Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

news.ycombinator.com

11–20 of 45 posts

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#11
I've been feeling similarly lately. I guess it's burnout? I'm not sure.

Do you feel challenged at all by your current work? I feel like that's a big piece of it for me. Not necessarily the overall mission but just the moment-to-moment I've done basically the same thing a thousand times before.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#13
I think that is how it is for most software developers. Instead of dwelling on the unfulfilling aspects of your job, concentrate on your blessings, that you have a very in-demand and high paying job that requires very little effort to perform on your part.

Use your available mind power to work on your own projects on the side. So many people in the world don't have the opportunity that you do.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#14
post #7
post #4

> It is about the meaning of work at all. The point of it. Why it exists at all. Because someone finds value in the work you do.

but I don't find it valuable for myself. At all. I feel completely empty.

You are focusing on the wrong things. You are so lucky to feel "empty". If you take some time to think about how hard people work just for a pittance, how they work physically demanding and mentally-stressing jobs that pay little to nothing, you can't help but be grateful for your situation.

And with the inevitable AI revolution just around the corner, many non-tech jobs (mostly all) will be obsolete. You will still have a job.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#16
Maybe you're burned out. Maybe you're just bored. Maybe it's time to step up to something bigger than what you're doing. You may need to switch jobs for that, but maybe a first step is to go to your boss/manager/supervisor and say that you feel like you could be doing more than you are, and ask if they've got anything harder for you to work on.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#19
post #7
post #4

> It is about the meaning of work at all. The point of it. Why it exists at all. Because someone finds value in the work you do.

but I don't find it valuable for myself. At all. I feel completely empty.

You need to find meaning in your life. For many people the work and the paycheck are a means to an end, not an end unto itself.

Re: Ask HN: I don't want to work anymore

#20
post #12

Other than work, are you happy with your life? From personal experience and that of close friends if work was fine before usually there is something bigger going on.

Of course not. I wish I was. It my personal life that it is lacking meaning. No real friendships, I work remotely, I barely talk with people in months.

That being said, I strongly believe a meaningful work supplant this somehow. Yeah, maybe I am too pretentious or just trying to cover the sun with two fingers.

Post reply on HN