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Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

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Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#11

Post by ecalifornica »

AndrewKemendo wrote: post #9
ultrasounder wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

interesting thought. I have this "side project" that I started working with some ex-colleagues that I could see sprouting some legs. My CA UI(unemployment insurance) benefits could potentially fund this for the time being when I do some soul searching and contemplating.

This is the right answer I think I did this a few years ago after the layoff wave and it was transformative

I agree with Andrew, side projects are a great way to rediscover joy. From my own experience:

- Decompress and seek fun, instead of aiming to "get a project done". Follow whatever excites you. If nothing excites you, step away from the keyboard. Go for a walk, bring a notebook.

- The Artist's Way is great for processing burnout, and self-discovery. One does not need to consider themselves an artist to find the book useful. ( https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way-a-spiritua... )

You mention hardware, have you made a silly hardware thing recently? I can recommend running Rust on an esp32, lots of fun.

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#14

Post by iswapna_ »

I would suggest reading Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks. I do not agree with everything in it, but it does talk about the common problem of wanting to shift to a life of meaning and connections and possibly giving back. I am not sure if everyone ends up finding a purpose, but some do, myself included. I am deeply thankful for that. Looking at baby pictures is helpful to me, my kids, friends etc. How long a way we have come.

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#15

Post by paulcole »

> I have asked them to terminate my employment immediately so that I can file for unemployment with state of California(my home state).

You don’t ever need anyone’s permission to file for unemployment but telling somebody, “I need you to fire me” is probably not going to work in your favor.

And isn’t max benefit in CA $450/week? I get that it’s better than nothing but you’re probably earning a lot more than that.

> So, I could just "retire" now and pursue other things. But, I want to lead a productive life

From an outside perspective this is a wild statement. Why not retire and pursue a productive life?

Do you really have a clear personal definition of what a productive life looks like to you or is it 100% defined by “working”?

You might be interested in the book Tiny Experiments. It seems like from your track record you set these big goals and then move onto another before seeing anything through? And you feel like you missed out because you never “achieved” what you thought you wanted?

This book presents a very different approach to life that will probably seem very foreign to you but might be interesting and worth pursuing.

I also recommend Tao Te Ching to everyone.

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#16

Post by ultrasounder »

paulcole wrote: post #15

> I have asked them to terminate my employment immediately so that I can file for unemployment with state of California(my home state). You don’t ever need anyone’s permission to file for unemployment but telling somebody, “I need you to fire me” is probably not going to work in your favor. And isn’t max benefit in CA $450/week? I get that it’s better than nothing but you’re probably earning a lot more than that. > S…

Thanks for the book recommendations. Will absolutely check them out. No productive life for me is to be of “some use to others”. That’s what I am contemplating about. Also true regarding jumping from one goal to another without seeing the previous one through. Need to work on that too.

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#17

Post by ultrasounder »

ecalifornica wrote: post #11
AndrewKemendo wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the right answer I think I did this a few years ago after the layoff wave and it was transformative

I agree with Andrew, side projects are a great way to rediscover joy. From my own experience: - Decompress and seek fun, instead of aiming to "get a project done". Follow whatever excites you. If nothing excites you, step away from the keyboard. Go for a walk, bring a notebook. - The Artist's Way is great for processing burnout, and self-discovery. One does not need to consider themselves an artist to find the book u…

Thanks for the book recommendation. Seems like an interesting book. Have seen it recommended a few times here in HN already

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#18

Post by 7222aafdcf68cfe »

Have you considered stepping away from startups and shiny-thing, fast growth companies and looking for a role in a company for whom software is not their primary product, or that are in slower moving industries ? Try out insurance/banking, telecommunications, or industrial equipment manufacturers.

Re: Ask HN: Career Burnout Looking for Options

#19

Post by leakycap »

ultrasounder wrote: post #17
ecalifornica wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with Andrew, side projects are a great way to rediscover joy. From my own experience: - Decompress and seek fun, instead of aiming to "get a project done". Follow whatever excites you. If nothing excites you, step away from the keyboard. Go for a walk, bring a notebook. - The Artist's Way is great for processing burnout, and self-discovery. One does not need to consider themselves an artist to find the book u…

Thanks for the book recommendation. Seems like an interesting book. Have seen it recommended a few times here in HN already

Be aware it is extremely god-based in an unnerving way if you're not into religion. There are many alternatives if you don't want to go through a faith-based reboot.
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