Navigating Mental Health with Poor Job Satisfaction

Making a career choice early on in life can feel somewhat intimidating and overwhelming. Some people have a specific job in mind from a very young age. Others wait until they graduate high school or even college before deciding on a career path. 

But what happens when the career you thought you always wanted isn’t what you hoped for? Or, what can you do when you’re feeling down about a lack of career choices that interest you? 

It’s not uncommon to sink into depression about career choices. Unfortunately, that can create a vicious cycle. The more depressed you become, the less optimistic you’re likely to feel about your career choices.

With that, let’s take a closer look at how you can navigate depression about career choices and find a fulfilling path that boosts your mental well-being. 

How Do You Know You’re Depressed?

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. You might be dealing with it if you’re feeling extremely sad, helpless, or hopeless. But how can you tell your career is the culprit?

Consider how you feel about work. Do you get stressed just thinking about it? When you know you have to head to your job each day, do you get a feeling of dread? 

At work, are you invested and interested? A sign of career depression is a lack of effort. You might feel bored, unmotivated, and unproductive. 

Depression over a career choice can even cause you to feel resentful about your job. Maybe you’re jealous of people who are happy with their careers or know exactly what they want to do.

Taking Next Steps

If any of the above signs sound familiar, it’s not too late to fight back against your depression. If you’re in a job you aren’t happy with, be proactive. While you might be tempted to quit right away, that will end up causing more stress. You’ll worry about your financial situation, and you might deal with things like imposter syndrome or self-doubt when it comes to navigating a new path. 

Instead, be proactive and look for different paths while you’re still earning an income. That might mean looking for a new job, or even going back to school, or taking training courses for a completely different career.

Focus On a Better Work-Life Balance

You might be at your job for hours each day, but it’s not the only part of your life that matters. Even if you’re not working right now and you’re struggling to find a career that works for you, keep in mind that a job is what you do, not who you are. 

Focus on striking a better balance between how often you think about work and how often you think about your well-being. Self-care is important for everyone, but it should be considered essential when you’re dealing with depression. 

Things like prioritizing sleep, practicing mindfulness, or even journaling can help with your depression. Mindfulness and meditation can keep you in the present moment, so you’re not wondering about the “what ifs” to come or any regrets from the past. Journaling will help you see how much you’ve grown and is a great way to get your thoughts and feelings out quickly. 

Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy is a wonderful way to better understand why you’re feeling depressed about career choices. Getting to the root of your depression is the first step toward actively treating it. Thankfully, you don’t have to bear that weight alone. Feel free to contact our team to get setup with a counselor.