Frustration.  Anger.  Annoyance.  These were the feelings I had every day when I was at work, desperately seeking a new job, but not finding anything as quickly as I wanted.

I received my Master’s in Athletic Training back in 2011, and was very excited for this new adventure.  My first “big girl” job was at a D3 college, covering volleyball and lacrosse, and I was nervous as all get out.  I had no idea what to expect, and it was a learning experience.  From there I moved to a large high school, covering 17 sports by myself, and was there for a little over 3 years.  I was surrounded by wonderful coaches, administration, and friends at this job.  I enjoyed everyone I interacted with at this job, but towards the end of my time there, I knew I was already burnt out on doing athletic training. I dreaded getting into my car to head to work, and had nothing but negative feelings while driving there. I still enjoyed the people I was surrounded with, but would silently say a prayer that no one would come into my training room wanting help.

Below I’ve listed ways that I knew I needed to make a change, and hope maybe this helps if you feel like you’re having the same issue.

1. Your heart isn’t in it.  Things about your job you used to love, don’t have the same effect anymore. You’re going through the motions, and not really caring what the result is. Your frustration level is through the roof, and people just tend to irritate you even more than usual.

2. You dread getting in your car to even go there. I would have to give myself a pep talk EVERY day, that I would find a new job, and something to bring back the spark I used to have.

3. Anyone you talk to while there, annoys the crap out of you. I worked with high schoolers at the time, so annoyance was a daily emotion, but I could always control it because I knew I was helping them. Once I couldn’t control that emotion, I knew I wasn’t good for them. They needed someone that was ready for the challenge every day of helping them, and I couldn’t find the energy to even do that. I hated that, because they were great kids.

4. You leave work already dreading the next day. Every day. I would look at my schedule for the next day, and already hate everything about it. I would go home, put off going to bed because that meant the next day would be here, and then oversleep because I was so tired. That definitely didn’t help my situation, being tired and cranky!

5. Minimal effort given. Zero f@$@s given? Pretty close. I still had these kids lives in my hands, so I was always aware at practices and games, and still took care of them, but again I was always going through the motions. And I don’t work well like that, I’m an emotional and caring person, I didn’t like what I had become.

6. You spend free time at work, searching for a new job. I had every app possible, searching anytime I had a free moment. I was looking at outrageous jobs that I was overly qualified for. I didn’t care.

7. Your feelings spill over into your personal life. My poor husband, boyfriend at the time. He was miserable at his job, and I at mine. We enjoyed our time together, but work always came up because we would bring those negative feelings home. And who do we tend to take those negative feelings out on? Those closest to us.