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How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
21–30 of 124 posts
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#22As a junior, I started out loving my job. Then the bad decisions from management started and I started to love my job less, I still woke up with some excitement. 2 and a half years later: today what I do has more to do with pressure and deadlines than with learning and/or doing the right thing. Today, I find it unsustainable to work 8 hours a day, I've come to hate what I do, I can't imagine looking for another job d…
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Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#23This might sound obvious, but you need good tooling. I used to use use plain sublime text with very little plugins and automation. Writing code was extremely frustrating. Sublime text autocompletion rarely worked.
I’ve updated to the latest version, installed an lsp, written some plugins and commands for generating base classes and imports. I even run the tests automatically on file changes, terminal window about 1/4 of the screen (the other 3/4 is sublime), and now it’s a joy to write code. I no longer get frustrated writing even a simple line. Now I get immediate feedback when typing (from the lsp) and get (almost) immediate results when saving a file, (by having the tests run automatically). When I have to create a file, I have commands for most cases and when I don’t I have snippets that make it a breeze. It’s now actually enjoyable.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#24You have to fill up your cup before you can fill others. Perfectionists are well known to hardly ask for help and in life that's the catalyst for being able to make more time for yourself. Say no to more things. Spend more time on finding out more about yourself. Start to understand your emotions around the constant trauma you're living through and have lived through. You don't need to pay somebody $150 for this advi…
Seconding "The Body Keeps the Score" as a great resource. It's written in a plain, non-condescending tone and carries valuable insights about self-harming behaviour.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#25> Today, I am excited to announce my 4-week daily guided program, The Anxious Developer Program!
Ah, there it is.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#26Personally I think most of my depression comes down to not getting any joy out of my job as a dev and just doing it to pay the bills ... at then end of the day it's so draining that I have no energy left to work on personal projects, the current job market is not helping either to jump ship elsewhere
Having 0 energy after work means you either need to try less at work or you're depressed. You should have ~4 hours of energy after the workday ends.
Are you on adderall? That can cause a brutal end of day crash.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#27You have to fill up your cup before you can fill others. Perfectionists are well known to hardly ask for help and in life that's the catalyst for being able to make more time for yourself. Say no to more things. Spend more time on finding out more about yourself. Start to understand your emotions around the constant trauma you're living through and have lived through. You don't need to pay somebody $150 for this advi…
> You don't need to pay somebody
Your advice is good but there's nothing wrong with getting a professional to help you if you have the means. I've made more progress in the last two years with a good therapist than in twenty years of reading self-help books.
It's hard to overstate how much a good mentor/coach can improve your progress in almost every endeavor.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#28I was skeptical at first when my doctor recommended it, but since starting Zoloft/Sertraline about 3 weeks ago I have been very productive and have for once in my life (late 20s) I feel like I am actually winning in my battle with anxiety/stress.
I am not one to immediately recommend anti-depressants, and will be looking to wean myself off in the future, but in my current state I have found it extremely beneficial.
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#29imho software engineers are the most susceptible to the hyperactivity that often leads to these types of maladies - which ultimately flips from “working 100 miles an hour” to “only able to work 2 hours a day”, aka burnout
Byungchul Han is what’s been saving me - almost like philosophical therapy. has helped me to realize the societal origins of a lot of the expectations i inflict on myself
hope his frameworks might help others!
Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer
#30You have to fill up your cup before you can fill others. Perfectionists are well known to hardly ask for help and in life that's the catalyst for being able to make more time for yourself. Say no to more things. Spend more time on finding out more about yourself. Start to understand your emotions around the constant trauma you're living through and have lived through. You don't need to pay somebody $150 for this advi…
> You don't need to pay somebody Your advice is good but there's nothing wrong with getting a professional to help you if you have the means. I've made more progress in the last two years with a good therapist than in twenty years of reading self-help books. It's hard to overstate how much a good mentor/coach can improve your progress in almost every endeavor.
Sorry my snark was directed at the blog author who is self-promoting. Professional help is absolutely worth the money if you can afford it and make progress that way.