"Quit or Stay?" The "Real Risks" of Changing Jobs That People in Their 30s Need to Know

Introduction

"I want to quit my job..."

Don't those thoughts cross your mind in fleeting moments?

Enduring unreasonable words from your boss, getting fed up with the crowded train every morning, and before you know it, your spirit is being worn down little by little.

However, once you reach your 30s, the hurdle of "quitting your job" becomes incredibly high, doesn't it?

Even though you want to quit, only the "risks of quitting" come to mind, and in the end, the days pass by without anything changing.

I used to live a life like that in the past, too.

But that didn't change anything.

"The risks of quitting"are something everyone thinks about often, but few people have ever thought about the "risks of not quitting."

This article is for you, if you are in your 30s and struggling with changing jobs, and will introduce the risks of quitting versus not quitting.

What are the risks of quitting?

First, here are the main risks that can be considered when "quitting."

・Income temporarily decreases or disappears

・The possibility of not finding a new job

・A gap in your career

・Conditions might be worse than they are now

・People around you might think you "ran away"

・You might not fit in at your new job

All of these are real and certainly sources of anxiety. It is understandable that you feel changing jobs equals high risk, especially since your 30s is a time when your responsibilities are increasing in terms of life stages.

However, what is important here is that "there are many risks that can be reduced if you prepare properly."

However, what is important here is that "there are many risks that can be reduced if you prepare properly."

For example...

・Start your job search while still employed

・Hone your skills through a side job

・Gather information thoroughly

It is a fact that you can control the "risks of quitting" depending on how you go about it.

If your tenure at your current company is short, it is also true that it is easier to make a move.

I changed jobs repeatedly in my 20s, and since my tenure was short—at most three years—it was easy for me to take the step toward changing jobs.

However, the longer your tenure becomes, the more courage it takes to leave your current situation and take the leap into a new job.

Therefore, there is no need to suddenly get fired up about "changing jobs."

I recommend starting by simply beginning the job search process.

Some people mistakenly believe that once they start job hunting, they “must change jobs,” but if you don't find a company that exceeds your current one through your search, you can also choose “not to change jobs.”

A major benefit of job hunting is that it allows you to realize the good points of your current job.

The risks of not quitting are surprisingly easy to overlook

On the other hand, what about the “risks of not quitting”?

This side is surprisingly often overlooked.

But in reality, there are hidden risks that gradually take their toll.

・Your mental health is worn down by continuing to endure

・You miss out on opportunities for skills and career growth that you could have otherwise achieved

・Your motivation drops because the environment is not a good fit

・Your self-esteem declines and you lose confidence

・Before you know it, you lose sight of "what you wanted to do"

・You will regret it later

In other words, "staying as you are" is actually quite dangerous as well.

It is often said that maintaining the status quo is a form of decline, and that is exactly right; there is also risk in staying as you are.

Even small stresses that you don't notice can accumulate over one or two years, potentially breaking your mind and body.

I ended up changing jobs repeatedly myself, but I have never regretted it.

If I hadn't taken action back then, I would definitely have regretted it.

And above all, if you don't take action while you still have the "energy and mental capacity to change jobs," you might find yourself unable to move when you truly reach your limit.

Which one is the right answer?

What I want to convey here is that there are risks whether you quit or not.

It's not about which is the right answer, but whether it is a choice you can be satisfied with that is extremely important.

✅ What is the reason you thought you "want to quit"?

✅ Should you really quit?

✅ Or can it be improved just by changing your current environment a little?

Facing yourself from these perspectives is the first step.

Based on that,

・Take a short break (paid leave, leave of absence, etc.)

・Consult with your supervisor to adjust your workload

・Start a side job or work on skill development

・Start job hunting secretly

and so on,you don't have to "quit suddenly"because there are many options available today.

This is a story about a friend of mine, but it seems they didn't like the atmosphere in the department they were working in, but it improved after a department transfer.

In this way, if you have no complaints about the company itself and the problem is only in your current department, it can sometimes be solved by a department transfer.

Changing jobs is suitable for quickly changing your current situation, and it can also be said to be an effective means that can be used as a last resort.

In conclusion

Working while struggling with the feeling of "I want to quit, but I can't..." is truly painful, isn't it?

This state is especially easy to fall into if you have been at your current workplace for a long time.

It feels like a waste after working here for so long...

However, keeping a lid on those feelings and continuing to endure might actually be even more dangerous.

You don't have to decide whether to quit right away.

But just having preparations to quit and options for when you do quit can give you peace of mind.

Even if you don't end up quitting, the simple fact that you feel you can quit at any time makes working surprisingly easier.

Whichever you choose, you will be fine if you prepare properly.

Let's protect your own life.

I hope this article serves as an opportunity for those in their 30s struggling with job changes to learn about the risks of quitting and the risks of not quitting✨

An announcement from Koba-Tora!

Koba-Tora's Career Handbook magazine.

It contains all the articles I have written so far.

It is a one-time purchase, and once you buy it, you can read the articles without any additional fees.
You can read everything, including past articles.

I will continue to add articles in the future.
The price may increase as more articles are added, so purchasing early will allow you to read them at a better value.

This is a magazine where you can read 50 job change articles at a great value.

This is a magazine where you can read 50 work-related articles at a great value.

Thank you for reading until the end.
I hope this was helpful!
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See you in the next article!🐯