We all have ups and downs at work. A tough week here, a tricky project there… it’s all part of the deal, right? But sometimes, that uneasy feeling doesn’t fade, and you start to wonder: “Is this just a rough patch… or is it time to move on?”
When you’re deep in the day-to-day, it’s easy to second-guess yourself. Maybe everything looks fine on paper – decent salary, good colleagues, interesting projects – yet something still feels off. Or perhaps your role has shifted so much that you hardly recognise it anymore.
If that “should I stay or should I go” question has been sitting quietly at the back of your mind, you’re not alone. In recent years, more people than ever have started rethinking what they want from work: more balance, more meaning, more fulfilment. But knowing when to actually make the leap? That’s the hard part.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to recognise when it might be time to move on – the signs to look for, the questions to ask yourself, and the steps to take next. The aim isn’t to encourage impulsive quitting, but to help you tune in, think things through, and choose your next move with intention, whether that’s reshaping your current role or starting fresh somewhere new.
10 signs it might be time to quit your job
You don’t need to tick every box here. Often, two or three strong signs are enough to tell you it’s time to take a closer look.
1. You feel a knot in your stomach on Sunday evenings. A little back-to-work reluctance is normal. Persistent dread is your body telling you something needs attention.
2. Your values and the company’s values no longer line up. When what matters to you clashes with how your organisation operates, you’ll feel constant friction… no matter how hard you try to “push through.”
3. You’re underused or undervalued. You’ve evolved, but your role hasn’t kept pace. If your contributions go unnoticed or your ideas aren’t taken seriously, it’s a sign your talents might be better appreciated elsewhere.
4. There’s no room to grow. Progress isn’t only about promotions: it’s about learning, challenge and variety. If you’ve asked for new opportunities and nothing shifts, it may be time to look for an environment that stretches you again.
5. The environment drains you. Micromanagement, politicised decision-making, workplace gossip, poor communication or subtle bullying… none of this is “just part of the job.” You deserve psychological safety.
6. You’re often exhausted or unwell. If work stress is affecting your sleep, health or relationships, something has to give. Your wellbeing is non-negotiable.
7. You can’t picture yourself there in a year. If you can’t imagine yourself in your current role a year from now, it’s time to start planning. Career moves take time and future-you will thank present-you for starting now.
8. Your ethics are being nudged in the wrong direction. If you’re asked to do things that don’t sit right, don’t minimise that feeling. Integrity is hard to rebuild once compromised.
9. Turnover is high and morale is low. High turnover rarely happens by accident. It’s a symptom of a deeper problem.
10. Everything feels heavier than it should. When everyday tasks start to feel draining or unusually difficult, it can be a sign of burnout… or simply that the role no longer suits the stage of life you’re in.
How to make sense of what you’re feeling
Not every bad week means it’s time to quit, but ignoring a persistent sense of unhappiness doesn’t help either. The key is to work out what’s really going on.
● What specifically feels off right now?
● When was the last time you felt genuinely fulfilled at work?
● If nothing changed in six months, how would you feel?
● Is it misalignment…does your work no longer fit your values, goals or stage of life?
● Is it exhaustion or boredom that’s built up over time?
Try jotting your thoughts down for a week or two. Patterns will start to emerge. You might realise the problem isn’t your whole job, it’s a project, a person or a working condition. Or you might see, with clarity, that you’ve outgrown the role altogether.
Another powerful exercise that helps is to imagine your ideal workday. What kind of work are you doing? Who are you with? How does your day start and end? Sometimes, clarity doesn’t come from analysing what’s wrong; it comes from visualising what “right” feels like.
What to do when you realise it’s time to move on
What to do when you realise it’s time to move on. If you’ve reflected and that inner voice keeps whispering “it’s time,” trust it and start planning your next step carefully.
Begin with a conversation if it feels safe to do so. Sometimes, roles can evolve once you articulate what you need: more flexibility, a new challenge or space to grow. If nothing changes, you’ll know you’ve done your part.
Then get practical:
● Update your CV and LinkedIn
● Talk to people doing work you admire
● Research opportunities in fields that align with your skills and values
● Build a small financial cushion – even a few months’ savings can make your next move feel calmer and more intentional.
These steps don’t just prepare you logistically, they also build confidence. Each small action is a reminder that you have options, agency and the ability to create something new.
If you’d like a bit more help getting started, this blog on how to be successful in your job search brings together lots of practical tips (and links to other useful articles). It’s a great next step once you’re ready to explore new opportunities.
Leaving with grace
When it’s time to go, aim to leave well.
Thank the people who’ve supported you. Wrap up your projects thoughtfully. Focus on what you’re taking with you… the skills, experience and resilience you’ve built along the way.
You never know when paths might cross again. A gracious exit helps you close this chapter cleanly and step confidently into the next one.
Ready to explore your next step
Quitting your job isn’t failure, it’s growth.
It’s recognising that staying somewhere that no longer fits you doesn’t serve anyone: not you, not your employer, not the people around you. Listening to that inner nudge takes courage, but it’s also the first step towards work that reflects who you are now.
It’s easy to postpone big decisions until you feel 100% certain. But most career shifts start with curiosity, not certainty. Start small. Talk to people. Try things out. Each step builds clarity, confidence and momentum towards a working life that feels good again.
If you’d like support figuring things out, I’m here to help.
You can book a free virtual coffee with me here.
It would also be great to connect with you on Facebook and LinkedIn!
