Actor Emily Blunt was recently asked for advice for young women who hate their jobs. Her response – to quit and pursue what you want or love to do, even if it earns no money – generated polarised reactions.

Many people bristled at the financial impossibility of following this advice. Others rightly pointed out that this question is too complex to be answered in a brief interview reply.

At any stage of your career, it can be challenging to know why, when and how to quit. These decisions are especially tough when considering leaving your first “real” job. You’ve never made the leap, and the stakes can be high.

Thankfully, there are signposts that can help. These come in the form of jolts: events that cause us to stop and rethink our relationship with work. As an organisational psychologist, I’ve spent the past 15 years studying how people quit their jobs, including the jolts that lead them to look for the exit door.

No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

Read more from Quarter Life:

Gen Z is burning out at work more than any other generation — here’s why and what can be done

Gen Z is burning out at work more than any other generation — here’s why and what can be done

Are you a Dink, Alice or Henry? How social mobility is different for today’s young people

Are you a Dink, Alice or Henry? How social mobility........

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