Have Mixed Feelings About Quitting Your Job? (Advice & Tips)

So, you want to quit your job. Or, maybe you don’t – or are you just unsure?

It’s normal to have mixed feelings about quitting a job, it’s a big decision for most people.

It may even be one of the biggest decisions you ever make and change the course of your professional and personal life drastically!

So, it’s not a decision to take lightly and you’re right to weigh up the pros and cons.

If you’re struggling with your decision to quit your job, here is my best advice:

Why It’s Normal to Have Mixed Feelings About Quitting Your Job

There are a lot of reasons why people stay in jobs they hate, just as there are reasons why people leave jobs they love.

Maybe you’ve been in your current role for a long time and it’s comfortable, even if it’s not ideal.

That makes it hard to quit. It’s normal to feel anxious about change, it’s a very innate human emotion.

Or, you may really want to quit your job but you have financial commitments that make quitting seem impossible.

Whatever the reason, it’s normal to feel like you can’t or shouldn’t quit your job – even if there is something pulling you to do so.

In a nutshell, for most people, it’s the fear of the unknown and stepping outside of their comfort zone that causes the internal rift.

Related – Here’s what to do if you want to leave your job after just 3 months!

Some of the Mixed Feelings You Might Be Experiencing

There are a lot of mixed feelings that come with quitting your job:

• On one hand, you may feel relief at the thought of finally leaving a job that’s been stressing you out.
• On the other hand, you may worry about the unknown and whether or not you’ll be able to find another job.
• You may also feel guilty for wanting to leave your current role, especially if it’s a good job with great co-workers.
• And, you may be scared of change and the thought of starting over again.

All of these feelings are normal!

A lot of the worry is around the uncertainty of what the future holds, whether you have another job to go to or not.

From a psychological and scientific perspective, we (humans) like the feeling of routine and comfort – something doing the same job provides.

The thought of breaking that comfort, especially when it’s meeting all of our basic psychological needs, can cause anxiety.

Our bodies actually release chemicals and hormones when we feel anxious or stressed, and these have an effect on our moods and decisions.

Why Am I So Emotional About Leaving My Job?

If you’re feeling emotional about leaving your job, whether that means you’re upset, a little scared, or just don’t know what it is you’re feeling – I’ve been there.

The way I see it is; there are a number of possible reasons why you’re emotional about leaving your job:

• You may have been with the company for a long time and have developed strong relationships with your co-workers.
• You may be leaving a job that you’re good at and enjoy, even if it’s not your dream job.
• You may be worried about the future and whether or not you’ll be able to find another job.
• You may feel like you’re turning over a new leaf or starting a new chapter in your life.
• You may feel really anxious and uncertain about the future and your decision to leave.

I can’t say this enough, it’s a big decision to leave a job and start another.

We’re creatures of habit, and although it’s good for us to challenge ourselves, break free from our comfort zones, and move on to bigger and better things, it’s still scary.

Related – Here’s why you shouldn’t feel bad about quitting an understaffed job.

How to Deal With Missing Coworkers When Leaving a Job

I’ve left a job before where I loved everyone I worked with and knew that I probably wouldn’t see them again, at least not for a long time.

That was really hard for me, so I totally understand if that’s what you’re feeling.

I didn’t just have coworkers, I had really good friends at one of the places I worked.

But I knew deep down that I had to leave to progress professionally and grow as a person – and I would have encouraged them to do the same.

All of my new colleagues were great, but there was something special about my previous job.

Something that can’t be repeated, you know?

Sometimes you meet certain people at a particular time in your life, and you just get that connection.

When that happens at work, you get the benefit of seeing them almost every day you build an awesome bond.

It’s similar to leaving school friends behind when you change schools or graduate.

However, you can’t let friendships hold you back from chasing your dreams, achieving your potential, or even taking a small step up.

The best thing you can do is swap numbers and social media handles, and make plans to keep in touch.

You’re going to feel sad, it’s normal, but there are exciting times ahead, keep that in mind.

In Summary

Leaving a job, no matter how happy or unhappy you are, is a big decision.

You may have mixed feelings about it and that’s okay.

Try and think about the reasons why you want to leave, and whether or not those reasons outweigh your fears.

It’s normal to feel scared, sad, unsure, doubtful, etc, but you have to make the decision that you feel is best for your future.

If you’re really struggling with the decision, I suggest speaking to someone you trust for advice, whether that’s a friend, family member, or even a therapist.

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Image credits – Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash