My job makes me depressed. Should I quit it?

According to a recent survey, the number of people who do not like their jobs has increased in the last few years. I think many of those people are in the exact job that they wanted, back in the day.Their perception of the job, even a they wanted it and liked at first, inevitable changes. They don’t feel like going to the office, and except for quitting, they don’t see any solutions. Let’s discuss more on that before we get to the conclusion.

Quitting a job is not difficult, and obviously feels easier in the moment than sticking around. But without planning, it is equivalent to jumping down from a high place when you do not yet see the ground. That’s why before deciding to quit a job, first, reconsider the reasons that are making you quit the job. If those reasons are temporary, then don’t make a hasty decision. Otherwise, by all means, you should say goodbye to your job, but with proper planning.

Here are two main reasons that a job becomes stressful.

1) Management does not recognizeor let you utilize your qualifications and skills to the full extent. It can be a situation where there is a lot you can give to your job, but you aren’t being put in the right situation. Examples include delayed promotions or being forced to do work beneath your pay grade.

2) Sometimes, there is no rapport with the higher-ups. That can be a reason that the higher officials do not cooperate and it makes the job stressful.

So basically, the two big problems are either being invisible to management, or not being respected by them. #1 is generally easier to fix than #2.

In addition to the above reasons, there can be many more reasons that a job becomes stressful. But in my opinion, these two are the core problems, the ones that cause other, smaller problems to not be fixed.

Think Again…

Ask yourself why you want to leave the job. Is it because of how you feel right now, emotionally, or is it a logical deduction, that you know your time is not being valued? In either case, never, ever quit a job to make a statement or prove something to somebody else. That is way too much power and credence to lend to people who don’t deserve it. Give yourself some time. Talk to your boss about office problems. If you still end up leaving, let it be with an easy conscience, knowing you did what you could. It’s also important to consider questions like how dependent you are on this industry. How long can you last without a job, and would it be difficult to move into a new field, if that’s what you prefer? Only you can figure out which of these questions actually matter in your case.

Now then, if you do decide to quit your job, what then?

While leaving, keep your mindset and vision very clear. Keep your attitude professional even when you leave the job. Do not lose your enthusiasm. You’re leaving something that was not good for you, which should be a good thing. Create a to-do list like updating the resume, adding new skills, searching for a new job, etc. Stay proactive and work on  3S. 

I have discussed 3S in my post: I’m Ready to Quit My Job YESTERDAY, How Do I Do It? which can be helpful and inspiring for anyone who is planning to quit a stressful job or has already quit. I have made that post based on my experience with a stressful job I had. I went into depression, but today, I am in a vastly better position, financially and emotionally, and ready to help anyone who is facing the same situation as I faced some years back. I am also working with an NGO that helps employees resolve their job stress. My post is one such initiative for that.

In conclusion, one should consider the points discussed in this answer and that post before he/she decides to quit a stressed job. However, there are some unavoidable reasons due to which unplanned quitting might be necessary. Still, if possible, plan well before quitting.

Good Luck!

Thanks,

Cleo