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Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

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Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#21

Post by PragmaticPulp »

mzarate06 wrote: post #18

> One thing I've never really recovered is the passion I had for side projects I know how this feels. After a few bouts of burnout over my ~20 year career, I'm not convinced we fully recover from all of it. I think each bout leaves some permanent damage, along with increased risk of subsequent bouts. I made a similar comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22164678 The best general advice I can give is don…

> I think each bout leaves some permanent damage, along with increased risk of subsequent bouts.

Negative experiences tend to produce learned behaviors and reactions that we’re not aware of. These can be overcome, but it takes effort to identify them and implement deliberate changes in our behavior. There are various ways of doing this from self-guided books to professional therapy. It’s not exactly “damage” in the sense that it’s permanent or unaddressable, though. Viewing it as such can hamper recovery.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#23

Post by thek3nger »

All the other suggestions are good (especially the one remembering you that you do not HAVE to spend your free time on side projects). I want to add a small recent anecdotical suggestion.

I was not really burnt down but I noticed I started to loose enthusiasm for “The Craft” (of programming). Surprisingly, what reignited the spark was starting to watch and interact with people livecoding on Twitch. I don’t know what it was, maybe watching people doing THEIR side projects in a playful and relaxed environment make me rediscover the fun aspects of programming.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#24

Post by epicureanideal »

What kinds of things have you (or anyone else who burned out) tried so far that didn't work? Are you doing anything for fun? Any social activities? If there's a pattern around what's not helping that might help find out what's left to try.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#25

Post by JackGreyhat »

jonathanleane wrote: post #9

Was tempted to make a throwaway account for this, but what the hell, burnout is really nothing to be ashamed of. I'm in a somewhat similar situation to you, but replace the 3 years with 10 years. I had many periods of 'minor' burnout along the way that I ignored or ploughed through, which in hindsight was a pretty big mistake. Around August last year I just couldn't continue. I wasn't sleeping, I was frequently run d…

Felt like I was reading a description of what I feel. Kind of punched me in the face when I read at the end that he's 70...I've been in my animal for 35 years...perhaps it's time to reconsider my life. The problem is, I will probably never do until another major crash happens...I assume this is a problem many of us have.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#26

Post by echelon »

Don't think in terms of software. Think in terms of the change you want to bring into the world. Software is just a bridge you can take to get there.

Writing software without purpose is boring. Writing software to earn a living frequently aligns with business objectives, but not your own. It can absolutely wear you down.

Before worrying about your love for software, find your calling. What you want to breathe into the world. Whether you use software or not to get there won't matter.

And it's totally fine if you don't do any of this. Life doesn't have rules, and you don't have to fit a mold.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#27

Post by madaxe_again »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #21
mzarate06 wrote: post #18

> One thing I've never really recovered is the passion I had for side projects I know how this feels. After a few bouts of burnout over my ~20 year career, I'm not convinced we fully recover from all of it. I think each bout leaves some permanent damage, along with increased risk of subsequent bouts. I made a similar comment here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22164678 The best general advice I can give is don…

> I think each bout leaves some permanent damage, along with increased risk of subsequent bouts. Negative experiences tend to produce learned behaviors and reactions that we’re not aware of. These can be overcome, but it takes effort to identify them and implement deliberate changes in our behavior. There are various ways of doing this from self-guided books to professional therapy. It’s not exactly “damage” in the s…

I’m not sure that you can talk yourself out of physical brain damage. PTSD alters the character and volume of grey matter present in the brain.

I guess veterans etc. who suffer throughout their lives with it just aren’t sufficiently resilient?

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#28

Post by grayrest »

I took up cycling. When I was 35 I was having trouble with back pain that I assumed was rooted in not exercising. I find cycling to be the least objectionable form of exercise. My hip popped back into socket after a couple weeks and that was the main cause of back pain but I find I feel significantly worse and am less productive if I don't keep up with the exercise.

For purely code stuff, I tend to learn a new language when I don't want to program anything. I particularly like ones with non-mainstream philosophies as they provide a different perspective on the craft. I don't do much with the languages I learn but it usually kicks me back into regular coding.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#29

Post by madaxe_again »

jonathanleane wrote: post #9

Was tempted to make a throwaway account for this, but what the hell, burnout is really nothing to be ashamed of. I'm in a somewhat similar situation to you, but replace the 3 years with 10 years. I had many periods of 'minor' burnout along the way that I ignored or ploughed through, which in hindsight was a pretty big mistake. Around August last year I just couldn't continue. I wasn't sleeping, I was frequently run d…

This all rings very familiar - I left my business in 2016 as I was absolutely disintegrating, and my business “partner” wasn’t prepared for me to take six months off to recover, as it would mean him stepping up to the mark and dealing with the nightmare fuel I spent my days on.

Anyway. Five years on, haven’t worked since other than very lightweight consultancy. Live in the woods.

Still wake up at 0430 every morning in a panic. Still grind my teeth. Still flinch every time I hear my phone. Incapable of being kind to myself.

There’s a point of no return, beyond where the brain damage is irreparable. You can learn to live with it, but you can’t ever get rid of it.

Re: Ask HN: Post Burnout Ideas

#30

Post by prox »

madaxe_again wrote: post #27
PragmaticPulp wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I think each bout leaves some permanent damage, along with increased risk of subsequent bouts. Negative experiences tend to produce learned behaviors and reactions that we’re not aware of. These can be overcome, but it takes effort to identify them and implement deliberate changes in our behavior. There are various ways of doing this from self-guided books to professional therapy. It’s not exactly “damage” in the s…

I’m not sure that you can talk yourself out of physical brain damage. PTSD alters the character and volume of grey matter present in the brain. I guess veterans etc. who suffer throughout their lives with it just aren’t sufficiently resilient?

But not all burn outs are the same. PTSD level burn outs do, but you also have other types that aren’t at that level. As always the answer is “it depends” and get professional help.
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