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Ask HN: Advice on regaining passion at work

2 points by throwaway_dev 10y ago

Hi HN, For the last 8 months, I've been on a high pressure and demanding project that has led to a mental burnout and I've lost any passion to do work. Moreover, I've stopped caring about work and become a monotonous mechanical programmer. As a result, I reached out to other folks at the company and managed to successfully switch to a new team. I still don't have the previous excitement I used to have for work nor the passion. I even don't find joy in my personal side projects anymore which is depressing. I'm hoping this is a short phase and it shall pass with time. I was wondering if anyone else has been in the same boat and how you handled them. I'd appreciate any advice in this regard. - throwaway_dev

billziss 10y ago
It comes and goes. Years ago I (semi-)retired from the corporate world for similar reasons and because I thought I would have more fun working on projects related to my hobbies. Turns out that even that got old eventually. Then a couple of years ago I started working on something else and got renewed passion which continues until today. Can you take a long break (say 6 months) and go do something completely different (like spend time in the Sahara or something)? When you come back you will have a new passion for your work. Or perhaps you will have discovered a new passion :) Good luck!
- cvburgess 10y ago
  This always sounds so nice in theory but how did you pull this off? Did you ask a manager? Quit and find a different job? Assuming you have the savings to do so, how did you just stop working for 6 months and not feel stressed out about the potential looming instability?
  - billziss 10y ago
    Simple: I quit. Yes, I did have savings. Yes, I was single at the time. I recognize that it would not have been possible otherwise.
- throwaway_dev 10y ago
  I appreciate your suggestions. Unfortunately, long break is pretty much not a option for me right now. A short break is something I can actually afford as suggested by cvburgess.
cvburgess 10y ago
It may sound cliche, but take a vacation. A disconnected, no social media, no email, minimal tech vacation. I find that completely tuning out recharges me and after a little while (usually 4 days) the distance from all things tech makes the "itch" come back and my heart a little fonder. I think if you try to work on side projects and have a constant negative self-perception, you won't be motivated to do much at all - not just program.
- throwaway_dev 10y ago
  Thank you, maybe that's what I need. A vacation to clear up my mind and purge some negativity.

2 points by throwaway_dev 10y ago

billziss 10y ago

It comes and goes. Years ago I (semi-)retired from the corporate world for similar reasons and because I thought I would have more fun working on projects related to my hobbies. Turns out that even that got old eventually. Then a couple of years ago I started working on something else and got renewed passion which continues until today. Can you take a long break (say 6 months) and go do something completely different (like spend time in the Sahara or something)? When you come back you will have a new passion for your work. Or perhaps you will have discovered a new passion :) Good luck!

cvburgess 10y ago
This always sounds so nice in theory but how did you pull this off? Did you ask a manager? Quit and find a different job? Assuming you have the savings to do so, how did you just stop working for 6 months and not feel stressed out about the potential looming instability?
- billziss 10y ago
  Simple: I quit. Yes, I did have savings. Yes, I was single at the time. I recognize that it would not have been possible otherwise.
throwaway_dev 10y ago
I appreciate your suggestions. Unfortunately, long break is pretty much not a option for me right now. A short break is something I can actually afford as suggested by cvburgess.

cvburgess 10y ago

It may sound cliche, but take a vacation. A disconnected, no social media, no email, minimal tech vacation. I find that completely tuning out recharges me and after a little while (usually 4 days) the distance from all things tech makes the "itch" come back and my heart a little fonder. I think if you try to work on side projects and have a constant negative self-perception, you won't be motivated to do much at all - not just program.

throwaway_dev 10y ago
Thank you, maybe that's what I need. A vacation to clear up my mind and purge some negativity.