Why Do I Hate My Job So Much?

If you hate your job, you’re not alone.

According to a recent study, around 50% of Americans don’t feel that they are in good jobs.

You could hate your job for a lot of different reasons. As a therapist for anxious millennials, I consistently help people understand why they hate their jobs and what they can do about it.

That’s what I’ll discuss here.

So why do I hate my job so much?

You’re on the wrong path

Sometimes, your career choice simply isn’t right for you.

We choose our careers for a lot of different reasons.

Maybe your friends and family made a career suggestion, and you pursued it because you thought you would be good at it and like it. Maybe you made a decision when you were young that seemed wise at the time. Or maybe you felt like you were running out of time, so you made a practical choice to make ends meet and avoid judgment.

Whatever your reason, you may not be happy with your choice, and that’s okay.

It isn’t a good work culture

Some work cultures are harmful. Even if you like what you do, your workplace may make it impossible to enjoy.

There’s mismanagement

In the workplace, there are few things worse than a bad boss.

Some bosses micromanage, which is known to have negative effects on employees. Other bosses bully their employees and are unnecessarily harsh when things don’t go perfectly.

Just because a boss is in a managerial position doesn’t mean that they should be.

It’s toxic

Some workplaces are toxic.

You can tell that you’re in a toxic workplace if you’re negatively affected by your job when you’re not working. Increased anxiety, frustration, hopelessness, and other things are strong indicators.

Toxic workplaces exhibit one or more of the following things:

1. Employees and management are gossipy
2. It’s extremely competitive
3. Management and/or coworkers are verbally abusive
4. The company is generally mismanaged (like I mentioned earlier)
5. You’re overworked (and you’re guilted when you don’t work as much as what is tacitly or explicitly expected)
6. Employees are generally unhappy
7. The workplace is racist, sexist, or discriminates based on sexual orientation, disability, age, pregnancy, etc.

We’ll discuss discrimination more next.

It’s discriminatory

It’s no secret that many workplaces discriminate against disadvantaged groups of people.

Discrimination in a workplace can take the form of harassment, abuse, missed opportunities, and more. Some forms of discrimination are illegal, so be aware of legal recourse if needed.

You’re not challenged

You might be bored.

To feel more challenged, you need more challenging work, room for growth, or advanced projects. If you don’t have access to these opportunities, you may feel defeated and unmotivated.

You’re not compensated well

It’s frustrating when your hard work isn’t reflected in your bank account.

Finances aside, you may feel unappreciated.

Sometimes companies skimp on employee benefits too.

When you work hard for a company, you should be able to expect adequate compensation and benefits that reflect how much your company values you and your contribution.

The work isn’t meaningful

If your job isn’t meaningful to you, you may feel less motivated to perform well.

Many of us need to feel like we’re making a difference to be happy with our work. If you’re one of those people, it’s not surprising that you’re wondering why you hate your job.

You’re burnt out

Many of us “hustle” for years to get where we are.

If you haven’t been able to rest or take care of yourself, it isn’t easy to enjoy and feel content in our work. You may need time off to recharge.

Ways to avoid hating your job

You can try a few tactics to feel more satisfied with your job.

Consider changing your career

When you hate your job, sometimes the only solution is to find a new career.

If you’re feeling stuck on what to pursue, you can:

1. Discuss potential new careers with friends and family
2. Take quizzes on what jobs suit your skills and interests
3. Hire a career coach

It can be discouraging to look for a new career. Sometimes it’s hard to find something, or maybe you feel trapped by student debt or responsibility. Be careful to weigh your options and the potential consequences of pursuing a different career before deciding.

Examine other parts of your life

Sometimes dissatisfaction in one part of our lives signals dissatisfaction in other parts.

How are your relationships? Are they toxic or filled with conflict?

How is your home life? Are you comfortable and happy at home?

How is your lifestyle? Are you taking care of yourself?

Many of my clients feel stuck and dissatisfied in many areas of their lives, including work. Sometimes the issue is deeper and more integrated across all areas of your life.

Look for other jobs

Do you love the work but hate the workplace?

Scroll through LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, etc. Apply for a couple of other jobs, or read listings to get a sense of what other jobs and workplaces are like.

Browsing can make you feel empowered and hopeful about your future.

Gain new skills

You may need new skills to transition into a new line of work or a job.

Identify skills that you need (and would enjoy learning and doing) and find courses or other materials online to help you learn. There are many inexpensive resources online, so you can learn on a budget and on your own time.

Increase your job satisfaction with therapy

If you want extra support, I’m here to help. I offer online therapy in Idaho and Iowa and coaching services wherever you’re located for anxious clients who struggle with things like people-pleasing, perfectionism, burnout, overwhelm, and ADHD.

‍Reach out today and see if we’re a good fit. Let’s start building a better future together.