[misterkgb]

I was a tech lead for some interesting, innovative infrastructure at an engineering focused start-up when we were acquired. It was a very happy outcome, but after a few months my team and department were dissolved, and I found myself inside a very bureaucratic, very risk-averse company focused on product design and not technical innovation. It was hell for someone who likes to build stuff without having to get buy-in from at least 3 departments and 2 project managers. I stayed way too long though because the golden handcuffs were on real tight. After about 18 months of that I broke and quit suddenly.

I ended up not working again for almost a year. And even after that only on part-time contracts. I wouldn't say I ever "recovered" -- I now have a very different view on what work is and how it fits into my life.