When you hate your job, every morning feels like a battle.
Dragging yourself out of bed, forcing yourself through the commute, and pretending to care about tasks that drain you — it’s utterly exhausting, not to mention soul-destroying. However, until you find something better (if “better” even exists these days), you still have to show up. If you’re struggling to find the will to get through the workday, here are a few ways to potentially make it a little easier.
1. Focus on what your job is giving you (even if it’s just money).
When you hate your job, it’s easy to fixate on everything wrong with it. But if you’re stuck there for now, shifting your focus to what you’re gaining from it — whether that’s paying bills, building experience, or just keeping a roof over your head — can make it slightly more bearable. Even if the only good thing about your job is the salary, that’s still something worth recognising. Reminding yourself that this job is a stepping stone rather than a life sentence can help shift your mindset. You’re not working because you love it; you’re working because it serves a purpose. Focusing on that purpose, rather than the misery of your daily tasks, might make dragging yourself there a little easier.
2. Give yourself something to look forward to every day.
When your work feels unbearable, it helps to break up the day with little rewards. Whether it’s treating yourself to your favourite coffee, listening to a great podcast on your commute, or planning something fun after work, having something to look forward to makes a difference. Even small moments of enjoyment can help break up the monotony. Work feels worse when it’s the only thing in your day. If you make sure there’s at least one enjoyable moment waiting for you, no matter how small, it gives you a reason to push through. Sometimes, just knowing you have a nice meal planned for lunch or a relaxing evening ahead is enough to keep you going.
3. Create a countdown to something better.
Having an end goal makes getting through the present easier. Whether it’s a holiday you’ve booked, a savings goal you’re working towards, or even just the weekend, counting down the days gives you something tangible to look forward to. It turns your misery into something temporary rather than endless. If you’re actively job hunting, this countdown could be the time you’re giving yourself to find something better. Knowing there’s a deadline, whether self-imposed or real, can make it easier to keep going. The worst jobs feel unbearable when they seem endless, but if you can see a finish line, they become easier to endure.
4. Redefine what “success” looks like for now.
When you’re in a job you hate, it’s easy to feel stuck and unmotivated. But if you shift your mindset, success doesn’t have to mean excelling at the job itself — it can mean surviving it. Maybe success today means just getting through the morning without wanting to quit. Maybe it means keeping a professional attitude despite your frustration. Reframing what “doing well” looks like can help you feel a sense of accomplishment, even in a job you despise. Instead of feeling like you’re failing because you’re not excelling, acknowledge that simply showing up and doing what you need to do is enough for now.
5. Set mini-goals within your workday.
Breaking your day into smaller, more manageable parts can make it feel less overwhelming. Instead of thinking about surviving the entire work week, focus on getting through the morning, then lunch, then the afternoon. Setting mini-goals, like completing one task before your next break, can help the day feel less like an endless slog. Gamifying your work, even in small ways, can create a sense of progress. If you see each part of your day as something to “get through” rather than one long nightmare, it can trick your brain into feeling more in control.
6. Detach emotionally from the job.
One of the hardest parts of hating your job is letting it affect you emotionally. If you take everything personally — rude customers, demanding bosses, pointless meetings — you’ll burn out faster. Learning to emotionally detach and treat it as just a transaction (your time for their money) can help make it feel less exhausting. Think of your job as a role you’re playing, rather than something that defines you. If you can mentally clock out even before you physically do, it becomes easier to get through the day without letting it drain you completely.
7. Change what you can, even if it’s small.
When a job is awful, it can feel like you have no control over your day. But sometimes, making even small changes like rearranging your workspace, listening to music while you work, or adjusting your routine can help. Even a little bit of control can make a big difference in how you feel. Not everything is within your power to change, but focusing on the things you can tweak helps break the feeling of being completely stuck. Even minor improvements to your work environment or schedule can make a frustrating job more bearable.
8. Use work hours to secretly work on your escape plan.
If your job is unbearable, start using your work hours to prepare for your next move. Whether that’s job hunting, learning new skills, or networking, treat your current role as a temporary base while you figure out your next step. The time you’re stuck there doesn’t have to be wasted; it can be used to set yourself up for something better. Of course, be discreet about it, but finding little ways to invest in your future while you’re stuck in the present can make work feel less like a dead end. Knowing you’re actively working on your escape makes each workday feel like a step towards something better.
9. Find a work friend (or at least an ally).
Having at least one person who understands your frustration can make all the difference. Even if you don’t love your job, knowing you’re not suffering alone makes it more tolerable. A work friend can be someone to vent to, joke with, or simply share eye rolls with in meetings. Even if you’re not the type to get close to colleagues, having an ally — someone who understands the workplace dynamic — can make work feel less isolating. Shared frustration is easier to handle than suffering in silence.
10. Stop putting extra effort into a job you hate.
It sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re constantly pushing yourself to excel at a job that doesn’t reward you, it’s only going to make you more miserable. Give yourself permission to do what’s required without going above and beyond. Protecting your energy is more important than impressing people who don’t appreciate it. Sometimes, the best way to cope with a job you hate is to stop investing unnecessary emotional energy into it. Do what you need to, maintain professionalism, but don’t drain yourself trying to make it feel meaningful if it isn’t.
11. Remember that your job isn’t your identity.
When you hate your job, it’s easy to let it consume you. But your career isn’t the only thing that defines you. If you remind yourself that work is just one part of your life, not your entire existence, it can help reduce the emotional weight it holds. Invest in hobbies, relationships, and personal goals outside of work. The more fulfilled you feel outside your job, the less it will matter how miserable it is while you’re there.
12. Think of it as temporary, even if you don’t have a plan yet.
One of the hardest parts of being in a job you hate is the feeling of being trapped. But even if you don’t know your next move yet, reminding yourself that no job is forever can help shift your mindset. Every situation changes eventually, and you won’t be stuck there forever. Thinking of your job as a temporary phase, even if you haven’t figured out an exit strategy yet, can make it easier to endure. Nothing lasts forever, and eventually, you’ll move on.
13. Start actively looking for a way out.
At some point, the best way to cope with a job you hate is to make a real plan to leave. Even if you don’t have an immediate opportunity, actively searching, applying, and networking gives you hope. It’s easier to show up every day when you know you’re working towards something better. Taking control of your future is the best antidote to feeling stuck. Even if it takes time, knowing you’re making moves towards an exit gives you something real to hold onto.
