Ask HN: How do you deal with burnout?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41700593

by AntiDyatlov • 2 years ago

4 3 2 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I've been feeling like I need a career change. After 12 years, I just don't want to think about computer problems anymore, or think like a programmer. Then again, maybe I'm just burnt out from a really nasty crunch we had in December and January.

Any tips on recovering from burnout, or am I just done as a programmer?

Mehticulous• 2 years ago

Take time for yourself as often as you can. Find a hobby if you have time. Gardening, model building, reading books, painting or manual things that require some skill and learning that are NOT programming. Treat yourself to good meals.

Set goals outside of work. Like I want to visit "10 new cities".

Socialize face to face, if you have that inclination, talk to people about anything except programming.

Good luck, M

TimGlowa• 2 years ago

It sounds like you’re at a real crossroads. First off, it's completely natural to feel unsure after going through an intense period like the crunch you mentioned. Burnout can make it challenging to distinguish between exhaustion and a genuine desire for change. Let’s take this step by step.

Consider seeking the counsel of others—friends, mentors, or even a career coach—but remember, this decision is highly personal and requires deep self-reflection. You need to be honest with yourself: what is driving these feelings? Is it burnout, or are you truly ready to leave programming behind? Self-reflection is critical here to help you understand the root causes.

If you decide it's time to move on, a resource that might help is the book What Color Is Your Parachute? It’s from the 1970s, but still offers valuable insights on figuring out "what's next." You can also look into the "7 Petal Exercise," which helps clarify what you want in your career and life—guides for this are easily found online.

It’s also worth considering that data shows only about 60% of people who switch jobs feel their new role completely meets their expectations. Before making a change, make sure you’re not simply moving from one problem into another—reflection is key to understanding if a new role will truly offer what you need.

If you find that a career change is right for you, you might consider getting a career coach, which can be incredibly valuable. However, coaches can also be expensive. An alternative is a tool I’ve created called JobMatch Pro, which provides personalized career guidance based on insights from over 500 coaching and career-related documents—for a fraction of the cost. The tradeoff between price and benefit is one only you can evaluate, but JobMatch Pro might be a good first step:https://hrbrain.ai/jobmatchpro/. You can also listen to more here: https://www.veed.io/view/ab51f033-9a44-4880-ae11-8c2cea38d0e...

I hope this is helpful.

PatriceGorissen• 2 years ago

I suppose it depends on what stage of burnout you are experiencing.

But I guess looking after yourself is the best way to recover from burnout.

Do other stuff, even when you are feeling exhausted. Go outside for a walk, exercise, and socialize.

You could also seek a therapist specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy to help you develop some coping strategies.

I hope you will find your way (out) soon!

Ask HN: How do you deal with burnout?

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