Ask HN: What to Do After Burnout?

I’ve spent the last 15 years working for startups and before that was doing software development for agencies, and I don’t think I can do the deadline driven pressure cooker work I’ve experienced in both of those anymore. Getting work done lately has been an incredible struggle — which just compounds the stress as things build up. I recently had a kid I would really like to be able to spend time with him without have work stress in the back of my mind, or being worried that I’m going to get pulled away to deal with a production incident.

I am still at a startup currently, mostly coasting on my previous reputation as someone who got stuff done and because I have no idea what do next. Getting a different job in a startup or an agency sounds like the last thing I want right now. From what I’ve heard big tech is not all that much different, and a non-tech programming job sounds like it’d be boring/horrible in a different way.

Software engineers who’ve experienced burnout — were you able to get past it and find a job you enjoyed in tech? Or did you have success switching careers entirely?

I work in a startup, but you’d never know it because of how well managed everything is. I’m paid well and am never too busy. You just need to find the right company, a startup doesn’t have to be a boiler room.

Burnout is a thing which should be taken more seriously by more people.

Go on holiday. At least two months. The first week you'll think you're still at work. The second week you might have some time to collect your thoughts, and plan. Then beyond that you might hopefully have the headspace to catch up on chores and life admin.

Month two is for enjoying yourself and your family.

Do the above first. Not addressing your main Q; I'm sure there are good jobs which would still hold your interest/excite you.

For the last five years I've worked exclusively with non-profits and companies who are aligned with some sort of social good.

Coming from the agency/startup world, things are completely different for me now. Can't get something done at 6pm on a Friday? That's okay no problem we'll look into it Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or next quarter.

It's a completely different way of working, antithetical to the adrenaline chasing, weekend ruining pursuits of my youth (I think I'm old enough to say that now).

My income is smaller. Much smaller. But on an hourly basis I am probably making about the same as I was before, and every aspect of the job is much more pleasurable.

Start by sleeping 9+ hours per night, or at least staying in bed for that amount of time.