The truth is that so many people work in unloved jobs and do not use their abilities to the full, and stay in them longer than they should because they have become self-sufficient, reconciled to the situation, and afraid of change. It affects more than just the professional side of life. Spending eight hours every day in a place where you are not feeling well and doing work that does not fill you, it is not possible to leave these feelings alone at work. Unhappy people come home and "flood" families with their frustrations, which are almost impossible to avoid. It could also be that you don't quite hate your job, but there is something you would rather do, or you want to occupy a position that allows you to sit less, meet more people, or work more with your hands. In either case, you may recognize yourself as having a job.
LOYALTY HAS ITS LIMITS
You have been working for your company for years, maybe even this was your first job after graduating from school, and over the years you have become an integral part of the company. It's beautiful and romantic, and so, but it's time to evaluate whether this long-term relationship is good for you. Do you often receive a financial evaluation of your success? Have you received a pay rise at all? Many companies, especially large ones, take advantage of this situation, realizing that the employee will not disappear anywhere and will not leave them. There is even a possibility that they will refuse to promote you, on the grounds that you are a great specialist and you need them exactly where you are.
Remember, this is your employer, not your spouse. You don't have to feel guilty about wanting to go or looking for other options. Maybe you think you are irreplaceable and all the work and processes will be completely paralyzed if you leave. It can actually happen, but it's their problem, not your problem. If you are really that important, they will do more to keep you. However, to be honest, there are a lot of people looking for work, and management is unlikely to have much trouble finding a replacement for you.
YOU DO NOT GET NEWER
At every step, there are examples of people graduating from university, finding a completely unrelated job to earn something, and staying there. Even worse, if in six or seven years they are not even interested in promotion to a position in the same job just because they do not want to be "tied" to the company. If you do not use your abilities and knowledge for a while, they will shrink rapidly. Or worse, your knowledge will become obsolete if it is not renewed and used! Employers notice this perfectly, and if you want to relate your future to what you did "sometime before", you don't help yourself at all by continuing to wait for the "right moment"!
Independent and academic projects should be included in your CV without any worries if you lack experience related to your dream job in your current job, but only (!) If this experience is recent - five years is the limit. Otherwise, you risk giving the impression that you are lying on your laurels and living in the past instead of looking for new opportunities. If you haven't used any of your abilities for a long time, find a way to restart it, but ...
... BE REALISTIC!
It is great to quit your job and follow your call. Another thing is to quit work to fulfill a dream that is far from achievable. For example, if you are a data entry operator and want to become an airplane pilot but have never flown ... Think again. Fortunately, there are other ways to gain new experience, even if you have not studied for a long time. If you want to become an actor, join a local theater group or improvisational theater. If you want to become an IT specialist, get some certificates (you can do it without even leaving the computer), and start with small "halts". Of course, it will take some time for your experience to become significant, but it will also be time to understand if you really want to do it.
PLAN "B"
As tempting as it may be, by no means break into the boss's office with resignation as soon as the idea arises. Talk to your family, plan a couple of realistic goals for a short period of time: set a date in the near future, from three months to the year you actually resign, without any "if", "but", "maybe" ("if I start pay more "..). Plan how long it will take you to gain the necessary certifications, experience and update your skills. Then choose a date a few months later to submit your resignation and stick to it.
Another tip - start sending applications to the desired jobs about two to three months before the scheduled departure date. Many companies announce a vacancy well in advance of the planned hiring. Also apply for some positions that you think you are not quite suitable for - you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you are appreciated by people who do not know you.
Nice one