6 Things you can do if you hate your job, but can't afford to leave

[AD] No doubt we’ve all been there. Stuck in a job we hate but simply can’t leave. Some mornings I still wake up and have to give myself a pep talk to keep going. Thankfully, I’m now in a position where these are becoming few and far between. But there was a time when I was burnt out by the daily grind, and my weekends felt like a blip in time. 

I commuted forty minutes each way to a job I insisted was my dream. But my body was exhausted, my mind was scrambled and I had no idea how to manage my mental health without alcohol and starvation. By the time I was signed off, I was the sickest I’d ever been. I didn’t know it then, but I was suffering from severe burnout that had been building up over the course of several years. 

You might not be in the financial position to leave your job just yet, but there are several small things we can do to help ourselves cope in the meantime. 

_{[Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash]}

6 Things you can do if you hate your job

1. Quietly Quit.

Many of you won’t be familiar with this term,  but I can assure you that you’ve done this at least once in your working life. Quietly quitting refers to a silent act of rebellion against the hustle culture within the majority of workplaces. Not only are many people physically leaving jobs, but many are refusing to do overtime, lowering their workload and requesting more days off than ever before. And why shouldn’t you!? Even if you love your job, no one wants to work for the majority of their lives! Yet, this is what many companies have expected us to do. 

If you hate your job but can’t physically quit, then quietly quitting is for you. Do the bare minimum to get by and stay out of trouble. Stop taking on extra hours if you don’t have to, and set clear boundaries to protect your work-life balance. Even take the holidays you’re entitled to! Imagine that?! You’ll still fulfil your job role, but you’re unsubscribing from the ‘work is life’ motto we’ve been fed for far too long. 

2. Maximise your life outside of the workplace.

Just because you work there doesn’t mean that it should become your whole life. I work in a local shop, as does my husband. But we both have a life outside of there. Yes, I may take on extra shifts but that’s just for extra cash at the end of the month. If I don’t have to, I won’t. Likewise with my husband. 

Outside of my day job, I’m a freelance writer. I would go as far as to argue that my main passion lies in writing, and going to my day job is just for the guaranteed paycheck. Nothing else. 

If you simply can’t quit your job right now, then it’s important to focus on what you can control. Yes, you might have to go to work to pay the bills, but what can you realistically do outside of work to combat it? 

This can be as simple as going for a jog, spending time on your favourite video game or meeting up with friends and family. No matter what, even if it’s just half an hour, ensure it’s time you take for yourself.

Granted you may also have family responsibilities and household chores, but try and delicate where you can to reduce occurrences of complete burnout.

Some of my closest friends have come from both former and current workplaces. We keep each other sane in a way only co-workers can.

CHLOE - Nyxie's nook

3. Buddy up and stick together. 

For those of us who work as part of a team, our co-workers can be somewhat of a saving grace. There’s a certain pleasure I get from spending time bitching on my breaks with my fellow co-workers. Sometimes about serious company issues that are being ignored, and sometimes it’s something petty. No matter, it can feel good to know you’re not alone. 

Some of my closest friends have come from both former and current workplaces. We keep each other sane in a way only co-workers can. And because my husband and I both work together, it helps to know he’s always got my back too.

_{[Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash]}

4. Look after your body. 

While you may hate your job and be stuck in a workplace that drains you of all life, the least you can do is look after your body. If you fail to meet the bare minimum that your body requires, chances are you’ll be left feeling unable to cope in the long run. 

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep! The state of our mental, physical and emotional health can all be linked back to how much good quality sleep we get. If you neglect your sleeping patterns, then you don’t give your body the chance to fully recover. In fact, being sleep deprived makes it harder to cope with emotional stressors, regulate emotions and make good decisions. 

Are you eating right? What about hydration? You can’t expect your body to function correctly if you’re failing to fuel it, that’s not it works. Try to eat well-balanced meals filled with foods that work for your body, rather than against it. I’m not an expert, nor am I about to lecture you on what you eat. Instead, have a look into your current eating habits and see what realistic changes you can make for the better. Look out for things such as high caffeine, high fat and sugar diets, and try and incorporate some fruit and vegetables into the mix. Oh, and don’t forget the recommended eight cups of water a day! 

Finally, exercise is a must! Even if it’s just taking the stairs instead of the elevator, adding little bits of extra movement into our life can make a huge difference. But if you do have the time, why not take up jogging or a brisk walk? Exercise is essential to not only keep our bodies healthy but also our minds.

5. Save what you can.

While this can be easier said than done, it’s a no-brainer. If by some chance you make any extra that doesn’t go on bills or necessities, then put it away into a designated savings account. Whatever you have in those savings (plus interest) will someday be the hot-air balloon you need to fly far, far away. 

Of course, you’re also allowed to treat yourself. Otherwise, where’s the fun in life? But if you’re really serious about saving money to break out on your own, then consider doing a financial audit. Sit down and find out just where your money is going. Take note of all your bills, monthly subscriptions, and where you tend to squander those pennies. Maybe you eat out for lunch every day or treat yourself to one too many ASOS parcels. Can they be done without and would the money be better off being saved for your future? 

A side hustle not only gives you back control of your life but also helps boost your confidence, learn new skills and can push you to your full potential.

chloe - nyxie's nook

6. Start a side hustle.

Learning a new skill or educating yourself on a topic can improve your personal development skills. Whether it’s an online webinar, reading a book, taking up a new hobby or signing up to an online course like this 120-hour TEFL course, your mind and perceptions will change and help you to build your skills.

A side hustle not only gives you back control of your life but also helps boost your confidence, learn new skills and can push you to your full potential. I personally started writing for my own blog, and have since branched out into writing for magazines, publications and even other bloggers. Do I always get paid? No. But with every little bit of work I get, I gain more experience and take a step closer to the next paid gig! 

But you don’t have to write. My husband is an artist and sells his artwork both locally and online. I also know people who have started catering on the side, and others who bake cakes.

Do you hate your job? Or have you ever hated any of your previous jobs? Do let Chloe & I know in the comments below.

_{[This is a guest post written by Chloe from Nyxie's Nook]}