Most jobs wear people out. The only thing different about software is the absurd paychecks and the burnout typically happens in a comfy air-conditioned office i

Most jobs wear people out. The only thing different about software is the absurd paychecks and the burnout typically happens in a comfy air-conditioned office instead of on a roof in the hot midday sun. I don't think software engineering jobs are special when it comes to burnout. I think it's just software engineers think themselves special, and few lack the reference point of another job to realize how prevalent burnout is. At the end of the day, pretty much all jobs suck and will have you feeling worn out at one point or another. Some days are worse than others. The solution is simple: carry on. What else can you do? The grass is always greener. You could get another job, go through a honeymoon phase, but then almost certainly end up just as miserable as you are at your software job. Except in the new job, you'll be making a lot less money. No more six figures for tapping on a keyboard in an air-conditioned room. You don't know how good you have it. You want to experience a different flavor of burnout? Go do roofing and fall off a ladder for one tenth what your current pay is. That's burnout.