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Original poster

Quitting job with nothing to go to - WWYD?

33 replies

MHPlummeting · 18/09/2026 06:36

Started a new role at the beginning of the year - senior management and a decent salary.

There were red flags from the outset. I thought I could change things for the better but its become increasingly apparent that I'm wasting my time and the role is genuinely making me so stressed, angry and exhausted that I feel ill.

My notice period is 3 months and I have about 6 months salary in savings. Husband supports my decision if resigning is what i want to do (albeit he understandably has concerns, as do i)

But my health and mental wellbeing are taking an absolute battering daily, and I'm of an age and level of experience where i shouldn't have to put up with this utter shite.

I have the low-key feelers out with relevant recruitment agencies and industry contacts, so the job hunt is on, but it seems like slim pickings at this moment in time. (What I do is fairly niche)

WWYD in my position?

OP posts:
Ilovemyshed · 18/09/2026 07:10

Take a couple of weeks off sick to sleep and recharge. Then start looking, hard. Best not quit unless you can fund 2 years without work.

Lengokengo · 18/09/2026 07:09

i had this several years ago. Red flags at interview, first day, and every day after. I couldn’t sleep with the anxiety. Awful time that only got worse. A junior colleague quit in my first week ( he had been there 2 months), as it was so bad. Team and manager simply horrendous.

i had a fully supportive DH, and the role was difficult to find. I decided to stay for 1 year, then aim to move internally to literally any other team that would take me. I managed to do this at a huge cost to my mental health. Was in awful role for 18 months, and it took me about 2 years in nice new role with sane manager to mentally recover.

fortunately new role was great, I flourished and got promoted. All of the people that’s made my previous role stressful left or were got rid of within 3 years.

you either leave/ go back to old role ( like my junior colleague did) for 3 months. Otherwise you try and stay for 1 year to 18 months but have a strong plan to cling to.

many years later I am glad I clung on, but don’t underestimate the mental toll. Endurance is what counts in senior positions.

Stopthattrain · 18/09/2026 07:02

A few years ago I would have told you to get out asap and then look but times have changed, I agree with other posters you should hang on whilst you look elsewhere.

Mcdhotchoc · 18/09/2026 06:59

In your shoes I walked!
Never regretted it. It was toxic and I was too old for that crap.

Whinge · 18/09/2026 06:57

namechange3651 · 18/09/2026 06:52

In the current job market, I would hang on as long as I possibly could. It’s brutal out there.

I agree with this.

A few years ago I would have said leave and look for soemthing else, but the current job market is awful. People who have previously walked into jobs with no problem are now struggling to find work, even after months of searching, and that's without the extra dififculty of their roles being niche.

jeaux90 · 18/09/2026 06:56

I’d do minimum whilst finding a new role.

JustSayyNo · 18/09/2026 06:55

Generally, it's easier to find work while employed and you shouldn't quit until you have something to go to. However, if the toll is too high, then sometimes there is a place for leaving earlier. You and your husband know the details of how it balances best.

namechange3651 · 18/09/2026 06:52

In the current job market, I would hang on as long as I possibly could. It’s brutal out there.