[mtrimpe]

Sounds like you have what I call associative burnout.

It’s basically when your association with an activity becomes so negative that you no longer have the willpower to push yourself to perform the activity.

Your brain has basically puts work in the same category as holding your hand against a hot stove.

I was lucky to have my associations limited to certain employers and role descriptions but it was everything as real as the physical burnout I developed later on in life.

And as far as tips for recovery; the only thing I can think of is to learn to respect the association and stop trying to fight it with willpower. Just stay within the zone You do have motivation for/that does feel good and let it lead you wherever it needs to.

That might end up leading you to a different career but in my case it led me back to basically the same career but with a bunch of ‘red flag’ activities and behaviors (mine and others’) which mean I need to get the hell out of my current job.