Maybe you're tired of waking up every morning and going somewhere you no longer enjoy. Maybe your manager makes your work life stressful. Perhaps you're underpaid, overworked, or simply feel like you're no longer growing.
Sometimes, quitting really is the right decision.
But leaving a job is a major decision, especially when you depend on your income to pay rent, buy food, support your family, or take care of other responsibilities.
That's why it's important to pause and think before handing in your resignation.
Quitting a job when you're angry or frustrated can feel satisfying in the moment, but you may regret the decision later if you haven't prepared yourself financially or emotionally.
Before you quit your job, here are some important things to consider.
1. Understand Why You Want to Quit
The first question to ask yourself is simple:
Why do I want to leave?
Try to be honest with yourself.
Are you unhappy with your salary?
Do you dislike your working environment?
Is your manager difficult?
Are you experiencing burnout?
Do you feel unappreciated?
Are there no opportunities for growth?
Do you want to change careers?
Are you simply having a bad week?
There's a difference between being temporarily frustrated and genuinely wanting to leave your job.
If you're having a difficult week, you might feel differently after getting some rest.
However, if you've been unhappy for months and the same problems keep coming back, it may be a sign that something needs to change.
2. Can the Problem Be Fixed?
Before quitting, ask yourself whether the problem can actually be solved.
For example, if you're unhappy because of your workload, could you speak to your supervisor about it?
If you're struggling with your schedule, is there any possibility of adjusting your working hours?
If you feel underpaid, could you ask about a salary review?
If you're bored, could you request new responsibilities or training?
Not every workplace problem can be fixed, but some can.
If there's a reasonable solution, it may be worth trying before leaving.
3. Think About Your Finances
This is one of the most important considerations.
What happens financially after you leave?
If you quit today, do you have enough money to survive while looking for another job?
Consider your regular expenses, including:
Rent
Food
Transport
Electricity
Internet
School expenses
Debt payments
Family responsibilities
Medical expenses
Other monthly costs
If you have savings, calculate how long they could realistically last.
For example, if your monthly expenses are KSh 30,000 and you have KSh 90,000 saved, you theoretically have three months of expenses covered—but unexpected costs could reduce that period.
Understanding your financial position can help you make a more realistic decision.
4. Do You Have Another Job?
Ideally, it's safer to have another source of income before leaving your current job.
You don't necessarily need another job already secured, but having interviews lined up, applications submitted, or another income source can make the transition easier.
The job market can be unpredictable.
You might expect to find another job within a few weeks and end up searching for several months.
That's why it's important not to assume that your next opportunity will arrive immediately.
5. Consider Your Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Money isn't the only reason people leave jobs.
Sometimes a workplace can seriously affect someone's wellbeing.
If your job is causing constant stress, extreme exhaustion, anxiety, or other serious problems, you shouldn't ignore those warning signs.
There's a difference between normal workplace stress and an environment that is consistently harming your wellbeing.
If your situation is seriously affecting you, consider speaking to someone you trust or a qualified professional while planning your next step.
6. Don't Quit in the Middle of an Argument
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
You have a terrible day.
Your manager says something you don't like.
You become angry.
You walk into the office and announce:
"I quit!"
It might feel good for five minutes.
Then reality arrives.
Before making an emotional decision, give yourself time to cool down.
Sleep on it.
Think about the consequences.
Then make your decision when you're calm.
7. Look at Your Career Goals
Ask yourself where you want your career to go.
Does your current job help you move toward that destination?
Maybe you're working in a position that doesn't match your long-term goals.
That doesn't automatically mean you should quit immediately.
Sometimes a job can provide valuable experience, skills, contacts, and financial stability while you prepare for your next move.
Think about what your current job is giving you—not just what it's taking from you.
8. Are You Leaving Something or Moving Toward Something?
There's an important difference between leaving a bad situation and moving toward a better opportunity.
If you're quitting because you hate your current job, that's one reason.
But what are you moving toward?
A new career?
A business?
Further education?
Another company?
A different lifestyle?
Having a clear direction can make the decision easier.
You don't necessarily need to know exactly what your future looks like, but having some kind of plan is helpful.
9. Update Your CV Before Leaving
If you're considering quitting, don't wait until after you've left to update your CV.
Make sure your work history, skills, responsibilities, and achievements are up to date.
You should also gather important information about your professional experience while you still have access to it.
Having your CV ready means you can start applying for jobs immediately if necessary.
10. Start Looking for Opportunities Quietly
If you know you want to leave, start exploring your options before resigning.
Search for jobs.
Talk to people in your professional network.
Research companies.
Learn about salaries.
Improve your skills.
Attend interviews when possible.
This gives you a better understanding of what's available before you make your final decision.
11. Consider Your Notice Period
Before resigning, check your employment contract.
Find out how much notice you're expected to give.
Leaving without following the proper process could create unnecessary problems with your employer or affect your final payments or references.
Your contract should tell you what is expected.
If you're unsure, ask the appropriate person at work or seek professional advice.
12. Think About Your Benefits and Final Payments
Before leaving, understand what you're entitled to receive from your employer.
Depending on your employment arrangement and local employment rules, this could include things such as unpaid salary, accrued leave, or other contractual benefits.
Make sure you understand the process before you leave.
Keep copies of important employment documents for your personal records where appropriate.
13. Think About Your References
A good reference can be valuable when searching for another job.
Even if you're leaving because you're unhappy, try not to burn bridges unnecessarily.
You don't have to pretend that everything was perfect.
But you can remain professional.
You never know when you might need a former colleague, supervisor, or employer to confirm your work history.
14. Don't Tell Everyone Too Early
Once you've decided to leave, you may feel tempted to tell your coworkers immediately.
Be careful.
Until your resignation is official, keep the information reasonably private.
Workplace gossip can spread quickly.
Someone might misunderstand your plans or tell management before you're ready.
It's usually better to follow the appropriate resignation process first.
15. Think About Your Family and Other Responsibilities
Your decision may affect more than just you.
If other people depend on your income, consider how they would be affected if you stopped earning money.
This doesn't mean you should remain in an unhealthy situation forever.
It simply means you should include your responsibilities in your planning.
16. Consider Whether You Need a Break Instead
Sometimes you don't actually want to leave your career.
You just need rest.
If you're exhausted, taking some time off may change how you feel.
If your employer offers annual leave, consider using it.
A few days away from work can sometimes help you think more clearly.
Of course, if the underlying problem is the workplace itself, a holiday may only provide temporary relief.
17. Don't Compare Your Career to Other People's
Social media can make quitting look easy.
You see someone posting:
"I quit my 9-to-5 and started living my dream life."
It can make you feel like you're wasting your life by staying at your job.
But you don't know the full story.
You don't know how much money they had saved.
You don't know whether they have family support.
You don't know how long their business took to become profitable.
You don't know what happened behind the scenes.
Your career decision should be based on your circumstances—not someone else's social media post.
18. Have a Plan for Your First Few Months
If you're going to quit without another job, create a plan.
How many jobs will you apply for each week?
What skills will you improve?
How will you manage your expenses?
What will you do if you don't find work quickly?
Having a daily or weekly routine can prevent unemployment from becoming an unstructured period where you lose motivation.
19. Don't Be Afraid to Start Again
Leaving a job can feel scary because it means entering uncertainty.
But sometimes starting again is exactly what you need.
You might discover a career you enjoy more.
You might find a healthier workplace.
You might learn new skills.
You might eventually start your own business.
Your current job doesn't have to determine your entire future.
20. Trust Yourself, But Think Carefully
Ultimately, you're the person who has to live with the decision.
Other people may tell you:
"Just quit."
"Never quit without another job."
"Stay because at least you have money."
"Follow your dreams."
Everyone has an opinion.
But your circumstances are unique.
Listen to advice, but consider your own financial situation, responsibilities, wellbeing, career goals, and available opportunities.
When Is It Time to Seriously Consider Leaving?
There isn't one universal answer.
However, it may be worth seriously considering a change if:
Your workplace is consistently affecting your wellbeing.
There are no realistic opportunities for growth.
You're constantly treated with disrespect.
Your values seriously conflict with the workplace.
You're being asked to do something unsafe or seriously unethical.
Your compensation doesn't match your responsibilities and there is no path to improvement.
You've tried reasonable solutions and nothing has changed.
You have a realistic plan for your next step.
Again, every situation is different.
What If You Already Quit?
If you've already resigned without having another job, don't spend all your energy blaming yourself.
Instead, focus on what you can do next.
Review your finances.
Update your CV.
Start applying.
Reach out to contacts.
Learn useful skills.
Consider temporary work if necessary.
Look for opportunities you may not have considered before.
One decision doesn't determine your entire life.
Final Thoughts
Quitting a job is a major decision.
Sometimes it's exactly what you need to do.
Other times, the better option may be to stay temporarily while you prepare for your next opportunity.
The most important thing is to avoid making the decision purely from anger or frustration.
Understand why you want to leave.
Look at your finances.
Consider your responsibilities.
Explore other opportunities.
Think about your career goals.
Create a realistic plan.
And if you eventually decide that leaving is the right choice, leave professionally and move forward with confidence.
A job is an important part of life, but it isn't your entire identity.
Sometimes the goal isn't simply to escape a job you dislike.
The goal is to build a future that works better for you.
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