Are you one of the countless people saying; “I hate my job but it pays well so I can’t leave.”?
If so, you may feel trapped, but you’re really not.
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that it’s not good for your mental health to stay in a job you hate, whether you need the money or not.
In this article, I’m going to explain why you need to change your circumstances, and some of the things you can do to improve your situation:
I Hate My Job But It Pays Well – Should You Stay or Leave?
I’m not going to tell you to leave your job because you hate it if it’s going to cause you some financial issues.
But what I am going to say is that just ‘toughing it out’ or ‘putting up’ with a job you hate is not a good long-term solution.
There are loads of reasons why you shouldn’t stick out a job you hate, here are just five reasons that should hit a nerve with you:
Your Physical Health Will Suffer
Have you been taking time off work sick? Have you noticed you get sick more often than you used to?
This could very well be linked to the fact that you are in a job you hate.
Stress and unhappiness can have a negative impact on your physical health, causing issues such as high blood pressure and weakened immune system.
Related – More on what to do if you hate your job but can’t afford to quit!
Your Mental Health Will Suffer
This is a big one that a lot of people don’t recognize until it’s too late.
Your job shouldn’t be making you feel constantly stressed, anxious or depressed.
If it is, it’s time to start thinking about your options and making a change.
If your mental health is deteriorating you’ll likely see a decline in your performance at work, and it can also affect your relationships with family and friends.
It’s Going to Affect Your Personal Life
Think about it, if you’re constantly feeling stressed and unhappy at work, that negative energy is going to carry over into your personal life.
You’re not going to feel as motivated or happy in your leisure time, and it can start to affect those around you.
If you’ve not already started pushing those you love further away, you will do.
If you’re in a relationship there is no way you’re able to give your partner 100% if you are unhappy all day and dealing with the stress and anxiety of your job, too.
You’ll Get Deeper Into a Rut
You’re in a rut if you hate your job. Whether you’re aware of it or not.
Staying in a job you hate is only going to deepen that rut, making it harder and harder for you to break out of it.
You shouldn’t be thinking like you are about not being able to leave because your job pays well, you should be thinking about ways you can leave.
You’re Literally Stopping Yourself from Finding Happiness
If you stay in a job you hate, how are you ever going to find true happiness?
You deserve to be happy and fulfilled at work, and by staying in a job you hate, you’re stopping yourself from finding that happiness.
It’s not worth it to stay in a job you hate for the money, I’m sure you know that deep down.
We all go to work for money, but there is a line to walk when trading our time, and in your case happiness, for financial compensation.
How to Improve Your Situation When You Hate Your Job but Need the Money
You’ve taken the first step in acknowledging that you hate your job but need the money.
The second step is to start doing something about it!
Working on one or more of the following five areas will make a huge difference to your situation:
Start Looking for Another Job that Pays Well
If your current job pays well, there is no reason why you can’t find another job that pays just as well – and who knows, you might enjoy it a lot more!
You feel although you won’t find another job, like you’re not prepared or not good enough, or just scared of change.
Don’t be.
Start looking for another job today, if you’re not happy right now you’re doing yourself a disservice by not trying to find another job.
Work on Your Financial Situation
If it’s the pay that is the only thing keeping you at your current job, reducing your financial dependence will free up some movement to change jobs.
Start creating and sticking to a budget, work on spending smarter, and focus on reducing debt.
This will give you more power in being able to leave a job you hate for one that aligns better with your values and happiness.
Think About Side Hustling
Side hustling can provide some extra income to reduce financial dependence on your current job and also could potentially lead you to finding a job or career path that you love.
Start exploring side hustle ideas and see what resonates with you – it could be the start of something great!
Work on The Areas You Hate About Your Job
Have you actually tried to improve your current situation by addressing the things that you hate about your job?
It’s easy to just sit and complain, but have you tried to actually improve those areas?
Talk to your boss about it, see if there is anything that can be done to make your job more enjoyable for you.
You never know what can happen unless you try.
Working on Finding Greater Happiness Outside of Your Job
The problem with being in a job that you hate is that unhappiness will start to dominate all areas of your life.
But if you work on finding greater happiness outside of your job it’s also going to help you feel happier at work, or at the very least you’ll be less affected by the negatives.
Start exploring activities, hobbies, and passions outside of work that bring you joy and fulfillment.
This will also provide a sense of balance to your life and help you better handle the job that you hate.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to make the decision of whether or not to stay in a job that pays well but makes you unhappy.
But you need to remind yourself that you do have options, and it’s worth considering those options for a chance at finding true happiness in your career.
Image credits – depositphotos.com/stock-photo-tired-young-entrepreneur-in-tired
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.