Ever woken up on a Monday and immediately regretted opening your eyes? You are not alone. A growing number of people globally – and right here in Nigeria – are recognizing that sometimes the bravest move isn’t hiring a coach, but walking away. Career expert Laura Gassner Otting highlights one clear sign: you’re chronically exhausted and that “Sunday Scaries” feeling creeps in every weekend.
Beyond burnout, quitting a bad fit – be it a toxic culture and colleagues, limited growth, or overbearing boss – is not weakness. It is a strategy. As one Forbes playbook describes, quitting isn’t giving up – it is giving yourself a path to something better.
So, how do you know when it is time to make that leap? Let’s look at the signs and how to do it thoughtfully – especially in our Nigerian context.
1. The “It Doesn’t Feel Worth It” Moment
If the daily grind feels like cheering for a team that never wins, something’s off. Career coach Erin McGoff says, “If you’ve been thinking about leaving for weeks or more, that’s a pretty strong signal”. It’s not just a bad day – it’s a pattern.
In Lagos fintech hubs, young professionals are leaving shiny startups after realizing their impact is void. No ownership, no challenge – just a fancy title and empty hours.
2. Lack of Direction or Growth
Had your current job for years – with no promotion or new responsibilities? According to career guides, that is a red flag. Another expert adds, “When there are no opportunities for growth in your organisation…it’s usually time to move on”.
In Nigerian public sector roles, professionals often stagnate for 3–5 years without training or new duties. The frustration builds until the finish line is just “Resign.”
3. Toxic Culture—When the Mood Sucks You Dry
Toxic work vibes are slowed poison. As Jobillico points out, gossip, favoritism, and micro-management signal a dead-end environment. In Nigeria, hierarchical public-theme workplaces often mask toxic politics in polite phrases like “just how we’ve always done things.”
If your salary and perks don’t offset the dread of entering the office, quitting may be the best self-care decision.
4. Micromanagers: Quit Them, Not You
There’s truth in the line – “people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses”. Constant monitoring, unwillingness to let you think, or actions that feel personally targeted? That’s a culture killer.
One tech lead in Abuja described it this way: “I had to rehearse every message in the team chat. One misstep, and I’d explain myself for an hour.” That’s not management – that’s mistrust.
5. It’s Draining Your Health—Physically or Mentally
Health is non-negotiable. Time.com warns: if work is making you sick – that’s your call to action. Not too long ago, I quit my job because it was damn sickening – mentally and physically. And the reddit crowd backs it up:
“I ended up crying one day in the office…my mental health declined… I had no backups…I sent in my resignation.”
If you’ve hit that point, stay no longer than needed. Health economies matter.
6. Ethical Mismatch – When You Can’t Stand the Values
If you’re being asked to compromise on integrity? Consider that your line in the sand. According to Career Resources, “Jeopardizing your principles can be as simple as lying to a client…It’s better to protect your integrity by quitting”.
This includes knowing when leadership is sweeping things under the rug – keeping quiet only enables toxicity.
7. Better Opportunities Are Calling
If you can’t help noticing job posts that excite you more than your daily tasks, consider this classic sign. Particularly in remote roles, many Nigerians are seeing fully-paid international jobs open to remote candidates – and the inbox full of opportunities can be hard to ignore.
8. You’re Plateaued: Skills Aren’t Being Used
When you’re coasting on a predictable workload but getting no exposure to new technologies, it’s stagnation. You were hired to excel- if you’re now only existing, you’ve been under-used.
9. Sunday Night Dread: A Symptom, Not Syndrome
That sinking feeling before the week starts? It’s more than dislike – it’s a signal. CNN Business counselors say, if you’re unhappy every Sunday night and the change doesn’t help, consider moving on.
10. You’ve Prepared for the Jump
Before quitting, have three components in place: clear signs, fallback resources or savings, and a plan.
Worst-case? Negative examples from Reddit show people left full-time to part-time hustles – not ideal, but sometimes necessary. Preferably, have a second offer or retirement buffer before quitting cold.
What to Do When You’re Sure It’s Time
- Reflect and Record
Make a list: what pushed you – and what pulled you toward the door? If it’s consistent, it’s not temporary. - Plan Your Exit Strategically
Either land the next role first or stash 3–6 months of expenses. - Devise a Soft Quit Strategy
Some hire “resignation substitutes,” like those in Japan – they’ll resign for you if you can’t face it. Not common here, but the fear is universal. - Leave Respectfully
One month or two weeks’ notice is standard as spelt out in your offer letter. Offer to train a replacement and provide a clean handover. - Manage Bridges, Not Burn Them
You’ll cross paths again – colleagues, ex-bosses, clients – they matter. Exit with grace.
Local People Who Did It Right
- A Lagos UX Designer left her bank job after noticing she’d stopped caring for detail – within weeks she landed a role at a global fintech.
- A Kano marketing lead quit a toxic retail chain; within a month he joined an NGO aligned with his values. He says: “Leaving felt scary, but I sleep better now.”
Know this: quitting is not defeat – it’s design. Quitting means you value your wellbeing, principles, and career on your terms. As Forbes reminds us: quitting is the first step toward something better, not a sign of giving up .
If you’re feeling this pull, trust it – but plan it. Reflect, talk to trusted peers or coaches, save your way where possible, and chart your next move. Nigerian workplace ICH (Ideal Career Horizon) isn’t in every office; sometimes you need to create your own path.
Your next workplace isn’t a reward for patience – it’s a platform for purpose.
