[kizer]

If this is a possibility, try to take some time off and focus on the very basics of life. As intellectual people we tend to skip over the basics since our minds are elsewhere thinking about something “important”. As it turns out, to live an effective life you have to spend time thinking about very mundane, real-world chore-like things. This was very hard for me to really internalize. I ended up quitting my first job out of college due to mental health decline, but also due to the fact that I couldn’t honestly take care of myself. I was at a top tech company, I could hold intelligent conversation, but there was so much I skipped over (out of necessity really).

Now I’m rebuilding myself from the ground up. The basics: structuring my day, eating regularly, even things like grooming myself and of course exercise (though I’ve been slacking). Really it feels great to finally be able to be “dumb” for a while. I’m not coding intensively though I’m keeping up with the field and dabbling here and there. Otherwise I’m trying to live as if I weren’t smart. It’s very liberating but hard at first to dedicate yourself to your actual self and not your work.

Like others said, definitely cut out the dopamine hits (weed, passive TV) if you can. Maybe try the fabled dopamine detox.

Whatever you do, you’re not alone! I’ve got buddies in other fields in similar positions. Like a great burn out from tech and all this instant gratification. Good luck!