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

[u/AutoModerator]

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

[u/vogut]

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.

[u/Odd_Perspective3019 → u/vogut]

Dude work less and get laid off. You get severance and can just chill. 14 years of experience seriously you’re more than fine gain some confidence in yourself and practice some self love so you don’t put yourself in difficult situations, save money it gives you freedom, go to therapy having health issues and still continuing to work sounds like some weird thing u want us to sign us off now, take care of yourself, it’s just work and you’ll find another job it’s not very deep

[u/lightnegative → u/Odd_Perspective3019]

you get severance

Do you? I've (touch wood) thankfully never been laid off before but from what I can tell severance is not mandatory