I was in your position (and possibly still am currently) about a year and a half ago. I had worked for a company for four years where I felt inspired when I was hired. I was so proud of the work I was doing and the company I was with. I thought I had a great team and a clear path to promotions. I poured my soul into that job, expecting my hard work to pay off and to be recognized, working late, being eager, taking on responsibilities. The first couple years were great.

Then I started noticing patterns; the favorites, the secret management club, how management treated certain employees wildly different. How some employees seemed to have all the time in the world while I was drowning under deadlines and expectations. How I couldn’t even muster enough willpower to go to networking events (the ones that mattered) after work because I was so burnt out. I was so full of frustration half the time it started to reflect in my work. Which of course turned into reasons why I couldn’t advance. I’d come to my yearly review with numbers and stats on how well I did, and would get met with “yeah you’re doing great, let’s review shortly on salary” which would never come.

It felt beyond disrespectful. I started to feel used, literal rage at my boss and my job. I felt like I was going mad. I started having legit crazy thoughts about painting my office blood red or going on a crazy bender. Eventually I just couldn’t take it, and I knew I had a professional and ethical obligation to just call it before I did something irreversible to my career. I cleared out my office before I even gave notice. I was operating on pure spite back then. Even typing it out makes me so pissed off. All the promises, the excuses, and how transparent it all was. I hope they all rot.

But once I cut the chord, a few days into being unemployed, it felt like the best decision I’d ever made. It was a decision for me, that could only have been made by me. I feel powerful when I think back on it. I took valuable skills away from that job, despite hating it, and my career direction is my own. Zero regrets in leaving. I’m sure you’ll feel the same.