You Dread Mondays—Every Single Week
Okay, sure—no one jumps out of bed on Monday morning like it’s a holiday. But if you start feeling anxious on Sunday afternoon and that pit-in-your-stomach dread kicks in every week, it’s not just a mood. It’s a red flag.
It could be the work. Or the boss. Or the feeling that you're stuck. Whatever the reason, that consistent sense of unease means your job is draining more than it’s giving. And if it’s been happening for months, not just during a stressful season, it might be time to consider a change.
You’ve Stopped Learning
In the beginning, there were challenges. New tools to master, processes to understand, coworkers to collaborate with. Fast forward to now, and every day feels like a rerun of yesterday.
Being good at your job is great. But if your brain is on cruise control, and you haven’t learned a new skill or stretched yourself in a while, that’s a sign you’ve plateaued. Growth doesn’t always mean climbing the ladder—it might just mean staying curious. If your current role doesn’t give you space for that, another one might.
You Keep Hitting a Brick Wall
You’ve asked for more responsibility. You’ve offered to take on projects. Maybe you’ve even floated the idea of a promotion. But the answer—either direct or subtle—is always no. Or worse, you get vague promises that never turn into anything real.
If leadership doesn’t see your potential, or if there’s simply nowhere left to grow in your current company, staying longer won’t magically fix it. It just puts your ambition on ice. And the longer you stay, the harder it gets to explain why you’re not moving forward.
The Culture Feels Off—And You’re Not Sure You Fit Anymore
Maybe the company changed. Maybe you did.
Your priorities, values, or working style might have evolved. Or maybe leadership has shifted, and the culture feels more cutthroat or chaotic than it used to. If you find yourself biting your tongue more often, avoiding Slack threads, or feeling like an outsider in team meetings, that disconnect matters.
It’s hard to thrive in a space that no longer feels like yours. And pretending it’s “not that bad” is a short-term fix that leads to long-term resentment.
Your Wins Don’t Get Noticed
You’re not the kind of person who needs confetti for every task. But you are putting in the effort—solving problems, helping teammates, even going above your role. And yet... no one seems to notice.
If you’re consistently being overlooked for raises, promotions, or even just basic recognition, it takes a toll. Eventually, you start to wonder, “What’s the point?”
That’s when it’s worth asking yourself: would another team—or another company—actually see what I bring to the table?
You Daydream About Leaving—A Lot
When your go-to fantasy during boring meetings is “What if I just quit and opened a bookstore?”... you’re not alone. Everyone has moments like that. But if you’re constantly refreshing job boards, following people on LinkedIn who seem happier elsewhere, or imagining life outside your current job like it’s a rom-com—you’re already halfway out the door.
The truth is, we usually know when something isn’t right. We just talk ourselves out of it with “Now’s not the right time” or “Maybe things will get better.” But sometimes, the dreaming is a signal. And you owe it to yourself to listen.
Bonus: You Feel Like You’re Wasting Time
This one hits deep. Because it’s not just about the job—it’s about your life.
If you end most weeks feeling like you’re treading water—doing okay, not terrible, but not alive in what you’re doing—that low-level frustration builds. You start to wonder if this is just how work is supposed to feel. (It’s not.)
You don’t have to hate your job to leave it. Sometimes, “fine” just isn’t enough anymore.
