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You start a new job, join a new team. You tell yourself this is the fresh start you need; the reset that will finally fit who you are. This time, things will be different! But then… a familiar feeling returns. You get uneasy. And soon, you’re back where you started: searching again.

Changing jobs—or even entire careers—can be part of healthy growth. But if you find yourself constantly moving on, not because you’re growing into something, but because you’re trying to escape something, it’s worth pausing to ask: What am I actually running from?

Often, we leave not because we’re finished, but because we never learned how to stay.

Thank U, Next

When you’re always starting a new chapter but never finishing the last one, it’s hard to build anything meaningful or lasting. No matter how much effort you put in, you might end up feeling even more stuck.

That’s because the patterns underneath (how you deal with stress, handle conflict, or decide what’s “enough”) don’t disappear just because you change your LinkedIn headline.
Before you make your next move, take a moment to look back:

• How many jobs have you had in the last 3–5 years?
• How often have you switched industries, roles, or teams?
• What usually drives your decision to leave?

Was it really the job or was it how it made you feel?
Did you leave to grow or to escape?

This isn’t about staying in a job that’s unhealthy or doesn’t fit you. It’s not about “settling.” It’s about understanding why you leave and being more intentional about what you’re looking for next.

Discomfort Isn’t Always a Sign to Go

Sometimes discomfort is a sign that something’s wrong. But other times, it’s the place where growth begins. Next time you feel the urge to run, pause. Instead of asking, “Where should I go next?”, try asking:

• What is this feeling trying to show me?
• What can I learn from staying a little longer?
• How can I grow here before I move on?

Figuring out what you really want doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck. It just means learning the difference between a change you truly need and one you’re making just to run away. Because the goal isn’t just another new beginning. It’s building something you don’t need to run from!