How to get out of a toxic job in 4 steps (and why it starts in your body)
Why are you still in that job?
There could be many reasons. But one thing is for sure: you already know you’re no longer satisfied. You wonder though, what to do next, but it’s not like you have any idea of what you want exactly.
My point of view might surprise you: your exit plan doesn’t start with a perfect idea. It starts with “working out”.
Here are the 4 steps:
Do yoga! So you can slowly start listening to your body’s wisdom.
Start questioning things to deeply understand who you truly are.
Own it: might it be your opinion or your accent.
Plan your way out.
Now let’s go deeper on step 1, because this is what most people aren’t aware of.
Step 1 — When your body is in survival mode, your brain can’t “choose”
When you’re living in survival mode, you don’t have access to your best ideas. You have access to coping. You’re functioning, performing, delivering… while a part of you is numb, on autopilot, or “not really there”. You keep asking: “What should I do next?” …but you can’t feel what’s right. Not because you’re incapable. Because your nervous system has one mission: stay safe today.
Signs you might be dissociating (without realizing it)
You feel numb, flat, or “robot mode” Monday to Friday
You scroll / overeat / overwork to shut your brain off
You can’t access desire (“I don’t know what I want”)
Your body is sending signals: tight chest, stomach knots, jaw clenching, headaches, poor sleep
And here’s the key: you don’t think your way out of dissociation.
The goal isn’t fitness. It’s reconnection.
Before you plan your exit, you need to rebuild your ability to hear yourself.
Try this for 7 days:
Notice what gives you energy and what takes energy out of you
15 minutes of movement daily (walk, yoga, stretching—anything consistent)
One micro-boundary: one small “no” to things that are draining you
If you want to finally listen to your body and get out of that toxic job, I offer a free 30-minute diagnostic call. Click the button below.