August 11, 2025

When Looking for a Job Feels Like Climbing a Mountain

It’s been two months since I quit my job, and honestly, it feels like I’ve been holding my breath ever since. I thought the hard part would be walking away. I thought once I made the decision, I’d feel relief and freedom. But instead, I’m here, swimming in a pool of “what ifs” with no ladder in sight.

Looking for work when you’re already carrying a bag full of anxiety feels like stepping out into a storm without an umbrella. The world feels bigger, louder, and a lot scarier than I remember.

There’s the fear of the unknown:
What if I never find something better? What if every interview ends in rejection? What if I’ve already messed up my future by quitting without a plan?

There’s the fear of mistakes:
I overthink every word in my resume, every line in a cover letter. I replay imaginary interviews in my head and cringe at answers I haven’t even given yet. My brain keeps whispering, You’re going to say something stupid. They’re going to see right through you.

Then there’s the fear of failure, the kind that makes you freeze. Not just failing at the job search, but failing at life. The thought of being laughed at, or people shaking their heads and saying, I told you so, makes my stomach twist. I already feel the pressure of proving I didn’t make a huge mistake by leaving my old job, and it’s exhausting.

People tell me to “just be confident” or “put myself out there,” but confidence feels like a foreign language right now. Every step toward applying feels like climbing a mountain barefoot, unsure if the ground will hold or if I’m about to slip.

The truth is, the job hunt isn’t just about finding work. It’s about battling your own mind. It’s about trying to believe you’re capable when the world feels like it’s watching and waiting for you to trip.

I don’t have all the answers yet. I’m still in the messy middle. But I do know this: I’m not the only one who feels this way, and maybe you’re here reading this because you’re in the same storm. If so, maybe we can take a step together, even if it’s a shaky one. Because the only way out of fear is through it.