‘January quitters’ urged to answer three simple questions before walking out of their jobs
With the excitement of the festive season a distant memory, we’re well and truly back in the work grind.
As the days stay dark and payday still feels a lifetime away, many of us are simply slogging through the working week.
Whether you’re clocking eight hours at a desk or powering through shifts outside the traditional office, chances are the January blues are starting to bite.
And there’s something about this time of year that seems to magnify every frustration - especially when it comes to our jobs.
Advert
In fact, 2026 has already been dubbed the year of ‘revenge quitting’ by Harper’s Bazaar, while one study suggests nearly a quarter of British employees are planning to leave their roles this year.
So if you’ve caught yourself endlessly scrolling LinkedIn in search of something new, then you’re far from alone.
That said, a chartered psychologist has warned anyone tempted to hand in their notice on a January impulse.
Dr George Sik, a psychologist and director at workplace consultancy eras, explains that feeling dissatisfied right now isn't necessarily a sign to quit.
“After a long, demanding year, it’s completely understandable to feel the urge to walk away," he says.
"But January quitting is often emotional rather than strategic. Burnout can feel like clarity, and people sometimes mistake the need for rest or change within a role for the need to leave entirely.”
Instead, Dr George encourages workers to ask themselves three grounding questions before making the move.
What are the three questions?
Do you want the life your senior leaders are living?
Dr George advises looking 'a few steps ahead' before making any rash decisions, as he asks: "Do you admire and aspire to the people above you, and the lives they lead, or does their reality quietly put you off?"
Many people focus on the day-to-day tasks of their job without considering the direction it naturally leads them.
So, it's worth paying special attention to the colleagues and managers above you. Do they work long, relentless hours, or are they always on call? Do they never seem to have time for friends or hobbies?
"You don’t want to wake up years down the line and realize you’ve been working hard towards a version of success that you don’t actually want," Dr George adds.
If the role didn’t change for the next 12 months, could you?
Many workers wait for their working conditions to improve before re-engaging. But Dr George suggests flipping that perspective; if there's something you could stretch into or gain from the role as it stands, then it's worth trying.
"If you can see room for development, increased confidence or skill-building, that may be a sign the role still has something to offer even if it feels tough right now," he adds.
It's worth taking the time to assess, then, before making a rash decision.
Are you trying to escape discomfort, or a genuine dead end?
We all feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied at times, but that doesn't mean it's time to head out. Dr George explains that growth often feels unsettling, especially early in a career or during periods of change.
"January can then amplify those feelings, with energy lower and motivation naturally taking a dip," he adds, making usual work pressures suddenly feel intolerable.
"But leaving your job purely to escape discomfort can lead people to repeat the same frustrations elsewhere."
When is the right time to quit?
It turns out there is a right time to quit your job. And no, it's not when you're wiped out and at breaking point, Dr George says.
“The right time to quit is when you can explain why you’re leaving without it being purely driven by exhaustion, resentment or an urge to escape," he says.
"If your reasons are calm and specific rather than ‘I just can’t do this anymore,’ you’re far more likely to make a move that improves your working life."
Dr George concludes that sometimes the answer isn’t a new job, but a redefined role or an honest conversation at work with clearer boundaries.
Topics: Mental Health, Jobs, Life
Ellie Kemp