Are Toxic Workplaces Draining Your Happiness? How To Reclaim Your Purpose

Progress is not linear

Janice Eastman
5 min readApr 18

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A sign read, “What can you do today that you couldn’t to a year ago?”
Photo by Miquel Parera on Unsplash

Have you ever worked for a company where you dreaded going to work every day?

I have.

I remember one job in particular where I would sit in the parking lot, trying to find the strength to walk inside the building. It wasn’t a reflection of the job itself but rather the toxic culture that had taken hold.

Toxic workplaces are a common issue among employees, but they are often swept under the rug.

I experienced this firsthand in my previous job, where my boss routinely belittled and criticized me in front of my coworkers.

It was a demoralizing experience, leaving a lasting impact on my mental health. I knew I needed to find a way to reclaim my purpose and find a new direction.

But how do you do that? When you’ve dedicated your skills, time, and energy for 20+ years.

How do you reclaim your purpose when you feel you’ve lost it?

Have you ever felt like you were being slowly drained, like a battery losing its charge?

That’s what a toxic workplace can do to you — sucking the joy and passion from your life until you’re left feeling like a shell of your former self.

Working in such an environment long-term can severely affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Some common signs of a toxic workplace include high-stress levels, interpersonal conflict, and a culture of fear and intimidation.

Unfortunately, many people feel that leaving their job is not an option and suffer in silence.

However, there are steps you can take to reclaim your purpose and create a happier, healthier work environment.

Here are a few ways to regain control of your happiness and reconnect with your purpose in the workplace, despite the negativity of a toxic culture.

1. Professional Development

One strategy is to seek out opportunities for professional development and growth that align with your career goals.

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Janice Eastman

From reading my writing, I hope you will begin to break down self-imposed barriers and find your authentic self in the extraordinary story of life.