There are some days that are more difficult than others. You wake up to your blaring alarm signaling the start of another day that you need to drag yourself, unenthusiastically, into the office. At least, that’s the case if you want a paycheck to use toward rent and not starving. But even worse are the days when you’re not so sure being able to afford groceries is worth it and you consider throwing your alarm across the room. We all have mornings or days or weeks when we hate the thought of going to work. It may be a difficult project you’re not looking forward to working on or a meeting you’ve been hoping to avoid. However, you have more good days than bad and, for the most part, you genuinely enjoy what you do. You assume you’re going through a rough patch and you’ll get back on track with your career eventually. But what if you don’t? When should you start seriously considering a career change?

There’s no potential for growth or mobility.
If you’re ambitious, sticking it out at a job you know is going nowhere (for you) is a waste of time after a certain point. If you’ve done your due diligence, worked hard, and spoken with your managers about moving up and still haven’t gotten traction, it may be time to consider a change.

You know it’s not your end goal.
Even if you’re not quite sure what you want to be when “you grow up,” you probably have some idea. Whether it’s something practical or something aspirational, you know it’s the path for you. When you’ve finally finished the education you needed for your dream career or gotten the certifications required, it might be time to consider finding a company you’d like to work with.

You hate going to work every single day.
As mentioned earlier, you’re going to have off days, maybe even off months when you hate work. But if the thought of going to work makes you panic, if you feel uncomfortable in your office or like you don’t belong, or you stress about going back after a long weekend, you should consider a change. You don’t have to love your job, but the thought of going to work shouldn’t make you sick.

If you’ve thought it over and you really feel like you would do better elsewhere, it’s perfectly normal to start searching for a position or company that will make you happier. People change careers all of the time. If it’s the right move for you, go for it! One piece of advice: try not to leave your old job before you secure a new one. Then, give a reasonable amount of notice so you don’t burn bridges.