[chii]

> Feeling unfulfilled is stressful. You are stressed and you are probably burning out (yes it's possible to burn out on boredom).

It's stressful, but only when one feels they must climb that maslow ladder (and frankly, probably jealous of the stories from successful people who seems to have done so).

A perspective change is another way out - your job is just a job. You can merely do adequate (and by the sounds of it, the OP's capable enough to not be challenged, which means they can accomplish all tasks easily).

Leave mental energy for weekends on hobbies and interests outside of job. It could be programming/software engineering related, but doesn't have to be.

Take leave often, and consider working part time if salary allows it. Use that extra time to focus on hobbies and interests. "Rest and Vest" is the phrase i heard thrown around for such behaviour, and i absolutely consider it something one should do if one is lucky enough to be in that position.

[stormbrew]

The phenomenon I'm describing here has nothing to do with climbing any ladder, corporate or Maslow. Being bored for 8 hours a day every day and not really even being able to distract your brain from it like you potentially can with less mental labor is just not very pleasant, and many people can't just "put up with it" for years on end without it turning into self-harm.