5 Signs You’re Stuck In A Bullshit Job: A Complete Guide To Transforming Your Professional Life

If you wake up dreading work or catch yourself daydreaming about anything besides your job, you might be stuck in what I call a bullshit job. Some jobs feel pointless, draining, or like they’re leading you nowhere. If you’re nodding along already, it’s probably time to check if some classic warning signs are popping up. Knowing what to look out for is pretty handy if you want to avoid spending years in a role that eats away at your motivation. Here, I’m breaking down five signs you’re stuck in a bullshit job, and sharing practical tips on how to bounce out fast.

What Makes a Job “Bullshit”?

A bullshit job usually feels pointless or disconnected from anything meaningful. The term was popularized by anthropologist David Graeber, who described these jobs as roles that even the people doing them see as unnecessary or a waste of time. Think work that fills up space, rubber-stamp tasks, or endless meetings no one cares about. If you’re in a job like this, you probably ask yourself, “Does any of this matter?” more than once a week.

Tons of workers, across all sorts of industries, end up in jobs where they struggle to see the value. Job satisfaction numbers line up with this, too; Gallup’s annual workplace survey consistently shows that most people don’t feel engaged at work. Feeling stuck or like you’re just going through the motions is more common than you might think. In fact, there’s been a noticeable uptick in discussions around workplace meaning and the hunt for roles that inspire rather than drain. If you keep feeling like your best skills are gathering dust, it’s not just your imagination—you’re probably not alone.

5 Signs You’re Stuck in a Bullshit Job

Spotting the warning signs early can help prevent career burnout. These are the five signs I see most often, both in my own experience and from talking with friends who’ve leaped to something better.

• No Clear Impact or Value: You do tasks over and over, but nothing ever seems to change. Maybe you draft reports that no one reads or fill in spreadsheets that serve no real purpose. If your work feels separated from anything that actually helps a company or person, that’s a red flag.
• Meetings Over Meaning: Meetings take up most of your calendar, but decisions never get made. It’s all about ticking boxes or “touching base.” If you leave meetings thinking, “What did we even talk about?” it’s time to question the point of your job.
• Constant Busywork, No Progress: You’re always busy but never productive. You spend your days shuffling emails or fussing with small admin stuff instead of actually creating, solving, or building anything.
• No Growth Path: There’s nowhere to go. Maybe there’s no training, no opportunity for new projects, or every attempt at improvement gets shot down. If you can’t picture yourself in a better role in this company a year from now, you’re probably stuck.
• You Don’t Even Care: The most significant sign is emotional. You’re bored or drained all the time. You stop caring about doing good work. Some days, you might be physically present but mentally checked out by lunch.

Bonus Tip: Another giveaway is if you start relying on distractions to get through the day. If open web browsers, endless scrolling, or constantly checking your phone become your main coping mechanisms, your mind is likely craving a more meaningful challenge or a sense of accomplishment.

Understanding the Root Causes of Professional Discontent

Workplace unhappiness has reached epidemic proportions, with studies showing that over 70% of employees experience dissatisfaction in their current roles. We recognize that feeling trapped in an unfulfilling job creates a cascade of adverse effects that extend far beyond the office walls, impacting mental health, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.

The modern professional landscape presents unique challenges that our predecessors never faced. We’re navigating an era where job security has eroded, workplace expectations have intensified, and the traditional boundaries between personal and professional life have dissolved. Understanding these systemic issues is the first step toward reclaiming control over our career trajectory.

The Hidden Psychology Behind Professional Misery

The Meaning-Making Crisis in Modern Work

When we examine workplace dissatisfaction through a psychological lens, we discover that humans have an inherent need for purpose and contribution. This fundamental drive becomes frustrated when our daily tasks feel disconnected from meaningful outcomes. We’ve observed that employees consistently report higher satisfaction when they can directly see how their work impacts others or advances a mission they believe in.

The disconnect between personal values and organizational priorities creates what psychologists term “moral dissonance.” This internal conflict manifests as chronic stress, decreased motivation, and a gradual erosion of professional identity. We must recognize that this isn’t a personal failing but rather a natural response to value misalignment.

The Autonomy Deficit and Its Consequences

Research consistently demonstrates that autonomy ranks among the most critical factors for job satisfaction. When we feel micromanaged or stripped of decision-making authority, our psychological well-being suffers dramatically. The human brain is wired to seek control over our environment, and workplace structures that deny this fundamental need inevitably generate resistance and unhappiness.

We’ve identified that employees who report high levels of autonomy show significantly better performance metrics, lower turnover rates, and improved mental health outcomes. Organizations that fail to provide adequate autonomy inadvertently create cultures of disengagement and resentment.

Why Bullshit Jobs Are So Common (And Why They’re Hard to Leave)

Companies sometimes keep roles that should have changed or disappeared years ago. Bureaucracy, bad management, and a fear of ruffling feathers can lead to pointless work sticking around. In big organizations, jobs emerge to “support” each other and multiply for no real reason, like extra layers of approval or endless paperwork. This kind of waste is so normal that it can feel almost invisible when you’re in it.

People often stay in bullshit jobs out of comfort, fear, or simply not knowing what else to do. Having a regular paycheck or being used to a daily routine makes leaving scary. Even admitting your job is pointless can be tough, especially when society ties so much of your value to what you do for work. On top of that, changing industries or roles can feel like starting from scratch—especially if you’ve been in one place for years.

Recognizing the Seven Warning Signs of Career Toxicity

1. Sunday Night Dread Syndrome

The pit in your stomach that forms every Sunday evening serves as a reliable indicator of workplace toxicity. We call this phenomenon “anticipatory anxiety,” and it represents your subconscious mind’s attempt to prepare for an unpleasant experience. When the mere thought of Monday morning triggers stress responses, we’re dealing with more than temporary job dissatisfaction.

This psychological pattern often develops gradually, making it easy to dismiss as everyday work stress. However, chronic anticipatory anxiety can lead to sleep disorders, digestive issues, and compromised immune function. We must take these physical symptoms seriously as indicators that our work environment requires immediate attention.

2. The Creativity Graveyard Effect

One of the most insidious aspects of workplace unhappiness is how it systematically erodes our creative capacity. When we’re operating in survival mode, constantly managing stress and navigating toxic dynamics, our brain’s creative centers shut down to conserve energy for more immediate threats.

We’ve observed that professionals in unsatisfying roles often report feeling like their innovative thinking has atrophied. Ideas that once flowed freely become scarce, and once sharp problem-solving abilities begin to dull. This isn’t a permanent condition, but it requires conscious effort to reverse once we’ve escaped the toxic environment.

3. Identity Erosion and Professional Disconnect

Over time, workplace unhappiness begins to affect how we see ourselves professionally. We may find ourselves questioning our competence, doubting our career choices, or feeling like impostors in our own field. This identity confusion stems from prolonged exposure to environments that don’t allow us to express our authentic professional selves.

The erosion of professional identity creates a downward spiral, where decreased confidence leads to diminished performance, which in turn further reinforces a negative self-perception. Breaking this cycle requires deliberate action to reconnect with our core professional values and strengths.

4. Physical Manifestations of Work Stress

Our bodies provide clear signals when our work environment becomes toxic. Chronic headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, and frequent illness often correlate directly with job dissatisfaction. We’ve learned to recognize these symptoms as our body’s early warning system, alerting us to environmental factors that threaten our well-being.

The stress hormone cortisol, when elevated chronically due to workplace conditions, suppresses immune function and disrupts normal physiological processes. We must view these physical symptoms not as inconveniences to be medicated away, but as essential data about the impact of our work environment on our health.

5. Relationship Strain and Social Withdrawal

Workplace unhappiness rarely stays contained to office hours. The stress and frustration we experience at work inevitably spill over into our personal relationships. We may find ourselves more irritable with family members, less engaged with friends, or too emotionally drained to maintain healthy social connections.

This social isolation compounds the adverse effects of workplace toxicity, depriving us of the support systems we need to cope with professional challenges. We often underestimate the significant impact our work environment has on our ability to form meaningful relationships outside of work.

6. The Skill Stagnation Trap

When we’re unhappy at work, professional development often grinds to a halt. We lose motivation to learn new skills, pursue certifications, or seek growth opportunities. This stagnation creates a dangerous cycle where reduced marketability makes it harder to escape unsatisfying roles, further entrenching feelings of helplessness.

We must recognize that skill stagnation isn’t laziness or lack of ambition—it’s a natural response to environments that don’t nurture growth. The human brain conserves energy when it perceives threats, redirecting resources away from learning and toward survival functions.

7. Financial Fear Paralysis

One of the most common reasons people remain in unsatisfying jobs is financial fear. We convince ourselves that any change represents unacceptable risk, even when staying poses greater long-term threats to our earning potential and career trajectory. This fear-based thinking often prevents us from seeing creative solutions or alternative paths forward.

Understanding the actual cost of staying in a toxic work environment—including lost opportunities, health impacts, and decreased lifetime earnings—often reveals that the “safe” choice isn’t actually safe at all.

The Four Pillars of Professional Transformation

Pillar 1: Values Alignment and Purpose Discovery

The foundation of workplace satisfaction lies in aligning our daily activities with our core values. We must first identify what truly matters to us beyond salary and benefits. This involves deep introspection about what kinds of contributions energize us, what environments allow us to thrive, and what legacy we want to build through our professional work.

Values alignment isn’t about finding the “perfect” job—it’s about making conscious choices that move us closer to roles that honor our authentic selves. Even minor adjustments in how we approach our current role can create significant improvements in satisfaction when guided by clear values.

Pillar 2: Skill Development and Market Positioning

Escaping workplace unhappiness often requires expanding our professional capabilities and market value. We recommend conducting a thorough skills audit to identify gaps between our current abilities and our target roles. This analysis should encompass both technical skills and soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

The key is strategic skill development—focusing on competencies that are both personally fulfilling and marketable. We must resist the temptation to accumulate credentials randomly and instead build a coherent skill set that supports our career vision.

Pillar 3: Network Expansion and Relationship Building

Professional relationships serve as bridges to new opportunities and sources of support during career transitions. We often underestimate the power of genuine professional connections built on mutual value creation rather than transactional networking.

Effective networking involves identifying individuals whose work we admire and finding ways to contribute value to their projects or objectives. This approach builds authentic relationships that naturally lead to opportunities, referrals, and collaborative ventures.

Pillar 4: Financial Foundation and Risk Management

Creating financial stability provides the freedom to make bold career moves without desperation driving our decisions. We recommend building an emergency fund equivalent to six months of expenses, designated explicitly for career transitions. This financial buffer transforms job searching from a desperate scramble into a strategic selection process.

Additionally, we must consider alternative income streams that align with our skills and interests. Freelancing, consulting, or creating digital products can provide both supplemental income and testing grounds for potential career pivots.

Strategic Approaches to Career Transition

The Gradual Pivot Method

Not everyone can or should make dramatic career changes overnight. The gradual pivot method allows us to test new directions while maintaining stability. This might involve taking on new responsibilities in our current role, pursuing relevant certifications, or developing side projects that explore alternative career paths.

The key is making deliberate moves toward our target destination while gathering data about what truly satisfies us professionally. Each small step provides valuable feedback that informs our next decision.

The Portfolio Career Strategy

Modern professionals increasingly embrace portfolio careers that combine multiple income streams and professional identities. This approach offers diversification benefits similar to those found in investment portfolios—if one stream encounters difficulties, others continue to provide stability.

We might combine part-time employment with consulting work, teaching, or creative projects. This model requires strong time management and clear boundaries but offers unprecedented flexibility and creative expression.

The Entrepreneurial Escape Route

For some professionals, the path to workplace satisfaction leads through entrepreneurship. Starting a business allows complete control over the work environment, values alignment, and creative expression. However, entrepreneurship requires careful planning, financial preparation, and realistic expectations about the challenges involved.

We recommend testing entrepreneurial ideas through side projects before making full commitments. This approach enables us to validate concepts and develop the necessary skills while maintaining financial stability.

Creating Positive Change in Current Roles

Environmental Optimization Strategies

Sometimes workplace unhappiness stems from environmental factors rather than a fundamental job mismatch. We can often make significant improvements by optimizing our physical workspace, establishing better boundaries with colleagues, or negotiating flexible work arrangements.

Simple changes, such as improving lighting, reducing noise distractions, or creating dedicated spaces for focused work, can have a dramatic impact on one’s daily experience. We must remember that we have more control over our work environment than we often realize.

Communication and Boundary Management

Many workplace problems stem from unclear expectations or poor communication patterns. We can improve our professional experience by having direct conversations about role expectations, workload management, and career development opportunities.

Setting clear boundaries around availability, communication preferences, and work-life integration not only protects our well-being but also demonstrates professional maturity. These boundaries must be consistently maintained and clearly communicated to be effective.

Skill Utilization and Growth Opportunities

Sometimes we feel unfulfilled because we’re not utilizing our strongest skills or growing in directions that interest us. We can often negotiate projects or responsibilities that better align with our strengths and career goals, even within existing roles.

Proactively proposing solutions to organizational challenges positions us as valuable contributors while providing opportunities to develop new capabilities. This approach benefits both individual satisfaction and organizational success.

Building Resilience During Difficult Transitions

Psychological Preparation for Change

Career transitions involve inevitable uncertainty and discomfort. Preparing psychologically for these challenges increases our likelihood of success. We must develop tolerance for ambiguity, maintain perspective during setbacks, and celebrate small victories along the way.

Mental preparation involves visualizing successful outcomes, identifying potential obstacles and solutions, and establishing support systems that offer encouragement during challenging moments. This preparation enables unexpected crises to be managed within a planned process.

Maintaining Motivation Through Setbacks

Career transitions rarely proceed smoothly from start to finish. We must expect setbacks, rejections, and moments of doubt as standard parts of the process rather than signs of failure. Maintaining motivation requires connecting with our deeper reasons for seeking change and celebrating progress rather than fixating on perfect outcomes.

Developing resilience involves building habits that support our physical and mental health during stressful periods. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, meaningful social connections, and stress management practices provide the foundation for sustained effort during challenging transitions.

Creating Accountability and Support Systems

Isolation compounds the difficulty of career transitions. We benefit tremendously from creating accountability systems that provide both encouragement and gentle pressure to continue making progress toward our goals.

This may involve working with career coaches, joining professional development groups, or forming informal accountability partnerships with peers who are also pursuing similar changes. Regular check-ins with supportive individuals help maintain momentum and provide fresh perspectives on challenges.

The Technology Factor in Modern Career Satisfaction

Digital Tools for Career Management

Modern technology provides unprecedented tools for career management and transition. We can leverage platforms like LinkedIn for networking, online learning platforms for skill development, and project management tools for organizing our career transition process.

However, we must use technology strategically rather than letting it overwhelm us with choices. The key is identifying specific tools that support our individual goals rather than trying to master every available platform.

Remote Work and Flexible Arrangements

The rise of remote work has fundamentally changed career possibilities. We can now access opportunities regardless of geographic location and design work arrangements that better support our lifestyle preferences and productivity patterns.

However, remote work requires different skills and self-management approaches than traditional office environments. Success in remote roles depends on strong communication skills, self-discipline, and the ability to create structure in unstructured environments.

The Gig Economy and Alternative Career Paths

The gig economy offers alternatives to traditional employment, providing greater flexibility and control over work conditions. Freelancing, consulting, and project-based work allow us to design careers around our preferences rather than conforming to organizational structures.

These alternative paths require different approaches to financial planning, skill development, and professional marketing. Success depends on treating ourselves as businesses and developing competencies in areas like client relationship management and self-promotion.

Long-term Career Satisfaction Strategies

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Career satisfaction in the modern economy requires commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. Industries evolve rapidly, and professionals must continuously update their skills and knowledge to remain relevant and engaged.

We recommend developing learning habits that naturally fit into our routines, rather than relying solely on formal education programs. This might include listening to podcasts during commutes, taking online courses during lunch breaks, or reading professional materials before bed.

Building Multiple Career Scenarios

Rather than pursuing single career paths, successful professionals often develop multiple scenarios based on different interests and market conditions. This approach provides flexibility when opportunities arise and reduces anxiety about making “perfect” career decisions.

Scenario planning involves identifying various paths that could provide satisfaction and systematically building capabilities that support multiple options. This strategy reduces risk while maintaining openness to unexpected opportunities.

Maintaining Work-Life Integration

Sustainable career satisfaction requires attention to work-life integration rather than balance. Integration recognizes that professional and personal aspects of life can enhance each other rather than competing for limited resources.

This approach involves making conscious choices about how we spend our time and energy, ensuring that our professional activities support our broader life goals rather than undermining them.

Taking Action: Your 90-Day Transformation Plan

Days 1-30: Assessment and Foundation Building

The first month focuses on an honest assessment of your current situation and building the foundation for change. We begin by documenting specific aspects of work that create dissatisfaction, identifying patterns in our emotional and physical responses to different workplace situations.

During this phase, we also begin building financial reserves and researching alternative career paths. The goal is to gather information rather than make significant decisions, allowing us to approach subsequent phases from a position of strength rather than desperation.

Days 31-60: Skill Development and Network Expansion

The second month emphasizes building capabilities and relationships that support our career goals. We focus on developing high-value skills that align with our interests while beginning to engage with professionals in our target fields.

This phase requires balancing current job responsibilities with investment in future opportunities. Time management becomes increasingly critical as we incorporate learning activities and networking efforts into our existing schedules.

Days 61-90: Implementation and Momentum Building

The final month involves taking concrete steps toward our career goals. This might include applying for positions, launching side projects, or having serious conversations with current employers about role modifications.

The key is maintaining momentum while remaining flexible about specific opportunities that arise. Success in this phase depends on the foundation built during the previous two months.

Measuring Success and Maintaining Progress

Defining Personal Success Metrics

Career satisfaction means different things to different people. We must develop personal metrics that reflect our values and goals rather than accepting societal definitions of professional success. These metrics may include work-life integration measures, learning and growth indicators, or assessments of contribution and impact.

Regular measurement against these personalized metrics helps us stay aligned with our authentic goals rather than being swayed by external pressures or temporary setbacks.

Creating Feedback Loops

Sustainable career satisfaction requires ongoing attention and adjustment. We benefit from creating formal and informal feedback mechanisms that help us recognize when we’re drifting away from our goals or when new opportunities align with our evolving interests.

This might involve regular self-reflection sessions, feedback from trusted advisors, or systematic tracking of satisfaction indicators. The key is to catch misalignment early, before it develops into profound dissatisfaction.

Celebrating Milestones and Progress

Career transitions often involve long timelines and incremental progress that can be difficult to appreciate in the moment. We must deliberately celebrate milestones and acknowledge progress to maintain motivation and perspective during challenging periods.

Recognition of progress reinforces positive behaviors and builds confidence for tackling future challenges. This celebration doesn’t require elaborate gestures—simply acknowledging growth and achievement provides powerful psychological benefits.

How to Escape a Bullshit Job (And Find Something Better)

Getting out of a pointless job doesn’t mean flipping a table and storming out. There are innovative, low-drama ways to move on that don’t ruin your reputation or financial stability. Here’s a clear plan that I’ve seen work for many people, including myself.

1. Get Real With Yourself: Take a brutally honest look at your day-to-day work. Write down the tasks you do, who benefits, and how. Is there any impact you’re proud of? Seeing the reality on paper can light a fire to make a change.
2. Start Learning on the Side: Pick up new skills that line up with jobs you’d actually like to have. Loads of free and cheap resources are available, so check out LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or YouTube. This doesn’t have to eat up all your free time; just one short course can help kick things off. Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are great places to start.
3. Network Quietly: Reach out to old colleagues, friends, or even strangers in roles that seem interesting. Coffee chats or even a few LinkedIn messages can give a sense of what’s possible. People love sharing career stories, and you might learn about roles you never knew existed. For more tips on growing your network, check out The Muse’s networking tips.
4. Put Out Feelers Smartly: Update your resume and LinkedIn. Don’t spell out that you hate your job; focus on your fundamental skills and what you want next. Setting job alerts for fields you care about helps keep you motivated and lets you move quickly when the proper role pops up.
5. Set Your “Exit Budget”: Start squirreling away some savings if you’re able. Even a small cushion makes it easier to jump when you find a better fit.

Additionally, speak with individuals who have undergone significant career changes. Their perspective can provide reassurance, hints, and confidence as you plot your own next move. Sometimes, the stories you hear might even introduce you to industries or options you’d never have considered before.

Common Hurdles When Leaving a Bullshit Job

Leaving any job can feel risky, but these are the roadblocks that trip up most people looking for a way out, and how to work around them.

• Fear of the Unknown: Not knowing what comes next is scary, but being stuck long-term is more frightening. Try taking one small action each week, such as sending a networking message or applying for a single job, to build your courage.
• Lack of Confidence: Bullshit jobs sap your self-belief. Remind yourself of your wins—even small ones. Past coworkers or bosses can sometimes provide a good referral or reference, even if you don’t love the job itself.
• Financial Stress: If you really can’t quit until you’ve lined something else up, focus your energy on job searching after hours rather than doomscrolling or venting about work.
• “Maybe It Will Get Better” Trap: If nothing changes after several months (even after you ask for new projects or training), it probably won’t. Waiting for magic rarely works.

Pacing Your Exit

Not everyone can quit overnight. Give yourself a realistic timeline. Many people take three to six months to find a new, better-fitting job. In the short term, look for stuff you can do outside work—maybe a hobby, volunteer role, or side gig—to fill your days with something you care about. It keeps your spirits up while also expanding your network. Picking up new skills or volunteering can actually help you spot the types of work environments and cultures that genuinely work for you, not just any job that pays the bills. Getting involved in professional associations or taking on small freelance gigs also opens up more doors than you’d think.

Creating Opportunity From a Dead-End Job

Even a bullshit job can give you talking points for your next interview. Focus on transferable skills like project management, communication, or learning new tools. If you can, volunteer for a special project at work or outside, even if it’s totally different from your daily grind. Recruiters love to see initiative, especially in people trying to make a change.

If your role is particularly unchallenging, use your extra mental energy to study industry trends or take on small personal projects that build your resume. Sometimes, even organizing a team event or training session can be spun as valuable experience when applying for a new position.

Small Steps to Better Work (And a Better You)

No one deserves to feel like their work time is totally wasted. Life’s too short for jobs that destroy your energy or leave you with nothing to show at the end of the day. Spotting the warning signs is the first move. After that, it’s all about taking practical steps, however small, to build a path out. Other people have escaped, and with the right plan, you can too. Even if quitting right now isn’t possible, you don’t have to settle for spending years in a job that drags you down.

Curious about more ways to take charge of your career? Try learning new skills, networking with people who excite you, and making a list of what you’d actually want from your next role. A little action every week adds up way faster than you might guess. The right fit for you is out there, and moving toward it—even slowly—makes work and life feel a whole lot better. Remember: every small step forward is progress, and although the process may feel overwhelming, thousands of people have successfully transitioned into new careers. You can too.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Professional Life

Workplace unhappiness isn’t a personal failing or an inevitable aspect of professional life—it’s a signal that alignment between our authentic selves and our work environment needs attention. We have more control over our career satisfaction than we often realize, but exercising this control requires courage, planning, and persistent effort.

The journey from workplace misery to professional fulfillment isn’t always linear or straightforward, but it’s absolutely achievable for anyone willing to invest in themselves and take strategic action. By understanding the root causes of our dissatisfaction, developing clear goals aligned with our values, and systematically building the capabilities needed to achieve those goals, we can create careers that energize rather than drain us.

Remember that career satisfaction is not a destination but an ongoing process of alignment, growth, and adaptation. The skills and strategies outlined in this guide provide a framework for continuous career development and satisfaction, ensuring that our professional lives support and enhance our broader life goals.

The time to start this transformation is now. Every day we delay addressing workplace unhappiness is a day we sacrifice to a future that could be significantly brighter. We owe it to ourselves and those who depend on us to pursue work that honors our potential and contributes meaningfully to the world around us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few things people ask when thinking about leaving a job that doesn’t feel worth it.

Question: How do I talk about a bullshit job in interviews?
Answer: Focus on what you learned and how you made the best of it. Avoid trashing your current role or company; instead, steer the conversation toward what you want to do next and the skills you want to utilize.

Question: What if all jobs are basically bullshit?
Answer: All jobs have dull days or annoying tasks, but truly pointless work is a different level. Most rewarding jobs let you see a purpose and growth, even if parts of them are boring. If you find work helping a project, cause, or goal you care about, it rarely feels pointless.

Question: I need the paycheck but hate the job. What’s realistic?
Answer: Lots of people stay in jobs they dislike for financial reasons. If quitting isn’t realistic, use the job as a stepping stone while building a real plan to get out. Just having a plan can improve your mood and give you hope.