It’s easy to question whether you’re in the right job — sometimes the grass is always greener on the other side, even if you like your occupation. But if you consistently feel trapped, depressed, or miserable at work, it might be worth looking elsewhere. Here are five tell-tale signs that you should consider quitting your job.
1. You dread going to work every day.
Every morning when the alarm goes off, you begin to feel anxious. You really hate Mondays (even more than Garfield). Unlike the average person, it goes far beyond resenting that the weekend is over: you become seriously uneasy and stressed, knowing that you have to go to work. Whatever the reason — a verbally abusive boss, a soul-sucking job, or a detrimental work environment — dread is a part of your weekday routine. If these feelings are more than temporary (you’re not just nervous before a big presentation, for example) you may want to reconsider your situation. No one should have to face extended apprehension at their job: if you’ve felt this way for months, or even years, it could be time to get over your fear and make a change.
2. Your health is in trouble.
Health is one of the most important things we have — when we don’t take care of ourselves, our well-being can be dramatically affected. If your job interferes with your ability to be healthy, both mentally and physically, it’s probably time to start looking for something else. Take note of your mood outside of work, and whether negative thoughts have become more frequent. Never sacrifice your psychological health, or put off addressing serious medical issues, for a job, no matter how much pressure you may feel.
3. It’s a dead-end job.
When you’re not already doing a job that you love, you often fantasize about what your next role could be. If there’s limited room for advancement at your company, or you know that a promotion is impossible, you should probably consider seeking another opportunity. Always make sure to identify your career goals, and think about each job as a stepping-stone to help you get there. If your job is doing nothing to help you further your professional life or realize your objectives, it might not be the best place for you.
4. You have a dream — but you’re not pursuing it.
Everyone has dreams, and sometimes these dreams align with the career you’ve chosen to pursue. But if they don’t, you may find yourself in a job you don’t really care about, putting off your dreams time and time again. If these pursuits nag at your conscience, always sitting in the back of your mind, it could be time to do something about it. Think about it this way: if you never got the chance to pursue these dreams, for the rest of your life, would you regret it? There’s less time than you think — you never know what could happen tomorrow. Keep this quote by Thomas S. Monson in mind: “One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is important.”
5. You are severely unhappy
The biggest question you can really ask yourself is, are you happy? Let’s face it, no one is happy with their job every single second. But it might be time to re-examine your situation if you find yourself severely unhappy most of the time. Your mood outside of work can also be particularly telling. If you find the stress and unhappiness at work boils over into your personal life, and affects relationships with others — or even just your own attitude — this can be a strong signal that something isn’t right.
It’s not impossible: you have the choice to create any life you want. You already have the tools and resources within you to make your life what you want it to be. Whatever you decide, remember that taking care of your physical body, as well as your psychological well being, are the two most important things in life. Take control of your own life, and make sure you never allow your job to come at the expense of your health and happiness.
Originally published at medium.com