That’s Just How It Is” Isn’t a Good Enough Reason Anymore

“You should be grateful you even have a job.”

“He’s just like that — don’t take it personally.”

“It’s not toxic. It’s just high-pressure.”

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever been told to “suck it up” when your job clearly feels off, you’re not alone. So many of us — especially early in our careers, normalise stuff we shouldn’t. Because everyone else seems to be doing it. Because we’re scared to speak up. Or worse — because we don’t even realise it’s a problem.

But not calling out these red flags? That’s how burnout starts. That’s how imposter syndrome grows. That’s how you land up five years into a career you hate, wondering how it got this bad.

Let’s break that cycle.

via GIPHY

No Boundaries = Big Problem

“Can you hop on a quick call at 10:30 PM?”

If your manager thinks “flexible hours” means they can ping you 24/7 — that’s not flexibility. That’s boundaryless chaos.

Real flexibility respects your time. If your workday bleeds into your dinner, your gym, your sleep — you’re not slacking, you’re surviving.

via GIPHY

Praise ≠ Pay

“You’re doing amazing work — we couldn’t have done this without you!”

And yet… no raise, no title change, not even a coffee voucher?

Recognition without reward is lip service. It’s manipulation dressed up as flattery.

Appreciation is great. But it should come with progress. Or at least a plan for it.

via GIPHY

Micromanagement Isn’t Mentorship

If every task you do is being watched, edited, or questioned — you’re not being “guided.” You’re being controlled.

Mentorship helps you grow. Micromanagement stunts your growth.

If your confidence is shrinking with every review call, it’s a red flag. Period.

via GIPHY

“That’s Just Our Culture” Isn’t an Excuse

If casual sexism, office gossip, or chronic overworking is brushed off as “just the vibe here” — it’s not culture. It’s dysfunction.

You don’t have to become part of the chaos to survive it. You’re allowed to want better — and ask for it.

If You’re Anxious Every Sunday Night…

It’s not “just Sunday scaries.” It’s your nervous system waving a red flag.

Work shouldn’t feel like something you need to recover from every weekend. Stress is normal sometimes — dread is not.

If your job makes you feel stuck, small, or sick — it’s okay to question it. It’s okay to want more.

via GIPHY

So What Can You Do?

You don’t have to quit tomorrow. You don’t have to rage-post on LinkedIn. But you do need clarity.

Ask yourself:

• Am I growing here, or just surviving?

• Are my values aligned with this company?

• Is this discomfort temporary — or systemic?

If you don’t know the answers, that’s okay. That’s where we come in.

Enter: Mentoria Connect

Our AI chatbot, MOJO helps you reflect — not just on your career goals, but how your current workplace is affecting your mental and emotional well-being.

Once you’ve got a little clarity, you can book a mentor who’s been where you are. Someone who’ll listen without judgment and help you figure out your options — whether that’s setting boundaries, negotiating change, or planning an exit.

Because just surviving your job isn’t the goal. Thriving in it is.

Red flags don’t get less red just because you ignore them.
Talk about them. Question them. Get help.
Mentoria Connect gives you both insight and support. Use it.