The constant changes that the world is going through right now have often seen job seekers put health first, both physical and mental when looking for their next job. A positive and supportive environment is highly sought after as employees recognise that being surrounded by supportive people helps them thrive and bring the best version of themselves to work.

As the old saying goes, people often leave jobs not because of low compensation but due to a bad boss or a horrible environment. Many organisations have lost their star employees due to burnout and wanting to seek a place wherein they will be treated better. When placed in a toxic environment, the unfortunate experiences can have lasting effects and may even create trauma in the future. Here are a few ways to overcome the damage from a toxic job and gain back your confidence.

Time Heals All Wounds

Not to sound cliché, but time really does help heal wounds. Don’t set a deadline for yourself to move on, as it is impossible to switch off feelings and erase the past. You must remember that these experiences are in the past. That’s where you should leave them. Learn from them, but don’t let them take over you anymore. Find healthy outlets that could bring you comfort and peace, like taking that much-needed sleep, spending time with loved ones, or investing in hobbies you didn’t get to do while at your previous job. Remember to give yourself time to grieve as you close this chapter in your life and try to paint a picture of what you can look forward to in the next job.

Think About the Good Experiences

Surely not all your experiences are horrible, so it’s beneficial to look back at the good ones. This way, you won’t feel that the time spent there was wasted. You may have met amazing people who eventually became your friends, or it could be the promotion you received for your hard work. Good, positive, and affirming experiences should always outweigh the bad.

Gather All Learnings

You may not have had the most supportive team or may not have been given recognition by your manager but remember that you learned a lot from the role you once had. It would be helpful to create a list of your learnings and skills you adopted while on the job. Some of those skills may be transferrable in your new role. If you’re still searching for the next one, they will help build your resume. Gathering the learnings from the bad experiences may also help you realise what you don’t want in the next organisation you will join.

Mindset is Everything

Suppose you stay in the same mindset while in all that toxicity. It won’t help you move on. Cultivate a positive attitude towards your next journey, and honestly believe that things will get better. Seeing things in a new light could shift your mindset from dwelling on being mistreated at work to starting anew and exploring various opportunities. A positive attitude will help reduce stress, clear your mind for better decision-making, and build resilience. 

Be Thankful

Thank yourself for recognising a dreadful situation that won’t benefit your professional and personal growth. It takes courage and determination to resign. Be grateful to those who gave you a safe space and supported you when you needed it the most. It may be a trusted mentor, a colleague or a family member who’s been with you throughout your journey. 



There won’t be a one-size fits all solution in moving on from a toxic environment or job, but these can help you get started. And when you’re ready for that next journey, we might have a role that would best suit your needs. At FIRESOFT People, we humanise every interaction, and our brilliant consultants will be with you every step of the way. Visit our live jobs here to learn more.