Why 2024 is the year of the gremlin
“You’re not good enough. Don’t say that. Nobody wants to hear what you have to say.” These are just some of the whispers my “gremlin” has fed me this year. Do any of these sound familiar?
A year of unforeseen challenges
2024 has been a peculiar year. It didn’t exactly kick off as I intended. Instead, it felt like the rug was pulled out from under my feet. And, like many others, I’m now navigating a brutal job market, feeling the squeeze, and battling through a seemingly endless maze in search of opportunities that feel just out of reach.
On top of everything else, this year has been marked by large-scale change. We’ve ushered in new leaders, experienced major economic shifts, and endured a cascade of disruptions. While only time will reveal whether these changes lead to better days, I’ve begun to wonder if the pressure and uncertainty of it all have created the perfect environment for the gremlin to thrive.
Meet the gremlin: The inner critic we all know
In coaching, we often refer to the gremlin as our inner critic, the persistent voice that shadows us. We all have one. The gremlin aims to keep us safe, but it often holds us back in the process. Naming and taming this gremlin is an essential part of coaching; it’s about learning to work with it rather than against it. But this year, I’ve felt the gremlin’s voice louder than ever.
The tricks I usually lean on to keep my gremlin in check, they just haven’t cut it lately. Every day feels like an uphill battle—not only to keep going but also to find meaningful work in a strange, relentless job market. Job-hunting tactics that might have worked a few years ago just aren’t effective anymore, and many of us are feeling isolated as we adapt to this new normal.
A breeding ground for the gremlin
The current environment has become the ideal breeding ground for the gremlin. Automated rejections, ghosting, and a lack of real human connection in recruitment processes chip away at our confidence. It’s easy to start questioning your worth and capabilities, even when you know you’re more than qualified.
Friends and family reassure me, “It’s not you; it’s the market. The right job is just around the corner.” But after hearing that so many times, you start to wonder—how many corners must I turn? How many rejections must I face before I find that one “yes”? How many times must I put myself out there, only to be ghosted before someone finally recognises what I bring to the table?
The gremlin’s hold
These constant setbacks feed the gremlin. It promises to keep me safe but really just holds me back. It wants me to stop trying, to avoid more pain and disappointment. And while it comes from a place of protection, it ultimately stops me from moving forward and finding the change I’m seeking.
It’s exhausting, frustrating, and often disheartening. Like so many others, I’ve experienced the emotional rollercoaster: joy when things progress, frustration when they don’t, anger at having to start over, and annoyance with a system that often feels broken.
So, what can we do? Sit in self-pity, or keep pushing forward?
Taking a step back
To bring my gremlin back under control, I had to take a step back. I threw in the towel—quietly stepping away from certain communities, pausing my job search, and giving myself space to breathe. Stress was taking a toll, and I realised I couldn’t keep pushing against forces beyond my control. I meditated, I cried, I journaled, and, most importantly, I focused on what genuinely excites me. It’s scary, but I needed to let go for the sake of my personal health and well-being.
If you’re reading this and feel similarly overwhelmed, please remember to look after yourself. You matter. You’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough. Don’t give your gremlin the upper hand. You may not be able to silence it completely, but you can control how you respond to it.
The year of the gremlin: Let’s not let it win
So, in this year of the gremlin, let’s make a pact—not to let it win. Keep doing the things that make you feel alive, even if they scare you. Take small steps toward what excites you and brings you joy. In a time when so much feels beyond our control, focusing on our own well-being is the one thing we can manage.
If you want to explore your gremlin and learn how to work with it, reach out and let’s get your bounce back.
