Ask Izzy is a biweekly advice column about relationships, mental health, and sexuality. Written by Isabel Mata — a Seattle-based lifestyle writer, podcast host, and mental health advocate — Ask Izzy offers tangible expert advice so all readers can have stronger relationships, better sex, and healthier mindsets. Looking for some guidance? Submit your question to [email protected] with the subject line: Ask Izzy Submission.
Dear Izzy,
I'm having second thoughts about my career. My industry is always tumultuous, but I thought I finally had something steady. It turns out it wasn't as steady as I thought, sort of a startup thing. They're still paying me for now, but I'm worried things won't last much longer. My career is my passion, but the stress from the level of work I have to put in and from the uncertainty about my next paycheck is making me question whether or not I should just give up and work in retail or something. I know I'd hate that too, but at least the pay is steady. My coworkers say I should just suck it up and keep working so we can succeed as a team. I'm not so sure I can handle that. What should I do?
— Stuck and Stressed in Seattle
Dear Stuck,
I'm sorry you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious about your career. There is nothing worse than thinking you had a steady job than finding out it is anything but.
When you say they are still paying you but are worried it won't last much longer, what do you mean? Is the startup well funded? Are there rumors circulating about potential layoffs? Either way, I hear you. That uncertainty would be enough to drive me out for sure.
But before we jump the gun, I want to focus on one part of your message that stood out to me. You said, "My career is my passion." This is a huge deal! I know so many people, including myself, who have struggled for years to find a job that they are passionate about but where they can also make good money. Besides the anxiety and uncertainty, it seems as though you have managed to do just that. That is no small feat — celebrate it for a moment.
Start by asking for more transparency
Since you do love your job, my recommendation is to find a way to find more stability in it, while thinking ahead. Your teammates are right: there is no way to predict what the future of the industry holds, so working as a team has its perks.
But... you need to find a way to ease your worries before it breaks you down even further. Have you had a conversation with your manager and hiring team? Have they given you any information about the future of the business? Don't be afraid to ask questions. You deserve to know whether you will have a job in the next six months. If they give wishy-washy answers, then that's your cue to start looking for something else.
If you know you would hate retail, then don't go there just because of the money. If you are feeling stuck now, you will certainly feel stuck somewhere else, especially if you hate the work. You deserve to spend your time doing something meaningful while also feeling secure about your finances.
Since you do love your job, I recommend sticking it out until you know for sure what the state of the business is. You don't want to quit prematurely when a layoff with financial benefits (like a severance package) might be just around the corner.
Build out your dream day
When someone I know is feeling stuck just like you are, I tell them to answer a few questions:
Since you are thinking about changing things up, this is a great opportunity to restructure a lot of things, not just your place of employment. Answering some of these questions will help you to figure out what next steps to take in the short term.
After you've done that, write down what an ideal day could be for you, including what work you want to be doing. Do you like analytical problem-solving? Public speaking? Writing? Look at the skills you currently use at work and write down which you love using the most. Then look at your current day-to-day and write down all the things you hate about it and wish you could change.
Once you've answered those questions and have made a solid list of all the things you like and dislike, begin to search for roles and companies that fit the criteria you've laid out.
The best part is that you can be doing all of this while still working full-time. This will help give you a backpack plan in case you do get laid off.
Settling won't save you
I know it might seem easy to quit and find a more comfortable job in an industry that's new, but that may only solve things temporarily. When you are unhappy with how you are spending your time, sooner or later everything in your life is going to feel unhappy. And you don't deserve that! Life is short!
It's important to be intentional about how you spend your time, and that may mean living with a bit of uncertainty (temporarily). Just make sure you have solid self-care routines in place outside of work and a savings account that you are contributing to regularly, just in case.
Best of luck, friend!