[eep_social]

Yes. I burnt out of FAANG, took a funemployment break, worked as an automotive service tech for a while, and am now back in tech.

I returned with an appreciation for the flexibility and variety. Car work was varied but inflexible and the pay was terrible. I dabbled in other hobbies over the course of my break but in the end tech is the best overall way to support myself so I expect to stay. However, my next gig will be at a much, much smaller company because it keeps variety high and the ceo/founder/decider close.

To me it sounds like you have the mildest version of being burnt out. Have you introspected on why in particular you have arrived where you are? Projecting, was it a couple bad team fits? When were you most happy in your job? What were prevailing conditions? I realized that I need to run my life with Dunbar’s Number in mind or I risk othering my coworkers in ways that make me a kinda shitty peer. So I’m looking for smallish companies just starting to scale as my ideal work environment. What’s yours?

Edit: fixed a typo.

[xil3]

I'm starting to think that's my go-to now - I need to either focus on smaller companies, where I can feel like I'm contributing to actual change. Whereas in the bigger companies I worked at, it felt like I wasn't actually doing anything, just because it was a constant struggle with politics and 'how' or 'what' things should/can be done.

If I can find a company that will just let me program and be where I want to be, in my own element, that may bring me back to my original point of happiness.

[eep_social]

You’re not alone :)