Let’s be honest—some jobs don’t just suck the life out of you… they drain your soul, one Zoom call at a time.
If you’re constantly feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or just downright miserable, you might not be “burned out.” You might be stuck in a toxic cycle—and your job could be slowly killing you.
Here are 10 red flags to watch for:
1. You wake up dreading the day.
Not just a “Ugh, Monday” vibe. We mean existential crisis before coffee levels of dread.
2. You’re always tired, even after rest.
No amount of sleep or weekends seem to help. You’re permanently in “low battery” mode.
3. You’ve got physical symptoms.
Headaches. Stomach problems. Panic attacks before meetings? Your body’s literally saying “Get out.”
4. Your confidence is shot.
Your boss always criticizes, never praises. You start to believe you’re not good at anything.
5. You have zero work-life balance.
You’re answering emails during dinner. And dreaming about spreadsheets. Yeah… not cute.
6. You cry—often.
In the bathroom. In your car. On your lunch break. You shouldn’t need tissues as part of your daily workflow.
7. You feel trapped.
Like you can’t leave. Like you have to stay because of bills, kids, status, whatever. That’s fear, not reality.
8. You’re numb.
You don’t even feel angry or upset anymore. You’re just… disconnected from everything.
9. You’ve stopped caring.
You used to try. Now? You couldn’t care less if the company burned to the ground.
10. You fantasize about quitting daily.
That dramatic email. Walking out mid-meeting. Selling coconut drinks on a beach. You’re already halfway out mentally.
So… What Now?
You don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s your permission slip to make a change.
Start small:
- Update your resume.
- Apply to one job a day.
- Explore remote or freelance work.
- Talk to someone (friend, coach, therapist).
And most importantly—stop waiting for the “right time.”
Your mental and physical health is the right time.
Leaving might be scary.
But staying in a soul-crushing job? That’s way scarier.