Ask HN: Any experience on giving up on professional Software Developer career?

[hellwd]

I've heard lot of stories about people switching careers to software development but I didn't find too much stories where someone did opposite. I don't take into count switching to the management roles. Last few months I started to realize that writing code in bad environments, where the budget and requirements from non-technical people are deciding everything, is killing my creativity and my home projects are suffering because when I come home I feel exhausted, tired and unmotivated.

I have also other skills which are enough to find completely another type of job. In that case software development will be a real hobby and I would be able to do things that I like and love.

Everything is nice and shiny when you think about that, but the reality is pretty much different and is not easy to do such thing. I would like to hear some other opinions and experiences.

[davelnewton]

Opinions? Go ahead and give it a shot.

To me it sounds more like you've had shitty jobs rather than you want to get out of dev.

[sharemywin]

My problem is very hard to replace the money and as sole earner with a family I just can't switch.