I fear I’ll regret quitting my job. What should I do?
Did you quit your job or are you thinking about leaving and you’re feeling a sense of regret? There’s a chance you’re feeling resigner’s remorse. This is a common feeling, and it was especially common during the Great Resignation last year.
Even if you feel like leaving a job is the right decision, quitting may bring up overwhelming feelings of anxiety, stress, and regret.
As one Empower Work help seeker shared:
“I get anxious when thinking about leaving…Things of regret pop up. I do not want to regret my decision. But I also don't want to force myself to go to a job site everyday.”
Another help seeker shared:
“Even though there are times I want to bolt, there is a voice that says I will regret it. I just need to not get so upset, anxious, and frustrated in the meantime.”
Fear you’ll regret quitting your job?
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Reasons you may regret quitting your job
There are many reasons people quit their jobs—burnout, a new job, a bad boss or coworkers, inconvenient scheduling, or simply not liking a job. So why do people regret quitting?
Not having a safety net. Not having a job lined up before quitting can cause stress and anxiety. No matter how good of a reason someone may have for quitting their job, they may find themselves thinking that they should have stuck it out a little longer—at least until they found a new job.
If you don’t have a job lined up or enough money saved up from your last job to live sustainably until you find your next job, it may leave you wondering if you should’ve stayed for a few more paychecks. Losing an income is a common fear for people who are thinking about quitting.
As one Empower Work help seeker shared:
“I worry that my initial excitement over quitting would be followed by regret when I think about money/bills.”
The new job is worse than the one you left. Maybe you have a job lined up, but you’re afraid that the new job will be even worse or just as bad. Having bad luck with a series of jobs is a common fear when quitting a job. There’s a chance that the new job may bring in issues that are different to the issues you experienced at your previous employment.
As one Empower Work help seeker shared:
“I feel scared that I might regret leaving this old job for a newer one only to find out that I don't like it too.”
The change is scary. Maybe you’ve been at this job for a long time and you fear a new experience. This is a completely normal feeling. A new job along with new coworkers and a new boss can be intimidating in any given situation.
As an Empower Work help seeker shared:
“I'm nervous that I'll never be able to find another job. I know some people search for over a year without finding anything. I can't afford that…I know what I should do for myself but I'm afraid of making the changes.”
How to avoid resigner’s remorse
Feeling regret after quitting is never a good feeling. But regret is also an emotion that tells us something, and understanding what it means is important. Maybe that feeling is telling you that there were things at your job that you appreciated, despite your reason for leaving. Or maybe there are things about your job that you think you’ll miss.
If quitting feels like it’s a good option, then you should follow through with what’s right for your well-being.
Here are some tips on how to avoid feeling resigner’s remorse:
Have a job lined up before leaving. Actively applying for jobs and having prospective jobs may take some of the pressure off of quitting. You will likely feel less stressed knowing you have an income and a safety net before leaving your current job. It’s a common fear that you will have the same issues at your next job, but you’ll never know until you try.
Do your research on the new job. Actively asking yourself important questions about your new job and getting as much insight in your new experience as possible is important. It’s also crucial that when you leave your job, you feel like you’re going towards something better, rather than running away from something.
Save up. Before you leave your job, make sure you have enough savings until your next employment. Make sure you will have a sense of security so that you can be less stressed while looking for your next job. Give yourself enough time to leave so you don’t have to worry about paying rent and your bills.
Don’t look back. Chances are, if you’re thinking about leaving your job or you’ve already quit, it was probably for a good reason. Don’t be too hard on yourself for making a decision that was right for you. Once you make that decision, it’s essential that you fully commit and move on to a better position for yourself. Try to be optimistic about opportunities and possibilities ahead—more pay, a better boss, a healthy work environment, a more enjoyable role.
Ask for support.
If you’re thinking about quitting or you’ve already left your job and you’re feeling regretful, don’t be afraid to ask for support. You’re not alone. Chances are, your friends, family members, or colleagues have been in a similar situation to yours. Our trained peer counselors are only a text away at 510-674-1414 for free, confidential support.
*Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplace challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions. If you believe you were discriminated against in violation of the law, we recommend you seek legal advice.
