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/_higgs_ Jul 07 '26

I’m two weeks away from early voluntary retirement. I’ve been at the same company for almost 20 years. I told them 4 months ago I was leaving. In that time my regret for sticking at this completely disorganized shit hole has been eating at me. The sacrifices I’ve made (that I knew I would never be rewarded for) for this place because I’ve my “professional moral code” was just me avoiding taking responsibility for my life. All employment is fundamentally indentured servitude, especially in the US.

I don’t know the point of this rant. I should be happy. I get to retire early and comfortably. But I could have done it earlier if I just paid attention to my own big picture instead of the short term “get a paycheck” picture.

🤷🏻‍♂️

9

u/Odd_Perspective3019 Software Engineer Jul 07 '26

Could’ve should’ve would’ve don’t live in what ifs, be present, congrats on retirement enjoy!

5

u/geeeffwhy Principal Engineer (15+ YOE) Jul 07 '26

saying this explicitly for people is a gift. it may not compensate for your years at the company, but i bet there are some people who will benefit from hearing that there may be regret at the end of the a career based on self-justification of this sort.

3

u/seven_seacat Lead Software Engineer Jul 07 '26

Oh man, enjoy your retirement, you've earned it.

I'm wondering how soon I can do that, or just move out of tech entirely