I’ve been working as a DS for about 6 years after a career change from business management. My plan was to simply supplement my management experience with data science but I really started to go all in as an IC because the money was, and still is, so much better in tech. I’ve gotten to do a lot, build a lot, learn a lot. But I feel rather empty. I don’t really make any decisions for my organization nor do I see a path to doing so here. I also face an uncertain future. I’m blessed to be sitting in this role currently but this industry feels like it’s shedding technical people like crazy. I guess I shouldn’t complain about having work. That seems in bad taste but I feel like I’m pressed into this Groundhog Day type scenario of staring at computer screens working on the same crap each day, fighting with architecture and blockers, going home late, and being too burnt out to do anything but stare at another screen for entertainment. I have fewer friends I see regularly than I’ve ever had, to say nothing about dating. I rarely play video games because I feel guilty when I do because they feel unimportant. It’s unhealthy as hell and I can’t seem to break it. I’ve considered shifting back to a managerial role somewhere or even changing to another career where the challenges are more interesting and less repetitive but I know I’ll be sacrificing the income. Lol I know Blind isn’t the platform to find hope but I wonder if it’s just me and there are ways to feel less beat down each day. Hobbies? Should I use meetup? Ugh. YoE 6 TC 325k
I don’t really have any productive suggestions, just want to say I’m there with you. Like is this all life is, working as a cog staring at a screen in the day, then bumming around at night staring at a screen? And I know I’m lucky to have a job, much less a well paying job, but it still feels empty. I dunno. I hope you find some meaning in it all. I know I’m still looking for it.
I hear you. You are not alone. I would strongly suggest you to do some volunteer work on weekends that is non-screeny. Go to your local pet shelter/orphanage/old age home. You will find meaning to your life and your happiness baseline will shoot up.
1) exercise 2) meditate 3) do what makes you happy atleast for 30 minutes a day 4) talk to your family and friends everyday for few minutes 5) mastrubate/ have intercourse
masturbate will make it worse
tc is nice and all but if you're only doing work whats the point if you're burnt out maybe consider taking paycut to join a smaller company with lesser workload and more time for yourself life is short and it's easy to lose perspective of what's important especially when you have golden handcuffs
Get an external offer. Connect with exisitng manager, HR and ask them for a team and tech change. Tell them you'll leave if they don't change your team and tech.