I know some jobs feel like a grind on some days, but for those who have a legitimate, heaving disinterest every work day, how do you get to the end? What pushes you to the next day?
Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
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Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#2I used to be in a situation like that. Couldn’t change positions due to a visa requirement and management took advantage of that.
What helped me:
- Have a light at the end of the tunnel, i.e. issuance of my permanent residency which would put an end to the suffering.
- Have a VERY rigid separation between home and work. 2 laptops, 2 phones. As soon as 6 o’clock hits work phone gets turned off and put on a shelf.
- Personal side projects that kept me interested in IT and helped me uphill. This bit is important to make sure you don’t start associating your vocation with mental pain and understand that the industry is still fun, your job just sucks.
- Regular exercise.
- Taking regular breaks during workday, have lunch outside with a friend, etc.
- Participate in meetups and other community events, volunteer your time to help others (gives meaning).
It’s a tough situation, so good luck. If you can leave though - I would recommend it. Life is too short to work in an environment you hate.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#3I think I'm happy enough but at the same time I feel scared shitless most days... Just recently I took a bump to a more senior position and I just keep having these visions of absolute failure... I just always have such a hard time taking it easy and understanding that even if this doesn't work for me its not going to be the end of the world.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#4Hell no. I absolutely hate my job.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#5I used to be in a situation like that. Couldn’t change positions due to a visa requirement and management took advantage of that. What helped me: - Have a light at the end of the tunnel, i.e. issuance of my permanent residency which would put an end to the suffering. - Have a VERY rigid separation between home and work. 2 laptops, 2 phones. As soon as 6 o’clock hits work phone gets turned off and put on a shelf. - Pe…
Meetups = more Zoom?
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#6Yes, but I’ve only been here for about 2 months. I absolutely hated my previous position. By the time I finally accepted it wasn’t going to get better, I was so depressed and downtrodden that it was extremely difficult to add interviews and studying to my daily workload.
I was pretty quick to accept my current position and I have since recovered from the depression. I don’t see myself staying here more then a couple years. Hopefully inflation will have leveled out by then and I’ll have the energy to put into getting a ‘dream job’. In the mean time I’m enjoying life and learning new things for the joy of it.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#7I used to be in a situation like that. Couldn’t change positions due to a visa requirement and management took advantage of that. What helped me: - Have a light at the end of the tunnel, i.e. issuance of my permanent residency which would put an end to the suffering. - Have a VERY rigid separation between home and work. 2 laptops, 2 phones. As soon as 6 o’clock hits work phone gets turned off and put on a shelf. - Pe…
Meetups = more Zoom?
Well depends on where in the world you are. Preferably something in person of course.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#8Eh, not really, but it’s unlikely I could find a job where I would be. It really was a mistake to become a professional programmer.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#9I was never really a fan of working in general. Like why would I want to have to be at a certain place every day (even if that place is my home office) and have to work on my employers problems? And even if I enjoy programming to some extent, 8 hours a day for 48-50 weeks a year is just way too much. That said, I'm thankful my job pays decently and that allows me to do the things I enjoy.
Re: Ask HN: Are you happy with your current job?
#10I was never really a fan of working in general. Like why would I want to have to be at a certain place every day (even if that place is my home office) and have to work on my employers problems? And even if I enjoy programming to some extent, 8 hours a day for 48-50 weeks a year is just way too much. That said, I'm thankful my job pays decently and that allows me to do the things I enjoy.
Same, I like programming and its alright helping others solve their problems, but 8 hours per day is just too much if I’m being honest. If it didnt pay well, I would be doing something less complex and more tactile.