Can you leave a job if you don’t have another one lined up?
I know that the common wisdom is that this is to be avoided at all costs, and there still is some truth to it, since employers tend to be more suspicious of people who don’t have jobs. However, there are circumstances that make it a better choice to leave than to stay.
If you’re in a toxic job, if you have a micromanaging boss, if someone at work is bullying or gaslighting you, these are reasons to leave for your own wellbeing. In other words, if your job is taking a mental health toll, the situation is unlikely to improve.
How do you know if you’re at the point at which quitting is the best option? Start by taking stock of things. Do you wake up feeling sick because you have to go to work? Do you need to buy yourself little gifts to get through the day? Are you doing things like crying or lashing out? Have your loved ones commented that you seem depressed? Do you feel not like yourself? Try counting how often you feel or behave in ways that are uncharacteristic or feel bad, and the number of times you spend money or time on things you “need” in order to get through your day. There obviously isn’t some magical number you’re looking for, but it’s helpful to see how often things are happening, mostly so you can assess your mental state realistically.
If it’s time to go, try not to second-guess yourself or feel guilty. Instead, use that energy to look into short-term solutions like contract or gig work. These jobs that bridge the gap between things are sort of soft landing spots between a job that isn’t sustainable and the next thing. Bonus: anything you do, even a very part-time side job, is something you can list on your resume so there isn’t anything that looks like a gap.
And for what it’s worth, I’ll just add here that you matter, too. Work that makes you feel terrible, or that causes you to question your abilities isn’t worth continuing to do. You are 100% allowed to make decisions about your work that put you first. You have unique gifts to offer the world. Being stuck in a bad situation robs you of contentment, and it robs the world of your potential. Let your light shine!