The Psychological Toll of Staying in a Job That Isn’t Serving You

And how to use it to find something better

Celia Fidalgo, PhD
Practice in Public

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DALL-E

Staying in a job you despise can be more than just a professional misstep — it can have profound psychological impacts that ripple through every aspect of your life.

The dread of Monday mornings becomes a dread of every morning, and the light at the end of the tunnel dims.

Yet, within this struggle, there lies a beacon of hope, a way to turn the tide in your favour.

Here’s how the weight of a detested job can affect you and the steps to navigate out of it.

The Psychological Impact

But first, we have to recognize that being in a role that doesn’t align with your values or interests can erode your self-esteem. You might start questioning your capabilities and worth, wondering if you’re destined to be stuck in dissatisfaction.

Increased Stress and Anxiety: The constant pressure to perform in an environment you loathe can lead to heightened stress and anxiety levels. This not only affects your mental health but can spill over into your physical well-being, manifesting in sleep disturbances, headaches, or other stress-related ailments.

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Celia Fidalgo, PhD
Practice in Public

Head of Product @ Cambridge Cognition, Behavioral Scientist @ Irrational Labs, PhD in psych, I help people apply the science of psychology to daily life.