Ever feel like you’ve hit your limit at work? No matter what you do, you’re drained, frustrated, or just done. You’re not alone. Figuring out what to do next is tricky, especially if you’ve read my earlier blog, “Stick It Out”, about why sometimes it’s worth staying even when a job isn’t perfect.
The idea behind “Stick It Out! Why Leaving Your Current Job May Not Be the Best Move” was that leaving when it gets tough can set you back in terms of relationships, experience, and career growth. But here is one important exception: sticking it out doesn’t mean tolerating toxicity or endless frustration.
If you’re going home upset every night, or unloading your stress on loved ones more than usual, it’s a signal. Your mental health, family, and personal life must come first; far above career advancement or worrying about how leaving might look on your résumé.
So how do you leave a job the right way?
First: See if change is possible
Is there someone you trust? A champion at the organization, who will be honest with you about whether things can improve and how? Not necessarily your manager, but someone who understands how things really work and will tell you the truth.
If there’s no one like that, or the honest answer is “this isn’t going to change,” that tells you a lot. If you do find someone and believe change is realistic, your journey may stop here. If not, move to step two.
Second: Plan your exit carefully
Some people worry about leaving before a year or two because it might “look bad.” This is about acute situations, your well-being, not career ladders. If you dread going in every day and it’s affecting you personally, it’s time to act. Put your feelers out confidentially, apply actively, and work on an exit plan.
Balance urgency with finding the right next opportunity. You don’t want to jump into something worse. But if nothing else works, resigning before having a new job can sometimes be the best move to protect your sanity. The upside of this decision is that you can focus on your job search 100%.
Third: Resign, ideally with a plan
Once you’ve made the decision, resign professionally and on your terms. Then decide whether you want to speak up in an exit interview or quietly move on. Not every battle is yours to fight, and sometimes protecting your peace is more important. Only you can know what’s best for you.
At the end of the day, your well-being comes first. You get to decide what’s best for you, and sometimes, stepping away is the smartest and healthiest choice you can make.