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Burnout Is Real

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Re: Burnout Is Real

#21

Post by ricardo81 »

itsbits wrote: post #2

I wish I had any other interest apart from programming...

Also a programmer. Stepping away from the desk is often the best thing for me, not for long mind, just to smoke. Astounded by the number of times I have a programming problem and the solution just 'clicks' while I'm away from the screen. FWIW I'm not endorsing smoking, but removing yourself from the screen has benefits IMO.

I don't have too many hobbies myself, and TBH love programming and staying on the steep learning curve. Felt that way my whole working life.

The only time I've felt burnout is part of a 50/50 company where the other guy wasn't pulling his weight. When the energy you put in isn't giving you something back in the form of [whichever pursuits of happiness you have], then it's definitely time to re-consider.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#23

Post by fasteddie31003 »

I gotta take some time off. I'm completely burnt out. It's just not super interesting working for a large company with a stack a mile deep. I'm 6 months into a project that separates one status field into two different status fields. My god, it's boring, but if we fuck any little piece up we break customer data. I just want to work on something new that I'm passionate about. But the things I'm passionate about probably won't make me as much money.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#24

Post by tluyben2 »

itsbits wrote: post #2

I wish I had any other interest apart from programming...

I didn't have any other interest at all. Programming is the greatest thing; you only need a computer (old/new/don't care) to Create New Things. I never did programming for the money; it accidentally made (a lot) of money.

After covid + a horrible project last year, it seems I did kind of burnt out and after thinking almost 40 years that programming is the thing that keeps me happy, I don't like it anymore.

Luckily, money wise, I am (and have been) a manager(/CTO) for decades already but I always kept holding on to the fact my real passion/work/hobby is programming and I always did at least my management hours doubled up with coding.

It is strange to feel the foundation I made up for myself drop away. Will require some adaptation time and indeed exploring other interests, which simply take work trying out. I know that all things I will discover, besides baking pizza, cannot make money at all. So there is that.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#25

Post by carlivar »

matthewh806 wrote: post #18
carlivar wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought that at first too, but he says he likes picking old tickets off the backlog. There's usually no product pressure or deadlines with that sort of work. Which is actually the source of burnout perhaps?

Yes, but his first tweet also says "I’m also leaving the tech industry at the end of the month." So, it's a bit contradictory?

Good point. I guess he means full time, but it all does seem half baked. Maybe his wife has a good job and insurance.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#28

Post by carlosrg »

matthewh806 wrote: post #7

This seems like a load of bullshit to me. Some LinkedIn Lunatic level crap He starts off by telling us he's burnt out and then jumps immediately to discussing how he turned a hobby into a full time job... Sounds like a cycle. "Its not an ego trip" but I will spend 17 tweets talking about myself

You might need some time off yourself, seeing how an inoffensive Twitter thread made you so mad.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#29

Post by username90 »

analyst74 wrote: post #9

Personally, I find the biggest reason for burnout is lack of autonomy. The author seems to have found the same.

I'd say burnout happens when you have had too many negative experiences related to work compared to how many positive ones you got and your emotions tells you that it isn't something you should continue doing since it is bad for you.

A negative experience could be that you worked long hours and no longer could do things you love, or people screaming at you causing stress etc, humans are really good at being creative here so most things can fit here.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#30

Post by alistairSH »

dahjkol wrote: post #3
itsbits wrote: post #2

I wish I had any other interest apart from programming...

Just go outside.

Expanding on this post a little bit, because "just go outside" alone isn't particularly helpful...

Find a local park (wooded, not just ball fields). Go for a walk. It doesn't have to long or strenuous - just being outside, in the relative quiet, can be profoundly relaxing.

Maybe you'll find the outdoors isn't your thing, but as far as finding a hobby goes, spending time outdoors in nature is about as low investment as it gets.

Or, if you prefer something a bit more aligned with programming/tech, maybe find a maker club and get into 3d printing, or woodwork, or some similar hobby. These aren't my thing, but I have several programmer friends who love to build stuff - some restore old motorcycles, some do the maker thing, and some ended up with woodshops in the their basements/garages.

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