SINGAPORE: A Singaporean who’s been thinking of leaving his first job for two years now has shared his dilemma on social media. He outlined the pros and cons of his current work situation:
“Pros: Lepak lifestyle. Can come work, do a bit of ppt, excel, then lepak for the rest of the day to browse Reddit and memes. No stress at all. Except during occasional periods where have to prepare proposal for customer. Cons: This SME really no future one. The way they work is terrible with zero standards and work ethics. It’s my way or the highway. Pay is abit low. 2.9k, engineering diploma.”
While eager to switch jobs, he candidly admits his reservations about ‘take the plunge’: “I want to switch, but I’m afraid that the new job has too much challenge. I suffer from MH (mental health) issues so I don’t know how much pressure will make me buckle…I know jumping from your first job is super common but idk I’m just scared.”
One concerned Redditor, AwkwardNarwhal5855, offered his perspective. He was initially inclined to advise the Redditor who posted to ‘bite the bullet and leave,’ but he also provided practical advice, especially considering the mental health issues at play: “If your current role affords you a stress-free environment while giving you a stable paycheck that can cover your current lifestyle, I would say focus on spending the next few months in working through our mental health issues first.”
He continued explaining, “If you have unresolved mental health issues, the last thing you would want to do is push through with big life changes that would take you out of your comfort zone. Even if your next job is a great one, changing jobs and being on probation always comes with some stress.”
Lastly, he added, “Once you’re confident that you have the mental fortitude and resolve to tackle this, make the switch. Note that it’s unlikely you will ever be 100% confident and secure when switching jobs, but you need to at least make sure you have a decent mental and psychological foundation to fall back on when things get hard.”
The Redditor who posted agreed and said, “You are correct. Thing is I don’t see my treatment going anywhere cos I’ve only ever done the bare minimum for my treatment, which are psychiatric visits for medication. I gave up on therapy cos it was a bleeding venture with no results…”
AwkwardNarwhal5855, further advised, “Really difficult for me (or anyone here) to advise because I’m no medical professional and Reddit is also not the right place for…mental health advice but if I were you and have been doing ‘the bare minimum’ for treatment, I’d put in a bit more focus into getting better. Easier said than done of course, but perhaps the therapist you were seeing wasn’t the right one for you, etc.” Providing motivation, he added, “Jiayou you got this!”
In line with verywell mind’s insights, it’s essential to “think about the long-term impact on your mental health when you envision quitting your job.”
If you plan to take a break from work, will it be good for you, or will it bring new difficulties?
As licensed mental health counsellor Kally Doyle said, “Your mental health deserves to be accounted for — just make sure to have a plan in place for paying bills, prioritizing your self-care, and that you’ve identified how long this break from working will last.”
13 Practical Tips for Coping While Still at Your Job
If you find yourself in a situation similar to the Redditor who posted, there are ways to cope while you’re still at work and deciding whether to leave your job, verywell mind reports.
- Start your day with positive affirmations
- Practice deep breathing before your first meeting
- Take regular breaks during the day
- Express gratitude for the people in your life
- Reflect on the value you bring to your work
- Talk to colleagues or your supervisor when facing challenges
- Go for mindful walks
- Identify three things you’re proud of at the end of the day
- Set clear boundaries with work, like turning off email notifications or leaving at a specific time
- Treat yourself to something enjoyable after work, like a hot shower or a walk with your dog
- Build connections with your coworkers
- Explore ways to find more meaning in your work
- Spend time with people and activities you love outside of work
As the Redditor contemplates between his job and mental health dilemma, it’s essential to recognize the importance of mental well-being.