If you are following the "common" advice (e.g. you should be grateful), then you should also consider that part of that advice particularly "in this economic climate" is that it is easier to get another job when/while you are already employed. Some companies (although I'm not arguing that they are necessarily the ones you want to work for) are actively screening out applications from unemployed persons.
If you want another job, find it if you can while you are still employed.
If you are looking to make a larger change, save up. Your living expenses may well increase while you are unemployed, for example due to paying for your own health insurance (in the U.S., you will likely be eligible for limited duration continuation under COBRA, but you will have to pay the entire cost of that insurance out of pocket).
As for the staying in unhappy circumstances: Trust your intuition as to whether the "balance" is acceptable. If not, don't stay too long -- take it from someone who did. It becomes self-destructive (passively, if not actively), even with the best of intentions.
There's difficult, and then there's pointlessly, going nowhere difficult. The two are different.
You want some upside, whether it's in the job itself, and/or in your personal life. And even if the job's good, don't forgo a personal life (in my opinion).
If you want another job, find it if you can while you are still employed.
If you are looking to make a larger change, save up. Your living expenses may well increase while you are unemployed, for example due to paying for your own health insurance (in the U.S., you will likely be eligible for limited duration continuation under COBRA, but you will have to pay the entire cost of that insurance out of pocket).
As for the staying in unhappy circumstances: Trust your intuition as to whether the "balance" is acceptable. If not, don't stay too long -- take it from someone who did. It becomes self-destructive (passively, if not actively), even with the best of intentions.
There's difficult, and then there's pointlessly, going nowhere difficult. The two are different.
You want some upside, whether it's in the job itself, and/or in your personal life. And even if the job's good, don't forgo a personal life (in my opinion).