Ethan Sterling
We’ve all been there.
Feeling miserable. Waking up in the morning with a heavy heart, dragging ourselves to work. We might even catch ourselves thinking, “Is this it? Is this all there is to life?”
But here’s a thought.
What if you’re not really miserable? What if you’re just stuck in the wrong job?
Before you shake your head and dismiss this idea, hear me out.
Sometimes it’s not life. It’s the career path we’ve chosen that doesn’t align with our interests, passions, or values.
And that’s okay.
You’re allowed to reassess. To question. And yes, even to change your mind.
Today, I’ll walk you through seven signs that indicate you’re not miserable at all – you just need a career change.
Let’s dive in.
1) You dread Mondays…and Tuesdays…and every other day
Let’s face it. If the thought of Monday makes your stomach churn, it’s probably not a great sign. But if this dread extends to Tuesday, Wednesday, and pretty much every other workday, then it’s time to sit up and take notice.
Sure, we all have off days.
Days when we’d rather stay in bed than face another spreadsheet. But if this has become the norm rather than the exception, it might be more than just a case of the “Monday blues“.
Work shouldn’t be something you constantly dread. It should be a place where you can grow, create, and feel fulfilled.
2) Your passion has left the building
I remember the first day of my job in the corporate world.
I was brimming with excitement, ready to take on any challenge. I was passionate about my work and eager to make a difference in the company.
But then, something changed.
Over time, I noticed that the passion I once had started to dwindle. The tasks that used to excite me became mundane. The projects I was once eager to tackle became a burden.
And it wasn’t just a phase.
The fire in me had extinguished. Work became a chore rather than an opportunity for growth and expression.
It was then that I realized that it wasn’t life I was unhappy with. It was my career choice.
Sound familiar?
It could be another sign that you’re not miserable. You just need a career change.
3) Your health is taking a hit
Your body is an astoundingly honest barometer of your overall well-being. And when your job starts to affect your health – mentally, emotionally, or physically – it might be time to reassess.
Are you losing sleep? Finding it hard to concentrate? Is stress turning into anxiety? Are you feeling constantly tired or drained?
I’m not talking about the occasional work-induced stress. We all experience that. But when it becomes chronic, when it starts to dominate every waking hour, it’s a different story.
It’s a sign that something’s off.
Your job shouldn’t compromise your health. If it does, it’s time for a career change.
4) You’re no longer learning
Do you remember the rush of landing your first job?
The thrill of learning something new every day, the joy of overcoming challenges, the satisfaction of personal growth and development.
But what happens when that growth stops?
When days turn into a monotonous loop of repetitive tasks, when you’re no longer challenged, when learning curves flatten out, it’s easy to feel stuck.
And feeling stuck can often be mistaken for overall life dissatisfaction. But sometimes, it’s about your career.
5) You’re constantly daydreaming about a different career
Do you often find yourself at work, staring out the window and daydreaming about doing something else? Perhaps it’s something completely unrelated to your current job?
I’m not talking about the occasional daydream. I’m talking about a recurring fantasy that keeps popping up, especially during those long, tedious meetings.
Daydreams can be a window into our deepest desires and unfulfilled ambitions.
The point is if your mind consistently drifts towards a different career path, it’s probably craving for something more fulfilling. Something that aligns with your true self.
6) Your work-life balance is off
You know this, but here’s a gentle reminder.
You’re more than your job. You have relationships to nurture, hobbies to pursue, dreams to chase outside of your 9 to 5.
When your work starts spilling into your personal life, when it starts robbing you of the time and energy to do the things you love, it’s time to take a step back.
It’s not selfish to want a healthy work-life balance. It’s necessary. It’s healthy. It’s a sign of respect for yourself and your well-being.
Are you feeling overwhelmed and unable to switch off from work? It might not be you that’s the problem. You might just need a career that respects your boundaries and values your time outside of work.
7) Your gut is telling you something’s wrong
Trust your intuition.
That nagging feeling? That gut instinct? It’s powerful. It’s primal. And more often than not, it’s right.
If deep down, you feel like you’re in the wrong job or on the wrong career path, don’t ignore it. It’s your subconscious mind, your instincts, alerting you to a possible mismatch.
Listen to it. Trust it. It’s okay to reassess and make changes if something feels off.
At the end of the day, you deserve a career that fills you with purpose and joy, not one that leaves you questioning your overall happiness.
The final word
If you’ve been nodding along to these signs, consider it a gentle wake-up call.
You might just be in the wrong career.
And that’s perfectly okay.
It’s never too late to change course. To reassess. To choose a path that aligns with your values, passion, and personal growth.
It won’t be easy. Change rarely is. But there’s a certain magic in stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown.
You deserve to wake up each day feeling excited about what lies ahead – not just at the end of the workweek, but every single day.
Because happiness isn’t just for weekends. It’s for life.
