Clocking In, But Checked Out
Let’s be real: you don’t love your job. You barely like it. Some days, you wake up, stare at the ceiling, and seriously consider if your ancestors would be proud of your current life choices. But before you start blaming the government, your boss, or the mysterious HR lady who only emails you about compliance training, let’s dig into the real reasons why you’re a sad employee.
Remember when you were 17 and had dreams of becoming a world-class chef, an artist, or maybe a professional dog whisperer? Yeah, those dreams got crashed the second someone (probably an uncle) told you to “study something that pays the bills.” So now, you’re sitting at a desk, drowning in spreadsheets, wondering if this is all life has to offer. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
You know those sitcoms where the same things happen over and over again? That’s your job. Same emails, same pointless meetings, same office gossip about whether Mike from accounting is getting fired. The only plot twist is whether or not the coffee machine works.
Your boss keeps telling you, “This is a great opportunity to grow.” But somehow, your paycheck hasn’t grown since you started. Instead, you get an extra workload, vague promises of promotions, and an invitation to the office’s “pizza party”
You used to have hobbies—things that made you feel alive. Now, after work, all you have the energy for is doom-scrolling and wondering what would happen if you just quit and became a goat farmer. Passion dies when it’s ignored, and your 9-to-5 is slowly suffocating yours.
The biggest reason you’re a sad employee? You’ve convinced yourself that this is normal. That work isn’t supposed to be fun or fulfilling, just something you endure until retirement. But newsflash: work doesn’t have to feel like a prison sentence.
So, what Now?...Stop settling, figure out what actually excites you, and start making small moves toward it.
No one’s saying quit tomorrow, but start gaining skills that open new doors. It’s never going to magically appear. Just start. If they’re underpaying you or undervaluing you, have the conversation. If nothing changes, know your worth and find better.
Listen up, my keyboard smashing, soul-drained office zombie—life’s too short to be tragically attached to a cubicle!
Do something about it before your future self regrets the time wasted.