Sometimes, the decision to change careers feels crystal clear. A layoff happens. The company goes out of business. A move to a new city or state. A line gets drawn in the sand, and you know it’s time to move on. But more often, the signs are quieter…the subtle whispers rather than shouts. And they often show up first in your body long before they reach your resume or LinkedIn profile.

If you’ve ever felt that gnawing Sunday night stomachache – the kind that signals the end of the weekend and the return to a job that drains rather than inspires you, you’re not alone. That physical tension is one of the clearest signals that something may be off, not just with your work, but with your overall well-being. And it may be time to take a deeper look.

A career reboot (transition, pivot, etc.) isn’t about being impulsive; it’s about listening. To your gut. To your energy. To your restlessness. And then, with intention, beginning to explore what might be next.

Here are some signs that your health and your heart might be calling for change:

You feel the pit in your stomach every Sunday night. That low-grade dread creeping in before the workweek begins is not just psychological, it’s physiological. Your body is alerting you to something your conscious mind may still be trying to ignore. Over time, that chronic stress can take a toll on your sleep, digestion and emotional resilience. It might be time to ask: Is this job costing me more than it’s giving me?

You’re constantly tired even when you’re well-rested. If weekends, vacations and good sleep no longer recharge you, your exhaustion may not be physical. It could be burnout. A career that once energized you may no longer be aligned with your values or your current season of life. Ask yourself: What energizes me? When do I feel like I am in “the zone?” When do I feel most like myself?

You’ve stopped caring and started numbing. Letting emails pile up. Ignoring your calendar. Reaching for your phone, snacks or distractions to get through the day. These behaviors aren’t laziness; they’re signals that your motivation has eroded. What once felt meaningful now feels mechanical. It may be time to reconnect with your “why.”

You’re no longer growing. If your last big professional stretch was years ago and you’re not being invited to stretch again, it might be time to consider whether your current role is helping or hindering your growth. Stagnation isn’t neutral; it slowly chips away at your confidence, and having confidence is key to a successful job search.

You’ve had ‘that feeling’ for a while now. You know the one. A quiet voice that wonders, is this all there is? That persistent feeling that something’s off, not broken, necessarily, but not right either. That feeling is not something to brush aside, but an invitation to be curious about what could be better, healthier, or more aligned.

Now what?If you recognize yourself in any of these signs, don’t panic, but don’t go on autopilot either. This might be your body’s way of asking for something more life-giving. You don’t need to leap before you’re ready, but you do need to listen.

Try this:

Journal about what’s draining you and what’s giving you energy.
Reflect on your proudest moments last year. What made them special?
Take a walk (literally) to move the question from your head into your body.
Talk about it with a trusted friend, a coach or a mentor.

You might just be stuck and need some help getting back on the right track. Remember, you don’t have to wait for everything to fall apart before you make a change. Small changes to your awareness, intentionality and actions can make a big difference towards finding your next great role.

I love and share this quote with my coaching clients often. It is by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: “Move toward the next thing, not away from the last thing. Same direction. Completely different energy.”

Remember, a career reboot isn’t about throwing everything away. It’s about finding your way to work that energizes and inspires you to be the best version of yourself in this new chapter.

Christine Carter is a career consultant with LHH Career Transition & Mobility and has her own private career coaching practice. She is the author of Restart Strong – A Career Transition Guide and can be reached at chris@startstronglife.com. For a free Career Clarity Worksheet or to learn more, visit www.startstronglife.com.