Some people feel they are stuck in a job they don’t love but fear financial instability if they quit. What’s the best psychological approach to making this career decision?

Answered by Dr Rika Rijal, consultant psychiatrist

Many people find themselves stuck in a career that doesn’t fulfill them, yet feel trapped by the fear of financial instability. The internal tug-of-war between security and self-fulfillment is more common than we think. From a psychological standpoint, here are key approaches that can help clarify such a difficult decision.

First, it’s okay to feel conflicted. Wanting stability doesn’t make you risk-averse, and craving purpose doesn’t make you reckless. Validating both desires, financial security and meaningful work, is the first step to clear thinking. Every now and then ask yourself: What truly matters to me? Is it creativity, autonomy, security, contribution, growth? Once you understand your top two to three core values, you can start aligning your work path with them. Career decisions often feel like ‘stay or quit.’ In reality, there are many shades in between shifting to part-time while exploring something new, building a side project or freelancing, and upskilling for a transition without quitting right away

Psychologists call this cognitive flexibility, the ability to see multiple possibilities. It reduces anxiety and opens up realistic options. Picture yourself in five years.

First image: You stayed in the job for security, how does it feel?

Second image: You took the leap toward passion, what’s the emotional tone?

This visualization taps into emotional forecasting and helps you anticipate regret, fulfillment, or relief. Fear of financial instability is real. But fear shrinks when we create a plan. How many months of savings do you need to feel secure? What’s the worst-case scenario, and how would you cope? This helps activate your prefrontal cortex (the most creative part  of the brain) instead of staying stuck in fear-driven survival mode. Talk to a therapist, or trusted mentor–not just to get answers, but to explore your own thinking patterns. Sometimes we need help distinguishing whether our fears are realistic or distorted by anxiety. Choosing a career path isn’t just a professional decision, it’s a deeply personal one. The goal isn’t to eliminate fear but to make a conscious decision with both your head and heart involved.