I didn’t know it at the time, but my job had been slowly burning me out.
I was working at a startup, juggling five roles, saying yes to everything, and telling myself it was just part of the hustle. I was learning fast but running on fumes. Then one morning, on my way to the office, I froze mid-step in the middle of the street. My legs just stopped moving. My brain blanked out. My body refused to keep going.
That moment didn’t give me all the answers, but it gave me one truth: this isn’t sustainable.
Quit your job if it harms your health, doesn't support your goals, offers no advancement, or causes constant dissatisfaction. Leave for better opportunities aligned with your values, goals, and well-being.
For a long time, I second-guessed myself. I battled guilt, fear, and the “what ifs.” But one day, I just quit, without an offer in hand. I later turned to a few job search sites to see what else was out there; this time, making sure I fully understood the job requirements and team culture before applying. When I finally made the leap and joined G2, the difference was immediate: structure, support, clear roles, and a team that cared.
If you’ve been quietly Googling “when to quit your job,” this guide is for you.
We’ll discuss the signs that it’s time to leave, how to make the decision confidently, and what to do once you’re ready to move forward.
It’s not always a big dramatic moment. Sometimes, it’s subtle: a creeping Sunday dread, a voice in your head during team meetings, or the weight of your own silence when your ideas get ignored.
The signs don’t always show up all at once, but when they do, they tend to pile on. If you’ve been trying to push through, this list may be the confirmation you didn’t know you needed.
You’re exhausted every day, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. No amount of sleep or PTO seems to help. You wake up tired, drag through the day, and dread tomorrow before today’s even over. You may even be dealing with real physical symptoms: headaches, muscle tension, insomnia, or chronic colds from a weakened immune system.
The worst part? You start blaming yourself, thinking you’re just not “tough” enough. But burnout isn’t a character flaw. It’s your body reacting to chronic workplace stress, and it’s a valid reason to quit. If rest no longer recharges you and every workday feels like climbing uphill in the rain, it’s time to pay attention. Burnout doesn’t just cost you energy; it costs you your health.
There was a time when your job challenged and excited you. But now? It’s routine. You’ve mastered your tasks, and you could do them in your sleep. You’ve asked for more responsibility or new opportunities, and gotten vague responses like, “Let’s revisit next quarter.”
If you feel like your growth is being capped, not because of your performance, but because the company has no plan for your advancement, you risk professional stagnation. And the longer you stay in a role that doesn’t evolve with you, the harder it becomes to transition out of it later. Growth doesn’t always mean a promotion. But it does mean learning, evolving, and feeling like your contributions are preparing you for what’s next.
Tip: Brush up on the right way to network on LinkedIn.
Work is more than a paycheck. It’s where you spend 40+ hours a week. If the company’s actions, mission, or decisions no longer sit well with you, that misalignment can create daily friction. Maybe it’s how leadership treats people. Maybe the company changed direction, merged, or shifted values. Or maybe you’ve changed; what mattered to you three years ago isn’t what drives you now.
Whatever the reason, working in a space where your ethical, personal, or cultural values clash with your employer’s can chip away at your motivation and well-being. You don’t need to wait for a scandal to justify leaving. Discomfort alone is valid, especially when it becomes a pattern, not a one-off event.
You’ve done your research. You know the market rate. You’ve taken on more responsibility, delivered strong results, and maybe even trained new hires. You’ve brought it up with your manager, professionally, tactfully, with data, and still… nothing.
Maybe you’ve been told there’s a budget freeze, or that “you’re just not quite there yet.” Meanwhile, you find out a peer is making more. Or that your company just hired someone into a similar role with better pay.
Being underpaid isn’t just frustrating; it’s demoralizing. And when your efforts to address it are brushed off or met with defensiveness, it signals a deeper issue: they don’t see your worth. You deserve to be paid fairly. And if your current employer won’t step up, someone else will.
Tip: Think you’re underpaid? Learn how to ask for a raise.
It starts small: headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping. Then it spirals. You’re crying after work. You dread Mondays so much that Sunday evenings feel like a countdown. You find yourself more irritable, more tired, and less present even in your personal life.
Chronic workplace stress can manifest as depression, high blood pressure, digestive issues, burnout, or full-on shutdown. And if your attempts to address workload, boundaries, or toxic culture fall on deaf ears, you’re not being “dramatic” for thinking of quitting. You’re being realistic. Your health should never be collateral damage.
You show up. You do the work. But there’s no spark. You’re just going through the motions. Maybe you zone out during meetings or avoid new projects. You’re not angry, you’re apathetic. And even praise feels empty, like it’s being directed at someone else.
This kind of disengagement can be harder to recognize than burnout because it’s quieter. But it’s just as dangerous. It signals that you’ve lost connection with your work, and once that happens, it rarely comes back without a major shift. If you’ve tried to reignite interest and nothing sticks, it’s likely time to move on.
Micromanagement. Gossip. Passive-aggressive communication. Blurred boundaries. Fear of retaliation. If any of this feels familiar, you may be stuck in a toxic culture. These environments aren’t always abusive in obvious ways, but they slowly wear you down.
And if you’ve raised concerns, suggested improvements, or tried to set boundaries, only to be ignored or punished, that’s not a fixable situation. It’s a warning. Toxicity doesn’t just affect morale; it affects your safety, your reputation, and your mental health. If no one at the top seems interested in change, it’s time to walk.
Tip: Learn how to spot a hostile work environment.
You’ve contributed smart ideas, flagged problems early, offered improvements, and… crickets. Worse, someone else might be taking credit for your work. Or leadership just isn’t listening at all.
If your impact is invisible despite consistent effort, it's a sign you're not in an environment that supports recognition or upward mobility. That can crush motivation and stall career growth. Recognition isn’t about ego, it’s about opportunity. If your current workplace refuses to see you, find one that will.
We all have bad days. But if you find yourself daydreaming regularly about putting in your notice, starting fresh, or simply not showing up to work tomorrow, that’s your subconscious sending signals.
These thoughts tend to increase over time, especially when you can’t shake them even after time off or a big win. Pay attention to the feelings beneath the fantasies: relief, freedom, excitement. They might be telling you it’s time to act.
You didn’t jump to conclusions. You talked to your manager. You switched teams. You set boundaries. You restructured your workload, went to therapy, and gave it time. But despite all your efforts, you still feel stuck, unhappy, or unfulfilled.
That’s your answer. You gave it your best shot, and sometimes, it’s not about fixing what’s broken. It’s about recognizing when something has run its course. And that’s not failure. That’s growth.
Tip: Ready to quit? Learn how to write a resignation letter.
It’s normal to feel off some days, or even for a few weeks. But if those feelings persist, how do you know whether you’re just stuck in a temporary rut or it’s truly time to move on?
Use the table below to compare your experience and be honest with yourself:
| If you're in a rut | If it’s time to quit |
| You’re bored or unmotivated, but still hopeful about what could improve. | You feel checked out or apathetic, and no longer care about improvements. |
| Breaks, time off, or vacation help you reset, even briefly. | Time off changes nothing. You dread returning, no matter how long you’re away. |
| You still care about the company/team, and want to re-engage. | You’ve lost trust in leadership or culture, and can’t see yourself re-committing. |
| You believe your role can evolve with the right support or change. | You’ve asked for changes, and nothing has improved. The same problems persist. |
| Small wins or progress still feel meaningful, even if rare. | Even your “good” days feel dull, heavy, or draining. |
| You want things to work, and you’re willing to give it time. | You’re already mentally preparing your exit, even without a next step yet. |
Even if you know it's time to move on, quitting impulsively can lead to unnecessary stress. A little prep can go a long way in helping you leave on your terms: confident, organized, and with your reputation (and paycheck) intact.
Here’s a practical checklist to follow before you give notice:
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How you leave a job can matter just as much as how you showed up in it. Whether you loved the role or couldn’t wait to move on, quitting professionally ensures you maintain your reputation, preserve key relationships, and avoid closing doors you might need later.
Start with a direct, respectful conversation with your manager, ideally face-to-face or on video. Keep it short and sincere, and express your decision to leave and your appreciation for the opportunity. There is no need to overexplain. Do offer reasonable notice; two weeks is typical, but some roles may require more. And during that time, stay engaged. Finish strong, wrap up responsibilities, and help set up your replacement for success.
When writing your resignation letter, keep it simple and professional. Thank the company, state your final day, and offer to support the transition. Avoid venting, even if you’re leaving for tough reasons. If you’re asked to do an exit interview, share feedback constructively, but only if you feel comfortable. It’s okay to keep things high-level if the situation doesn’t feel safe or productive.
Finally, thank the people who supported you. A few thoughtful messages can go a long way toward maintaining valuable connections and reminding others what kind of teammate you were, right through the end.
Got more questions? We have the answers.
Start by evaluating your role across five areas: career growth, compensation, alignment with your values, leadership quality, and how the job affects your overall well-being. If multiple areas feel off, and efforts to improve things haven’t helped, it may be time to move on. A pros and cons list or a conversation with a mentor can also bring clarity.
Document specific incidents, including dates, behaviors, and impact. If it feels safe, raise the issue directly or through HR. But if the environment continues to be psychologically unsafe or retaliatory, it may be better to focus on exiting professionally. Toxic leadership rarely fixes itself.
Immediate exits are justified when the job negatively affects your health, violates legal or ethical standards, or becomes psychologically unsafe. If you’re in a situation that puts your safety or integrity at risk, prioritizing your well-being is not only okay, it’s necessary.
Yes. Potential risks include income instability, gaps in employment, or pressure to accept an unfit role out of urgency. However, with a financial cushion and clear goals, it can also be an intentional reset. The key is planning, not reacting.
Build a financial runway that covers at least 2–3 months of essential expenses, ideally more. Review your insurance options, pause non-essential spending, and update your resume in parallel. Having even a part-time income stream can reduce pressure during the transition.
Two weeks is standard in most roles, but leadership or high-responsibility positions may require more. Check your contract or offer letter for specifics. Whatever the length, communicate clearly, offer to help with the transition, and leave on good terms.
Send thank-you notes or messages to coworkers and managers who supported you. Stay connected via LinkedIn or email, and avoid criticizing your previous employer publicly. A gracious goodbye keeps your network strong and doors open.
Leaving a job is rarely simple. Even when you're sure it’s the right move, it can still feel like stepping off a cliff. You may second-guess yourself, worry about perception, or wonder if you’re just being impatient. That’s all normal. But it doesn’t mean you’re wrong.
If your role is hurting more than helping, if you’ve stopped growing, or if you're constantly asking yourself whether you should stay, that’s your signal. You don’t need to wait for things to get worse before you make them better.
I didn’t have another offer when I quit. I just had a quiet conviction that I couldn’t keep going the way I was. That decision led me to a healthier workplace, a clearer head, and a job I could actually see myself growing in.
You deserve that, too.
Start your next chapter with more clarity and confidence. Explore our roundup of the best job search sites to find roles that align with your goals, values, and growth.
This article was originally published in 2019. It has been updated with new information.
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