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Comment by bergerjac | Hacker News Reader

Jobs are like clothes. There is no "wrong job". There are jobs which fit now, and all other jobs.

A job may fit, then as we grow, we get new ones that fit better.

I would say the stages are usually:

#1: Grow out of the current job

#2: Still working same hours, but tasks become boring, therefore instead of the job fueling us, it drains us... causing Burnout.

#3: Then Laziness settles in, because putting energy into boring tasks only leads to Burnout.

#4: Spiraling down the Laziness slide, into Depression. Simply, Depression is a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. The antidote to Depression is doing... Doing new things we enjoy.

Therefore, take up an entirely new, and different practice. Perhaps move up to management. Or go to a new place, around new people.

TLDR: Do new.

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When you have lots of experience but a shortage of "credentials" and hostile employers telling you continuously you'd never be able to get work anywhere else... (I had this from several employers over 10 years .. with harsh gaps between involving things like homelessness)

... well, let's just say depression is inevitable. And being able to see new, a way out or anything else will likely require help from others. I got both help from others (churches (to oversimplify, there are multiple religious groups involved here) and more in my case - psych and medical was mostly unhelpful and/or toxic too - they believed the same lies the employers used!) and from friends and family ... and my life is a whole pile healthier and happier now. And if curious, no I don't attend any of the religious groups I visited during that period now. But I have a lot of respect for them now - well earned. And don't regret visiting any of them. And hopefully none regret my visiting them either too. People are people, and having healthy relationships means both parties should try to be healthy to one another.

Yes, employers can be abusive too, with all the consequences of being in an abusive relationship. This can also result in depression and usually burnout too. Especially if one works to ridiculous levels trying to keep the abusive employer happy. (it's also sometimes really hard to see that it's abusive without either outside help, or long and far enough distance)

I agree with #1, usually there is a good reason one starts with a certain job. For instance money or interesting problems. That in turn can fit into the current life situation, e.g. when expenses need to be done or the previous field got boring.

I disagree though with laziness. IMHO it protects us from doing things that we don't like. People try to hack themselves to overcome it. That's actually dangerous.

Couldn't agree more with this. The same issues occur with entrepreneurial relationships - I've worked in large companies with all of the above issues, and also started various ventures and been highly aware of shifting priorities and focuses that have led to burnout. This is more subtle but since you have to keep things moving forward can create greater personal risk

I don't agree with laziness leading to depression.

Laziness stems from not caring, depression stems from the opposite.

I think what you've labelled as laziness could better be labelled as something else. Apathy perhaps?

The constant criticism lazy people often face can easily lead to depression.

That isn't what the parent seems to be suggesting.

Ah, you are right! Sorry, I am too lazy to thoroughly read long comments...

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