It’s a question I hear more and more often — from candidates, colleagues, even friends. And let’s be honest: it’s rarely one big thing that pushes someone to leave a company. Most of the time, it’s a quiet build-up of signs that slowly take the joy out of work. You start to feel less engaged. The energy you used to bring fades. Tasks that once felt manageable now feel heavy. Even the small wins don’t give you the satisfaction they used to.
You’re still showing up, doing your job — but there’s no spark. You stop offering new ideas because you don’t think they’ll go anywhere. You’ve started spending more time scrolling job boards during lunch breaks, telling yourself it’s just curiosity, but deep down you know it’s more than that.
For some, it’s about growth. You don’t feel like you’re learning anything new, and opportunities to develop just aren’t coming. For others, it’s about values. Maybe the mission or culture that once excited you no longer feels aligned with who you are now. Or the priorities at the company have shifted — and so have yours.
And then there’s loyalty — one of the hardest reasons people stay. You like your team. You respect your manager. You feel responsible. But staying only for others, while ignoring what you need, often leads to quiet resentment. You can care about the people and still choose yourself.
There’s no perfect formula or checklist for deciding when it’s time to go. But if you’ve started asking the question — “Should I stay?” — that question alone is already a sign. It means something isn’t sitting right anymore.
Leaving doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t mean you failed or gave up. Sometimes, it just means your chapter at this company is complete. You’ve grown, you’ve contributed, you’ve done your part — and now it’s time for something new, even if you don’t know exactly what that is yet.
And maybe, with summer in full swing — when life slows down just enough to reflect — it’s actually the perfect time to pause. To check in with yourself. To ask, honestly: What do I need next? What would it look like if I gave myself permission to explore something different?
You don’t have to have it all figured out. But don’t ignore that inner voice. It often shows up long before we’re ready to act — and for good reason.
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