When my alarm went off in the morning I had enough time to shower, eat breakfast, and maybe read a few pages of a book or watch one episode of my favorite show. Instead of getting out of bed when the alarm went off, I would sit on the edge of the bed with a knot in my stomach. I hate my job, is the thought that constantly ran through my head. By the time I would peel myself off the bed, shower, and head out the door.
This wasn’t just the Monday blues. I felt this way every day! I dreaded facing the workday.
I wanted to quit, but I was convinced that I couldn’t. I was raised by parents who taught me once you found a “good” job, you stayed put. It didn’t matter if the job wasn’t a good match, as long as you were paid a decent salary, you suck it up until it was time to retire. On top of that, I worked at one of the best-paying companies in the region I lived in. Most of my coworkers were just as miserable and stressed as I was but they comforted themselves by remembering that “at least the pay is good. Where else is there to go where we would make this amount of money?” So, I stayed at the job, convinced that this was just the way things were going to be.
Then the pandemic happened and the stress and anxiety I felt at my job intensified. After talking it over with my family and organizing my finances, I turned in my resignation. Yes, I was one of the four million people who quit their job during the pandemic.
I realized having a positive mindset and pushing through wasn’t cutting it anymore. I noticed different areas of my life were being affected by my toxic work environment. Here are some of the things I experienced while trying to push through at a job I did not like.
4 Consequences of Staying At a Job You Hate
1. Your anxiety or depression can increase
When you constantly expose yourself to stress it can ramp up any mental health issues you are already dealing with. Most of us work 40+ hours a week, so even if you don’t struggle with mental health issues a job that constantly causes you to feel stressed, worried, or annoyed can bring about anxiety and depression.
2. You’re always tired and nothing interests you anymore
That frustration, worry, and pessimism that you feel towards your job will trickle into your daily life. You stop hanging out with friends. Your hobbies start collecting dust. And sex?! Hmph, you aren’t in the mood!
You always feel drained and don’t have the energy to do anything. Wake up, go to work, come home, eat, sleep, repeat. This is horrible! It’s not fair to yourself, your loved ones, or your friends.
3. Your self-confidence suffers
Staying in a job you hate can cause you to look at yourself differently. You begin to blame yourself for accepting the job in the first place. Even if you’re good at the job, if you aren’t using your natural skills and talents, you start to feel unhappy.
4. Your body aches a lot
Stress shows up in the body in many ways.
Frequent migraines, back pains and general muscle tension. Even that stomach ache you have could be linked back to the stresses you feel from that 9 to 5 that you hate.
So, what’s the solution?
If you’re reading this, I know you’ve already read countless articles telling you how to survive working at a job you hate. These tips are very helpful, but if the work you do/the company you work for does not match your values or career goals, then they can only hold off those feelings of unhappiness but for so long..
What worked for me was figuring out what I enjoyed doing and planning my exit.
Finding a career and/or company that aligns with your skills, talents, and purpose is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Once I figured out my values, I was able to determine what I wanted in a career.
Next I began to plan my exit. I calculated my living expenses and began saving any extra money I had. Once I had a comfortable amount saved, I gave notice to my job that I was leaving.
We spend a lot of time at work, we shouldn’t be miserable while we’re there!
No amount of money or status is worth being mentally and/or physically ill. Take care of yourself.
Jandra's Journal 