If you hate your job it can be very isolating. A client once said to me: “I feel like my job is draining the life out of me.”
I’ve heard variations of this from people in all kinds of roles from finance professionals and teachers, to scientists and sales managers. Smart, capable, hard-working people who feel stuck, frustrated, or numb… but unsure where else to go.
If that resonates with you, I want to offer a new way of looking at the problem.
Because maybe the issue isn’t that you are stuck.
Maybe you’re just misplanted.
Humans are like plants — we thrive in the right conditions.
The idea came to me while talking with a client, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Because the truth is:
- You can’t grow in poor light.
- You won’t thrive in soil that no longer suits you.
- You definitely won’t bloom if your roots are crammed into a pot you’ve outgrown.
Organisational psychologist Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski coined the concept of job crafting, which is the idea that we can actively shape our roles to better fit our values, strengths, and passions. But when a role is fundamentally misaligned with who we are now, no amount of tweaking will make it feel right if you hate your job.
This is often where people get stuck. They think, “But I’ve worked so hard to get here… shouldn’t I be happy?”
Or, “I don’t even know what I want instead.”
So they stay. Wilting, slowly.
The soil you’re in might be the problem, not you.
In my coaching practice, I often work with people who have outgrown their roles. They’re not broken or unmotivated, they’re simply trying to thrive in the wrong environment.
Take two recent clients:
- One moved from sales into business development, where they could focus more on strategic relationship-building (something they genuinely enjoyed).
- Another left behind a lab-based role as a technician and moved into science communications, using their clarity and creativity to connect with people in a totally new way.
What changed?
They didn’t become different people.
They simply found new conditions in which they could grow.
They recognised the signs – feeling drained, boxed-in, joyless – and started to explore new soil.
So what should you do if you hate your job, but don’t know what else to do?
If you’re feeling tired, uncertain, and not sure where to turn you’re not alone.
5 things to do if you hate your job but don’t know what else to do:
1. Pay attention to what energises you
What are the moments (however fleeting) that light you up? When do you feel most like yourself? As author and coach Martha Beck puts it, “Your body knows before your brain does.” Notice what makes you feel more alive.
2. Name what’s no longer working
Is it the culture? The work itself? The values of the organisation? Getting specific about the source of your dissatisfaction is crucial otherwise you’ll risk recreating the same issues in a new place.
3. Reconnect with your values
Values are your internal compass. When your career is out of alignment with them, it can feel like dragging your feet through sand. Tools like the Values (VIA) Survey or simply reflecting on what matters most can help re-anchor you.
4. Consider your ‘transferable roots’
Just like plants can adapt to new environments, your skills and strengths are more portable than you think. You don’t have to burn it all down to make a change. Often, your next step is closer than it feels it’s just different soil.
5. Don’t go it alone
This kind of reflection can feel overwhelming to do solo especially when you’re already drained. Talking with a coach, mentor, or someone who knows how to ask the right questions can give you clarity and momentum.
It’s not too late, and you’re not too lost
It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed your chance. But your career doesn’t have to be one linear path, it can be a garden with different seasons, different phases, and different kinds of growth.
Sometimes we outgrow what once fit us perfectly. And that’s not failure that’s evolution.
So, if you hate your job but don’t know what else to do, maybe the question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” But rather, “What kind of soil do I need now?”
Because with the right conditions and a little care you can grow again. You can break free from self-doubt and fears.
If you’re feeling stuck, drained, or unsure where to go next, and you hate your job you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Book a free consultation today and let’s explore what kind of soil you need to grow.
