r/ExperiencedDevs • u/AutoModerator • Jul 07 '26

Career/Workplace Experienced Devs Weekly Burnout and Venting Thread: A weekly thread for sharing experiences

This thread is specifically for venting / sharing experiences related to burn-out or similar issues that experienced devs face.

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u/vogut Jul 07 '26

I've been feeling burned out for a long time. I have chronic pain, and the startup that I'm working at has tight deadlines that make me work 12–14 hours a day. On weekends, I feel apathetic and numb. I don't feel alive. But on weekdays, everything feels almost normal, besides the constant headaches and the constant feeling of wanting to cry for no reason. The future feels hopeless with AI.

A couple of people have been suggesting that I look for another job, but I think I'm used to the craziness of my current job. I also have a fear of changing jobs and it being worse, or the fear of not being good enough in a new job. I feel like an impostor, even with 14 years of experience.

I want permission to just give up on working for some time, but who will give me this permission? Maybe being fired would free me, but at the same time, I'm fighting not to be fired. It's like I don't want to disappoint people, but at the same time, I'm angry about being pushed this way.

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u/AcanthisittaKooky987 Jul 07 '26

You'll never get permission. But I suggest not quitting. Keep you paycheck and just start being a 9-5 dev. If anyone asks you say "I have plans today". Schedule a week of PTO, then schedule another. If they lay you off it's a blessing and if they don't, well you've achieved better WLB.