you instead of just an escape plan.

Resign from emotional attachment to your job

We all want our jobs to be packed with engaging projects, creative brainstorming, and meaningful contributions. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Sometimes people don’t like their jobs, but for some reason, whether personal, financial, or health-related, they can’t quit. So what should employees do when they hate their job but can’t leave?

The worst thing you can do is constantly complain about your situation. Such an attitude negatively impacts your well-being and the people around you.

My advice is to resign from emotional attachment to your job. If you can’t change it, accept it. Just do your thing, complete the tasks, and try to find something that brings you benefits.

Apply a mindfulness approach to your situation

Maybe your job is tedious, but you have time to develop your skills by completing a course? The key is to apply a mindfulness approach to your situation. Accept things as they are and don’t try to make them different or think how they “should” be.

Be okay that you don’t have a dream job now. It’s just a phase, and it won’t last forever. You’re there to earn money. Focus on other things outside your job that bring joy to your life.

Time spent with your child, playing tennis with friends, or grabbing coffee with a neighbor — aren’t these moments more important than a mediocre job?

The most important thing to realize (especially when you hate your job) is that you work in that position by choice.

Embrace the fact that you are in control of your career

Deeply embracing the fact that you are in control of your career (not the company or your boss) will enable you to gradually check out the job you hate while preparing your exit strategy.

As you begin to claw back control of your professional life, you will find that much of what you hate will aggravate you less. By “checking out,” your emotional triggers at work are dulled.

Invest less energy in gossip, politics, and meetings

You are no longer helpless and simply don’t react the same. Gossip and the politics at work will have less impact. They lose much of their effect because you know you are leaving; you just don’t know when.

My whole attitude at work changed. More work got done by investing less energy in gossip, politics, and meetings. The job I hated hadn’t changed; I had.

Focusing my energy on my job campaign created energy and hope. Eight months later, I had a new job.

Ask your employer if they’d be open to transitioning your position to a remote one

Now that remote work has become more widespread; it’s worth asking your employer if they’d be open to transitioning your position to a remote or hybrid one.

Remote work can play a huge role in fighting burnout and helping improve work-life balance. If you’re unsatisfied in your current position but aren’t ready to leave, remote work may be a win-win for you and your employer.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Remote Employee Perks and Benefits

It is enough to relieve stress and restore hours to people’s day

Simply eliminating the daily commute is enough to relieve stress and restore hours to people’s day. The possibility of living closer to family, with a more flexible schedule, in a lower-cost city and the potential benefits compound.

Remote work is not a cure-all, but it’s relatively low-hanging fruit that can move you in the right direction.

It benefits the employers by saving on office costs

Now that remote work has gone mainstream; employers understand its benefits and how it can play a vital role in their workforce.

Don’t forget they benefit too by saving on office costs and having a happier, more engaged, and productive employee.

Related: 7 Benefits of Working from Home for Employers

Look at the bigger picture

Most occupations aren’t very fascinating or thrilling on a daily basis. There will always be duties and activities that feel taxing.

But there’s also something greater at work. Your work is in service of something important, no matter how mundane it may seem.

Connecting your current task to that greater something might provide more incentive and delight to your work. Make an effort to communicate with the purpose of what you’re doing.

Maybe talking on the phone with a grumpy customer isn’t your favorite activity. It’s simpler to immerse yourself into something when you realize that you can make someone’s terrible day better.

Think about how the job may develop your skills

Think about how the job may develop your skills and build experience even if you hate it. It’s time to ramp up the volume if you’re feeling underutilized and unappreciated or if your life has turned into a Groundhog Day-style carnival of sameness.

Pick something special that interests you and make it a challenge for yourself and a way to hone your skills. Perhaps your favorite aspect of your job is designing and pitching potential clients.

Concentrate on it. Read all you can about public speaking and giving presentations. In your leisure time, take a free online course. Do whatever it takes to get good at the portion of your work you like the most and include it in your day.

Start your own company and become your own boss

While I held a high position in the organization with a lot of responsibilities, I dreaded working with my boss because she would use the opportunity to make sure I knew the hierarchy in the company.

Suggestions were received as insults, and my ideas were turned down ten times out of ten but later used in meetings and passed off as her own.

Overall, I felt like my position within the company was more to be the emotional punching bag when things went wrong, while the boss would be quick to come forth when there were victories to celebrate and take credit for.

I needed the money, so I stuck with the job. However, I didn’t feel appreciated. My superiors seldom appreciated my creative input or ideas, but I never lost my sense of self-worth and devised a plan to change my situation.

I know that in today’s corporate culture, companies will replace us in a heartbeat if a better candidate becomes available, and corporations love to use this fear-based tactic to keep you on edge forever, fearing losing your job.

And I had this feeling for years, but after one horrible day of being underappreciated, I sat down on the edge of my bed, had a little cry, and thought, damn this.

I will start my own tech company and become my own boss.

My plan was simple. Learned as much as I could during my time there on the company’s dime, e.g., audiobooks, online courses, and work experience, while completing mundane tasks and getting funds to start my own venture, which I did by cutting down costs and investing 1/3 of my income into modern asset classes.

And like this, 18-months later, I turned not to be able to quit to I’m quitting. I went to an extreme further to quit my house, car, and fiance and moved to LA to live in a van and run my startup out of it, but that’s a whole other story.

Find a good friend

Friends make things easier. You should have a buddy at work with whom you can hang out, joke around and complain about your job. The last bit is extremely important.

There’s something therapeutic about standing with your colleague and ranting about how your job is ruining your life.

This relationship with a colleague can even blossom into a beautiful friendship. You could visit a bar with an office buddy after work and have a swell time. Good work buddies can be the saving grace of a bad job.

Try to get things done during office hours

People who don’t like their job often slack off at work. This does nothing but add to your misery.

You find yourself doing overtime because you were scrolling through social media during office hours. Now you have to spend even more time in the environment you hate.

So no matter how much you despise your job, try to get things done during office hours. Once your tasks for the day are complete, leave the office and don’t look back until the following day.

Change the way you think about your job

It’s not in your best interest to continue to be overwhelmed with sorrow at your current work as you prepare for your next move. It is often helpful to redefine how you look at your work to handle this.

Think about what you can be grateful for in your professional life

One approach to achieving this is to think about what you can be grateful for in your professional life. Consider how your employment relates to your personal ideals.

Consider how your job contributes to a better world for others

Consider how your job, for example, contributes to a better world for others if you appreciate assisting people. If you enjoy learning, consider whether there are opportunities to do so in your current job.

Increase your level of satisfaction by being more conscious of how your values might be conveyed in your work. It might even spark some project ideas for you to pitch to your boss.

Maximize your time away from work

As an expert, I feel that having a lousy career does not equate to having a lousy life. Work consumes so much of our time and energy that it would be a tragedy to feel confined and unfulfilled.

Nonetheless, if you can’t resign (at the moment) and your job is non-negotiable, you must concentrate on what you can control. This is your life outside of the workplace. You may have enormous family duties and little free time outside of work hours.

However, you should maximize every spare time you have, even if it’s only a half-hour.

Do not allow your career to define you

If you must cook in addition to your other tasks, explore your other obligations imaginatively as you cook. Do not allow your career to define you.

Take time to pursue your passions. Take an evening class or prepare your favorite meal if you enjoy painting. Dance, sing or engage in any activity that brings you joy.

If you are experiencing career dissatisfaction but don’t want to quit your job, there are some things you can do to improve your situation.

Try to identify the source of your unhappiness

First, try to identify the source of your unhappiness. This can be not easy, but it is essential to be honest with yourself. Once you have identified the issue, you can start to work on resolving it.

Write down your thoughts and feelings

Additionally, it can be helpful to take a break from your job and reassess your situation. When you come back, you will be in a better position to assess whether or not quitting is the right path for you.

Remember that quitting without a plan could lead to disaster, so be systematic in your approach. Above all, remember that you are worth more than a job — even if you don’t love it.

Consider what is causing you to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed

It is said that being unhappy at work can have an impact on your personal life, but I think that having low life satisfaction can make work much worse than it would otherwise be.

Sometimes what we perceive as simple workplace annoyance is a symptom of a more severe problem. Consider what is genuinely causing you to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed in the first place.

Talk to a friend or a therapist

Talking with a friend or a therapist may be beneficial in determining how to make positive adjustments at work and in your personal life.

If the problem is that your job isn’t providing you with enough mental satisfaction, you might want to consider looking for it elsewhere. It may be possible to fill the hole left by an unpleasant work with new friendships, a volunteer role, or even just a new interest.

Participate in enriching pursuits

Make your life outside of work as fulfilling as you possibly can. Taking a well-deserved breather at the end of each workday is critical to stay grounded and happy.

Offset your work with stimulating activities outside of it that make you feel alive. Consider picking up a new hobby, going on a hike, or starting a creative project to make the most of your weekends and days off.

Set reasonable boundaries

Overwork contributes to burnout and disillusionment with one’s work. Learn how to establish appropriate boundaries with your coworkers and manager. Know how to say no.

Establish work-life boundaries, set limits, and ask your manager to delegate specific responsibilities to someone else if you are overworked.

Frequently Asked Questions