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Poll: How are you doing currently?

news.ycombinator.com

31–40 of 231 posts

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#31
I think overall things are better but definitely some areas of worry.

I took last week off and really just enjoyed a staycation of doing whatever I felt like. Practiced guitar, read some, played Magic like every day, and had the time & stress capacity to handle our fridge going out suddenly.

The main thing is I'm worried where things are going. For the first time, because of the market, I'm projected to make less this year than I did last, which is a first. I'm not on board with where my team's roadmap is going. The project I've been working on for two years has been on the chopping block the entire time...while I'm simultaneously told it's "super important." I get calls from my family in Texas as they're having to prepare for major power outages. My wife's super stressed from the school shooting (and we don't even have kids).

For the pay thing, I know I should be looking and applying, but just thinking about interviewing gives me dark thoughts. I just cannot believe that after 10+ years of doing this job and doing it well, I still have to explain to these dipshit recruiters that "no really, I'm a FULL-stack developer. I may not have direct experience with Your Thing but I've worked on a hundred things I didn't know because I can fucking Figure It OUT. I have the degrees, I have the experience. Oh and your little LeetCode problems are bullshit. NO ONE is out there finding the longest increasing subsequence of an integer array." Then I feel guilty for even applying because nearly no one will pay me more than what I currently make and still let me work the strict 9-5 I do. My work isn't stressful, it's just frustrating and pointless. But isn't all work? But how can I stand by a "promotion" that literally resulted in me earning less b/c of how much is in stock?

I guess I should count my blessings. Good health, decent wealth, and good free time. I've been enjoying my hobbies of playing Magic and guitar. The weather is getting to be nice enough for a cookout and I've got a 3day weekend in a few hours.

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#33
I've been at the same company (more-or-less, due to acquisitions) for nearly 25 years, and I'm burning out, edging closer to pulling the eject lever. It's a bit daunting, since I haven't been to a job interview since the 90s. And I strongly suspect the reasons I want to leave won't necessarily be any better elsewhere.

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#35
Mostly good, after 10 years of being almost completely sedentary, binge eating, and living practically like an animal I've gotten control of my life. I'm on a weight loss journey that I feel confident I can maintain on my 3rd attempt. I'm eating a balanced diet. I'm going outside and walking close to 7 miles every day, I'm lifting weights 5 times a week. If I have one piece of advice for people in the situation where they have depression and are lying in bed all day. Fix your sleep, make sure you have 0 micronutrient deficiencies, and go outside for 10 minutes a couple times a day and expose yourself to sunlight. Sleep at least 8 hours a night and make sure you are sleeping consistently at the same time every day.

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#36
Long Covid limited my ability to do things, now eye surgery reduces me to sitting in front of a screen for about 3 months... it hurts to look down, looking forward doesn't, and it was my dominant eye.... the gas bubble they injected is about 40%, so I'm past half way... but it's really not a fulfilling existence right now.

Hopefully I'll be doing much better towards the end of summer. 8)

PS: In the meanwhile, I've got some programming projects to try.

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#38

Very bad. Struggling dealing with an autism / aspergers diagnosis and trying to understand how to re-enter the workforce after a few years of being under or unemployed. It's a complete nightmare. I want to work but I struggle with communication and being understood (or understanding) the world around me. I have been waiting on news about a job all week and not a peep. I'm pretty sure they are waiting till EOD Friday…

> My life would be perfect if I could find a way to stop failing as a person. Every day I'm afraid I'll lose everything because I can't "make it happen" and turn things around.

For what it’s worth, you’re definitely not alone in feeling like this.

Best of luck with the job hunting. You’ll get there!

Re: Poll: How are you doing currently?

#40
post #10

Just wish I had more time off. Got a lot of vacation days. But our team is so small that taking the time off makes me feel guilty. Conversely, if I don't have at least 4 days off in a row I don't know how to just relax and not try to do work. I don't enjoy watching movies or TV anymore cause all I can think about is the fact that I'm not being productive. I haven't gone to the movies since 2019 (since COVID) and I've…

Spending time in nature gets me out of the "I should be doing something now" mode you're talking about.
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