I was only a professional programmer for a very short period bit I found it draining. I often hear about and read about burnout among programmers, so I'm wondering how those folks that love it avoid such mental overload?
2 years ago 路 馃憤 devyl, nintron, bavarianbarbarian, ivanodin
PS: i am still interessted in in computer science, without that i would not have discovered gemini space. unix systems are still my favour of OSs, i like to share the freedom of information, but the world seems not ready for this... 路 2 years ago
@gritty, i dont know the translation for a saying that we have here, but it means the revolution is eating its kids. I really thought tech and internet and stuff could improve mankind.. but what do we got? fscking surveillance and stuff.. and blame on me, i've been part of it, beeing young, dumb, full of hope to create something thats better.. knowlegde for everyone, a more peaceful world.. mankind is a piece of shit all in all... i got it, sadly... may cats survive us ;) 路 2 years ago
thanks for the replies. I see some have ways to avoid or others have not hit it at all. I guess it just really depends on the person and level of interest. seems tech can burn folks out pretty quickly.
@bavarianbarbarian I hear you. as I've gotten older, I've become more disenfranchised with technology, yet still like it. I loved it so much but now see the downsides and, like you, look to enjoying physical things more. 路 2 years ago
I just came back to work after a 3 week forced vacation due to a burnout. But I think it's more related to the fact I'm using obsolete tech for 8 years, learned nothing new, the job is boring as f, and I haven't got a decent vacation in years. 路 2 years ago
I still get excited to learn how to do things in creative and elegant ways that feel good to me! But if I did the same thing every day without anything novel, or anything new to feel good about, I definitely wouldn't feel as enthusiastic
I think it's partially a pacing thing, but also recognizing that not all programming really shares the same vibe! There are some things you'll find really speak to you in ways that maybe your most common activities don't, or languages, practices or paradigms that just feel much better
I think it's worth it to find things to be excited about, while also making sure you don't overdo it when you do..! 路 2 years ago
I try to have hobbies that are not programming related, even though they often still end up being based in technology. Still, burnout is very real, and can absolutely wreck you. Usually there are some stong causes of burnout that can be identified and rectifed. Not setting clear work boundaries, no career growth, rudderless leadership, imbalaced effort and payoff, etc. Sometimes these are solved by changing expectations within yourself. Other times they are solved by changing external expectations. And somtimes they are solved by changing your environment, job, etc. It's different for everyone. 路 2 years ago
as a former sysadmin for about 20 years, i know what you mean... i lost my believs that this kinda tech could improve mankind.. so i became a gardener/chef/blacksmith/craftsman... sittening in my garden with my cat, watching fishes, frogs, birds, flowers, herbs, gtfo goddamn world, you're none of my buisness anymore.. go to hell and leave me alone... 路 2 years ago
Maybe I'm unusual in that I'm yet to hit burnout after 5 years. Still filling my weekends with it too, though very different kind of coding 路 2 years ago
I can't speak from too much experience, but I feel if I go too hard to fast then I burnout harder, if I slow down, pace myself and work on a variety of things, this allows me to go for a longer period without burning out and the burnout doesn't seem as big. 路 2 years ago
I run a small electronics company 'tymkrs'. Sometimes I am the one writing firmware for our products. Because the designs are my own, I find it rewarding and interesting ... not sure I would feel the same way if some mba was making a mess of it though :) 路 2 years ago
For me it is a very creative work, a passion. I like it to think about or create complex systems, fiddle out solutions for requirements, ... I never had a problem with mental overload; the best way is to break after the 8 (or less) hours work day, go outside (in the woods), look for hobbies like bushcraft, reading books (i love fantasy and dystopian stuff) or just binge watching :) it's like with all jobs; Don't let your boss/job expliot yourself. 路 2 years ago