What to Do If Your Job Makes Your Feel Like You're Selling Your Soul
On average, we spend roughly one-third of our lives working. And growing up, many of us were sold the "American Dream" of building a successful, fulfilling career. When that doesn't turn out to be the reality of things, it can leave you feeling jaded.
If your job makes you feel like you're selling your soul, you're not alone. The good news is, if you don't like your reality, you have the power to change it.
Signs You're Feeling Stuck
"Selling your soul" to your job essentially means you make a personal sacrifice for some hope of reward, namely a consistent paycheck. You might end up feeling stuck in your role as a result.
Fortunately, there are some hallmark signs you can watch out for.
1. There's No Purpose or Enjoyment
Showing up every day gets excruciating when there's no motivation outside of a paycheck. Getting paid is nice, but if the work you're doing doesn't fill up your cup, it can make you wonder if it's even worth it—you might feel like a sell-out.
2. You've Sacrificed Your Morals
You want to perform well at your job, so you think bending your boundaries a little will be okay. What this actually does is open up the door for increasing problems. More often than not, when this happens, you get used to just dealing with it rather than rocking the boat.
3. Your Job Is Your Life
There's nothing wrong with being passionate about your job. However, it's still important to have a clear separation between your work life and personal life. If you have no life outside of your job or constantly try to prove yourself by working overtime, you're not creating a space for you to decompress and devote time to meaningful relationships outside of work.
4. You're Experiencing Burnout
Burnout is tricky. It can creep up on you, and by the time you notice, it's too late—you're already drowning. And the longer burnout builds, the longer it takes to heal from it.
Some signs of burnout can include:
Feeling cynical about your job
Constant irritability
Lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Being dissatisfied with achievements
Substance abuse
Aches and pains with no other conceivable cause
What to Do About It
Here's what you can do to change your reality if your job makes you feel like you're selling your soul.
Evaluate Your Values
Take a step back and make note of what's important to you. Does this align with your job's values? If not, it might be time to consider updating your resume and searching for opportunities that align better with your values.
Understandably, many people can't just pick up and leave their job. You could also try talking with management about value-related issues that are bothering you. There might be room for compromise that doesn't require a complete sacrifice of your morals.
Establish Boundaries
Instead of working overtime all the time or adding more to your plate, what if you simply left when it's time to clock out? What if you just did the tasks you were assigned instead of going above and beyond?
Establishing boundaries helps protect your wellbeing. This could be making a commitment to not answer emails after hours or to not pick up extra work you're not compensated for. In the end, you'll feel as if some weight has been lifted.
Talk to Someone
Navigating your situation when you're unhappy with work can be tough. You don't have to do it alone. Talking to a trusted friend or family member can help get some of those feelings off your chest. Reaching out to a therapist can help, too.
A therapist can provide a safe space for you to express yourself and explore your situation. They can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms and work with you to create a better path forward.
If you're ready to take back control of your happiness, reach out today!
Click here for more information on Depression Therapy.