10 Reasons You Don’t Want to Work (Plus, What to Do About It)

• Not wanting to work is a normal feeling and often stems from burnout, lack of support, or a loss of interest.
• You may not want to work because you’re tired of doing the same thing over and over again.
• Motivate yourself to work (even when you’re not feeling it) by taking breaks and rewarding yourself.

Why don’t I want to work?

You may not want to work because you’re drained mentally or physically. It’s completely normal to not be in the mood to work every now and then. Sometimes, you wake up and just want to stay in bed—we get it! But if you constantly feel unmotivated and dread going to work, it may indicate an underlying problem. More often than not, people don’t want to work because of burnout, lack of interest, or fatigue over the same routine.

Reasons Why You Don’t Want to Work (& How to Motivate Yourself)

You don’t feel well. The thought of skipping work often comes from not feeling physically or mentally well. Maybe you’ve come down with a cold or woke up super sad. Either way, thinking, “I don’t want to work today,” may be a sign to take the day off to recuperate. Take a moment to consider if it’s a good idea for you to go to work or not. For instance, if you have a viral infection, it may be best to call in sick so you don’t spread the illness around the office. If you wake up feeling off from a bad dream, you may be able to push through. Listen to your body and do what’s best for you.

You’re burnt out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by your job, it may be because you’re experiencing burnout. Burnout can lead to a dread of clocking in, dissatisfaction at work, headaches, and lack of focus. Overcome burnout by making time for breaks. You don’t have to work 24/7 to succeed at your job. A 5-minute break now and then can keep you focused and efficient. Practice mindfulness to stay present and avoid burnout. This can be as simple as taking a distraction-free walk on your lunch break or doing deep breathing exercises when you’re stressed. Talk to a therapist if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your job. Sometimes, all you need to do is let out all those frustrations.

You’re not enjoying your job. One of the leading causes of not wanting to work is because you’re not having fun. Perhaps you’ve been working in this particular field for a while now, but you’re growing bored and actively finding ways to avoid the job. In other words, what used to be fun isn’t anymore. Give yourself rewards for workplace accomplishments to push through the day and make work more enjoyable. For example, if you turn paperwork in on time, treat yourself to a coffee at lunch or purchase movie tickets for later. Decorate your workspace to create an inviting and enjoyable environment. For instance, you can hang up pictures of you and your friends or pets, or buy a plant to put on your desk. Start the day with a playlist full of upbeat music to put you in a good mood. Then, whenever you start to feel bored at work, put on headphones and jam out (respectfully, of course).

You’re struggling mentally. Mental health is crucial in and out of the workplace. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or emotionally exhausted, the last thing you want to do is work. In other words, if your mental health is suffering, so does your motivation. Use PTO to take some time off or ask your boss for a mental health day. Sometimes, a little vacation is all you need to reset. Talk to a therapist if you feel extremely stressed, anxious, or depressed. You don’t have to go through this alone; they can provide personalized care to help you reach your goals.

You’re not interested in your job. Doing the same thing over and over again can get boring. If you feel trapped in your job, it may be because you no longer see its joy or purpose. Basically, you’ve lost interest and would rather be doing other things. Think about exploring different career paths if you’re unsatisfied with your current job. The skills you use now could benefit you in a job you’re more interested in.

You don’t feel supported. If your coworkers or loved ones don’t believe in you, it can be difficult to find motivation to work. Perhaps your workplace environment is toxic, or you can’t find childcare. Either way, not feeling supported can drain your energy and make working that much harder. If you feel unsupported by your colleagues, take a moment to ask yourself, “Why?” Identify where there’s a lack of communication or misinformation to then express your concerns with your boss later. If you feel unsupported by loved ones, have a heart-to-heart with them (as long as it’s safe to do so). Open up about how work makes you feel or how a little extra help could help.

You feel underappreciated. If your work isn’t appreciated or validated, it can be even harder to keep it up. Everyone deserves praise—even you! Not being recognized by your boss or colleagues can put a damper on your motivation and leave you with a “What does it matter?” mentality. Schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your work ethic and progress. Don’t be afraid to “boast” about yourself. Remember, your accomplishments and hard work shouldn’t go unnoticed.

You’re thinking about a career change. More often than not, you may dread going to work if you’ve considered quitting. Perhaps you're being pushed in another direction and are weighing your options. The looming pressure could be causing you to drag your feet. Take a moment to envision your ideal life. Where do you see yourself in 2, 5, and 10 years? Does your current career align with your goals and hopes? If not, perhaps it’s time to make a change (if you can).

You’re questioning your lifestyle. Sometimes, dreading the workday can result from not filling your cup. Maybe you're second-guessing your career path, living situation, or dating life. Either way, wanting to make a lifestyle change could leave you thinking, “I really don’t want to work today.” Try adjusting your daily habits before switching careers or quitting your job. What can you change in your life to make working easier? For instance, if you value me time, try waking up an hour earlier to work out or make a big breakfast before work. Consider switching up your routine every now and then to spice up the daily grind. Try going to a different restaurant every Friday or doing a quick yoga flow during lunch. Adding new things to your routine can keep your life interesting.

You’re more interested in a hobby. Not wanting to work could stem from a hopeful dream. What do you think about most at work? What distracts you? A passion project or hobby constantly on your mind could indicate that you’re leaning towards a new career. Turn your side hustle or passion into a primary source of income by starting a small business. This is a great way to tip your toe in the water to see if it’s something you want to pursue. If you’re not ready to start a new economic endeavor yet, that’s okay! Schedule time to do your hobby or passion project outside of work. This way, you can have something to look forward to when you clock out.

Should I quit my job?

Feeling unfulfilled is a good reason to quit your job and try something new. While this isn’t always an option for everyone, it’s something to consider if it means you’ll be happier. Quitting a job, however, takes a lot of planning and isn’t a decision you should make on a whim. Look at the situation realistically—if you quit your job, do you have a back up plan? How will you earn money? On average, it can take around 5 months to find and land a new job, so you should plan accordingly. If quitting is actively on your mind, upload your resume to job search websites, like Indeed and LinkedIn, to put your name out there. You don’t have to quit your job to look for other opportunities. Whether quitting is or isn’t a feasible option for you, try: Making an exit plan. How will you financially support yourself when you quit? Saving money. What expenses can you cut back on while waiting for a new job? Starting a side hustle. Do you have a hobby or talent you can make money from before getting a new job?

How to Make a Living without Working

Try making passive income if you don’t want to work. Passive income is an effective way to make money without working. Basically, the cash starts coming in without ongoing effort. You start by investing time, money, or resources into something, then sitting back and seeing if your initial investment pays off. To earn passive income, you can: Invest in stocks or real estate. Build assets on digital products, music licensing, or affiliate sales. Share assets on land, home, or transportation rentals.