If your environment and workplace are toxic, you might feel like something is wrong with you.

I know I did.

It took me a while to realize that I had to change the external environment, instead of trying to fit myself into a box that was just—well—too small for me.

And trust me, I totally believe in self-work.

No environment is perfect. At every job, you’ll need to adapt a bit, stretch, and grow.

But you shouldn’t consistently feel down.

You shouldn’t feel like something is wrong with you every single day.

So, how do you know if your workplace might actually be the problem?

Here are a few signs to pay attention to:

1. Your body will tell you

You might start having more emotional reactions than usual.

For example, I remember feeling so much pressure at one job that I’d go to the bathroom just to breathe.

I’d sit there quietly with tears in my eyes. Not because of anything that had just happened—but because my body was trying to tell me something wasn’t right.

You might not even be able to name what’s wrong.

But your nervous system knows.

And it’s asking you to listen.

2. Your health will begin to suffer

This is the ultimate burnout recipe.

Sometimes your environment is toxic simply because you’re overworking.

Other times, it’s your manager. Or the pace of the projects. Or the pressure of feeling like you can’t ever stop.

You might be:

• Working 12-hour days nonstop
• Not having time to eat lunch
• Forgetting to stand or stretch for more than five minutes in 8+ hours

It sounds horrible, right?

But I know way too many people—especially in tech—who live this way every single day.

All of this can take a serious toll.

Over time, it wears down your body, your sleep, your mood, and your ability to show up fully in any area of your life.

3. You’re not as excited or productive

There are two things that usually happen when the environment is toxic or you’re approaching burnout:

• First, the things you used to love just don’t feel exciting anymore.

👉🏽 You might have loved your role once. Or felt energized by your projects. But now you feel disconnected or flat.

• Second, it might take a lot of convincing just to get started on simple tasks.

👉🏽 You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated.

You’re just not in the right environment to thrive.

This isn’t a reflection of your career path.

It might just be your body and mind telling you something needs to shift.

4. You feel small, stuck, or helpless

This usually happens when you don’t feel valued—or when you don’t feel like you can be your authentic self.

Instead of being in a state of flow—where you open doors, feel accomplished, and cheer yourself on—you start to shut down.

You might:

• Hold back your voice
• Keep your ideas to yourself
• Dull your own light so you don’t make waves

It’s hard to grow when you’re constantly shrinking.

It’s hard to feel joy when you feel like you’re just trying to survive the day.

5. Everyone is different—and that matters

Lastly, remember: everyone is different.

An environment that you might find draining, your coworker might be thriving in.

You might feel more at home in a smaller company—or working for yourself.

Someone else might feel most secure in a structured 9-to-5 supporting the CEO.

Just because everyone else appears to be happy, doesn’t mean the workplace isn’t toxic for you.

And you shouldn’t feel shame for how you’re feeling or reacting.

The point is: you don’t need to twist yourself into someone you’re not just to make it work.

What to do if this is you

I want you to know that things can be okay.

It is possible to find a work situation where you don’t just fit in—but where you thrive.

If any of this sounds like you, please don’t give up hope.

I’ve been there. I’ve ridden the roller coaster of ups and downs.

And I want to help you find your way out.

In the next post, I’ll share some real strategies you can use if you find yourself in a toxic work situation—whether that means recovering from burnout, advocating for change, or starting to imagine what else is possible.

Not going to lie—recording the video for this one made me a tad emotional.

Because I know how hard it can be to keep going when work feels like too much.

Stay well. You mean a lot to me.

If this resonated, send it to someone else who might need it too.

I’ll walk you through healing from burnout and figuring out your next steps—without shame, pressure, or panic.