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Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

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Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#31

Post by AdeptusAquinas »

I went through a dark phase like this a while ago. Similar situation, with a mortgage that effectively trapped me at my job. I eventually figured out though that my depression was linked to the frustration with the pointlessness of the job - you are not exactly doing anything meaningful when each day is building pointless features into monolithic intranets for companies and government departments who are motivated more by using up budget than real needs :)

Once I realised that it was, for lack of a better term, 'caring' for work that shouldn't really be cared for that was the problem, I got much happier. Became very laissez-faire, committed only to doing a good job and not associating myself with the company. Don't be loyal, just be professional in other words, and live for the time when you are not at work.

Seems to be working for me so far. My work and mood has improved, which leads to better things both at work and home.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#32

Post by O____________O »

I have a family and the job pays the bills.

Sounds like you have a pretty good life!

If we spent more time appreciating the things we do have, and less time lamenting the things we don't (promotions, specific career trajectories), then we'd all find more satisfaction in life.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#33

Post by monk_e_boy »

zem wrote: post #27

caveat: the following advice works very well for me; it might not for everyone the main idea is, do not tie your identity or sense of self-worth to your job. be very clear that your job is what you do to get enough money to support your "real" life, and concentrate on making the rest of your time enjoyable. the side project is a good start, but also exercise more, take up some non-tech-related hobby (maybe one you ca…

If you can, choose to do hard things at work. I was the guy who decided to use debuggers, dig through bug reports, patches, etc... usually it's a bit more interesting and makes you more valuable.

But yeah, make sure you live life to the full outside work. Spend work hours shooting the breeze, being tired or hungover. Get some podcasts going on. I prefer D&D because the stories are never predictable.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#34

Post by gabamnml »

the_economist wrote: post #21

The following things are proven to make you happier (and smarter!). I try to do all of them. 1) Exercise for at least 60 minutes/day. I recommend getting a pedometer and walking 12,000 steps/day, plus working out with weights 2-4 times/week 2) Gratitude -- try to spend time every day thinking about the things you are grateful for 3) Meditation -- 10 minutes/day. It works. Studies prove it! 4) Relationship with the su…

I think the most important part is to exercise. The body releases endorphins which are the ones responsible to make humans happier.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#36

Post by mbrock »

GeX2mULc wrote: post #19
mrcold wrote: post #8

Welcome to the club. We don't have free drinks or anything. Only endless depression and no will to continue. But seriously, things are fucked and it's only getting worse. I'm in the same shoes and I'm trying a startup in my spare time. Plus, the guy running our project decided to quit and leave me alone with a monster made out of spaghetti code. Just finished updating my resume, hoping I won't need to use it. Don't h…

I love outbursts like these :D I am miserable in general and and this made my evening, thanks

If you love depressive yet uplifting outbursts, try Ecclesiastes.

For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?

For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#37

Post by scottm01 »

mrcold wrote: post #8

Welcome to the club. We don't have free drinks or anything. Only endless depression and no will to continue. But seriously, things are fucked and it's only getting worse. I'm in the same shoes and I'm trying a startup in my spare time. Plus, the guy running our project decided to quit and leave me alone with a monster made out of spaghetti code. Just finished updating my resume, hoping I won't need to use it. Don't h…

I first heard this joke on the Drew Carey Show.

"Oh, you hate your job? There's a support group for that. It's called everybody, they meet at the bar"

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#38

Post by tunesmith »

Assuming this isn't clinical depression (others have advice on that), I'd recommend to take a close look at what your goals are. Basic philosophy: Don't make your happiness dependent on things you can't control. In a large company, there are going to be a lot of things you can't control. Make your happiness dependent on things you can control, like how you spend your free time, how good a job you do at the stuff you do, and other things you individually can do to improve your future career mobility.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#39

Post by [deleted] »

the_economist wrote: post #21

The following things are proven to make you happier (and smarter!). I try to do all of them. 1) Exercise for at least 60 minutes/day. I recommend getting a pedometer and walking 12,000 steps/day, plus working out with weights 2-4 times/week 2) Gratitude -- try to spend time every day thinking about the things you are grateful for 3) Meditation -- 10 minutes/day. It works. Studies prove it! 4) Relationship with the su…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What should I do if I feel depressed in my job?

#40

Post by ElijahLynn »

Go read "The Dip". It can be helpful in determining when to call it quits and move on or to stay put and wait for the sun. But yeah, exercise helps megatons with this too, read the book "Spark" to learn about the science of exercise and how it affects the brain.
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