6 Bad Habits Causing You to Hate Your Job

If you spend Sunday nights dreading Monday morning, and spend your lunch breaks dreaming about a better job, you're probably stuck in a work rut. However, it might not mean you need to start updating your resume. So, before you start searching for a new job, see if you’re guilty of any of the below six habits. If so, it might not be your job that's the problem but a bad habit or two.

1. Comparing yourself to others.

Getting wrapped up in the comparison game helps no one. If you’re spending hours scrolling through Instagram to check out who’s traveling the world or attending lavish parties, then you’re sabotaging yourself. Instead of thinking about what everyone else is up to, focus on what you need to do to ensure your own personal growth.

2. Failing to prioritize your health.

When you’re not feeling well, everything becomes more difficult, including work. Take sick days when you need them, and keep up with doctor's appointments. If you aren't, you're destined to be unhappy.

3. Getting caught in a negativity cycle.

Everyone complains sometimes—it’s practically necessary to let off steam. But if you find yourself constantly complaining about things you either can’t control or won’t fix, it can make everyday seem worse. Rather than continuously bringing what bothers you to the forefront, try to focus on implementing the positive changes you can make. If your coworkers are constantly ragging on the job, try holding back and see if that changes the way you feel.

4. Pretending to be overly happy.

On the other hand, burying all of your feelings will also make you hate your current career situation. Studies have shown that stifling your feelings can cause built up resentment. You don’t have to lie about how you’re feeling, but you don’t have to go over the top pretending that nothing bothers you.

5. Not dressing like yourself.

When you don’t look like yourself, it’s hard to feel like yourself. Most offices have some sort of dress code in place, or at the very least some form of general guidelines, but within that framework, express you personal style by accessorizing and wearing what you feel confident in. If you’re spending the day dressed in clothes that don’t feel like ‘you,’ it can be much harder to feel truly comfortable.

6. Focusing on how things used to be.

If you used to have a really awesome boss or your company used to have a much better vibe, you can end up spending a lot of time and energy playing the ‘remember when’ game instead of focusing on what you’re accomplishing now. Just as you can get caught up with comparing yourself to other people, you can get caught up comparing yourself to the past version of yourself. Just don't. Focus on present you. You are pretty great.

A version of this post previously appeared on Fairygodboss, the largest career community that helps women get the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits, and work flexibility. Founded in 2015, Fairygodboss offers company ratings, job listings, discussion boards, and career advice.