If you are thinking about leaving your job, it's time to leave. Do it now. You will feel better.

Leaving a job is never easy. It's your livelihood. But sometimes there are signs that tell you it is time to leave. I had a job where I knew my time there was over. Here were the signs that told me that it was time to leave.

You Don't Feel Appreciated

Let me paint a picture: You show up every day, do your job well, and then make one mistake. Instead of support or understanding, your manager and coworkers come down hard on you. Suddenly, that one mistake overshadows everything else you've done right. That's not growth, it's punishment.

Or worse, imagine crushing all your goals, delivering consistent results, and still getting passed over for a raise or promotion. Meanwhile, a coworker who contributes less gets rewarded. That's a clear sign that your effort isn't being recognized.

And let's not forget the silent treatment during meetings. You bring up an idea, it gets ignored, until someone else repeats it, and then it's praised. If your voice doesn't matter where you are, it's probably time to find a place where it does.

There's No Clear Career Growth

A good job should give you direction. There should be a clear path forward, with opportunities to grow and stretch your skills. If your manager isn't helping you plan for the future, or worse, if there is no path, then what are you really working toward?

When you stop learning, you stop growing. And when you stop growing, you start to feel stuck. That's when burnout creeps in, and your motivation dies. If your job doesn't challenge you anymore, maybe it's not the right job for you.

Managers and Coworkers

A good manager will move mountains for their team. A bad manager will micromanage, second-guess, and undermine you. If you feel like you're constantly being babysat, redoing work, or under a microscope, it's not about performance, it's about control.

Sometimes it's even deeper than that. Discrimination can show up in many forms. It's not always about race or gender but it can be your age and background. Ageism is the workplace is real. People could think that because of your age, they can treat you differently. They could be jealous of the accomplishments that you have done in your career and will put you down whenever they can. What you bring to the table could be overwhelming to them but don't let them dim your light. That's their insecurity.

The Company Culture Isn't for You Anymore

Maybe the culture was never great. Or maybe it changed. Layoffs, re-orgs, shifting values, it all takes a toll. If you find yourself constantly adapting to a work culture that doesn't feel right, it might be time to stop adjusting and start moving on.

When you no longer trust leadership, feel secure in your role, or believe in the direction of the company, it's okay to leave.

Conclusion

If you've been feeling this way, know that you're not alone and you're not crazy for wanting more. You deserve to be in a place where you're valued, heard, and challenged. Leaving a job isn't giving up, it's choosing yourself.

Trust your gut. If you're constantly wondering whether it's time to go, that might be the answer.