Signs you should quit your job

WHEN you graduate, many expectations are almost immediately bestowed upon you, with one of them being getting a job so that you can contribute to your household ASAP.

Over time, though, you may start to notice that going to work starts to become more and more tedious; the things you once loved doing now seem like pointless tasks. 

The only thing you find joy in is getting your paycheck, and then spending it to distract yourself from the empty feeling inside of you.

If you’ve been feeling this way lately, it may be a sign that you’ve outgrown your job, and it may be time to move on to the next chapter of your life.

If you’re feeling unsure about taking such a big step, read through this list and see if any of these apply to you. If they do, then maybe it’s time to update your CV and open up JobStreet.

1. You have zero work-life balance.

No matter how much of a workaholic you consider yourself to be, you still need to rest. You need to set aside time to unwind, to hang out with your friends, family, and/or partner, and to do the things that you love. 

Neglecting these things often leads to burnout, depression, and the like. 

If your job offers you no flexibility or time for a healthy work-life balance, it’s a job that does not care for your well-being, period. It is not healthy, nor is it sustainable, to have your employees working at all times, for every day of the week. 

Try exploring different work set-ups, or maybe look into jobs that are closer to your home so that you can spend less time on your commute and more with the people you love most.

2. Your pay doesn’t justify your workload.

If you were to ask older generations, they’d say that doing extra work is a part of the job, and is something inescapable no matter your profession. 

But when your workload is equivalent to that of a five-person team and you’re being paid minimum wage, that doesn’t exactly seem fair. 

In school, teachers tell you: “Magpabibo ka lang ng magpabibo;” they believe that, in this way, you stand out to your employers. They start to view you as a hard worker, a go-getter up for any task.

While in some situations your efforts are rewarded, oftentimes this just becomes a sign to exploit you even more. 

“Kayang kaya niya yan, bigay niyo nalang sa kanya.” And the cycle repeats, and repeats, and repeats.

If you know you’re biting off way more than you can chew, you have to learn to say no. Or better yet, find a job that values your boundaries when it comes to the work that they give you. 

3. You’re burnt out all the time.

Sure, not everyone likes their job. You may be the type that just clocks in, does the work, then clocks out.

Whether you love what you do or hate it, though, burnout is inevitable, especially when you’re taking on more than you can handle. 

This, according to WebMD, is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, depression, sleeplessness, headaches, gut pains, and feelings of uselessness and hatred for your job.

Bouts of burnout are bound to happen from time to time, but if you’ve been in one rut for the longest time, maybe it’s a sign that you’re not the problem, the job is. 

As per the Cleveland Health Clinic, something you can do to recover from burnout is to make a change in your life. In this case, that may mean finding a job better suited for you.

4. It all starts to feel like one boring routine.

In movies, you often see the archetypal bright-eyed ingénue alongside the tired older figure who’s been doing the job their entire life. 

“I used to be like you, kid,” is how the latter often starts conversations with the former. What one may not realize, however, is how realistic the portrayal of these characters is. 

Often, you come into your job filled with ideas for change and growth, but you realize along the way that not all of them are possible. A lot of the time, virtually none of them are possible. 

The job starts to weigh on you more and more. While you had the energy to take on extra work and think of creative ways to do your tasks, the act of following a monotone routine, and doing the same few things over and over again, can suck the life right out of you. 

If you no longer find any joy in what you’re doing – if you’ve grown tired of this routine – then it’s time to move on. 

Yes, it’s scary to move away from something you’ve gotten used to for so long, but the unknown is also what makes it so exciting.

5. There’s no more room for growth.

Adults who’ve been working for a long time often say that, if you’re going to job-hop, do it now while you’re young. 

While in the past, there may have been a negative stigma surrounding job hopping, it’s now encouraged to do so – as long as you do it strategically. 

When you’re older, it’s harder to quit your job because most companies offer more benefits to employees who stay longer. There are things like pensions, job security, and many more that you have to consider. 

Now, though, is the time that you have the freedom to explore what job best suits you, your lifestyle, and your skill set. 

Don’t make the mistake of staying at a dead-end job that you know has no more room for growth, whether that be in terms of the salary you get or the things you do. If you find an opportunity that you know will give you more room to grow, then take it.