I've been in software dev for over 40 years. For the most part, it's been an exciting, challenging, fun, and rewarding adventure.
But it hasn't been so for a while. The past year has been a real struggle. And it's gotten worse and worse until now I'm feeling quite awful.
How do you know when it's time to quit, get out?
Oldest comments (3)
Hey Tamara,
simple and short answer: If you feel awful, then quit and seek for new adventures.
There a lot of them. Don't be afraid!
Wow, firstly respect for the experience you have!
I'm sorry to hear you feel so bad. What do you think the general reason is for you feeling awful (e.g. do you feel stressed at your current job, burnt out, just don't enjoy development anymore, etc.?)
Normally, working on my side projects is the thing I always look forward to. But sometimes I'll go days or weeks where working on them doesn't bring the usual satisfaction, and it's a terrible feeling to lose that passion.
After a while my enthusiasm comes back, but your situation is probably different having been in the industry so long. Do you have other interests?
Ask yourselves: Why do I do this?
If you can't come up with a reasonable answer - leave.
Reading this, I recommend: Leave immediately.
Of course this sounds a bit drastic. OTOH nobody should feel awful due to circumstances caused by working conditions. Leaving is here a kind of self preservation and as such appropriate.