Ask HN: Take time off on these uncertain times

In similar situation, and am thinking of taking similar steps in next 6 months. I have a couple of projects that are coming to a close, and am planning to dig in to some previous projects/ideas and pursue them with more vigor. I'll keep myself open to consulting work and possible f/t job, but won't be pursuing it for a while. I'm very... "burned out" and need to stop - or at least slow down a lot.

I've been fearful for years of taking my foot off the gas, unsure I could step back in to things. Ageism has seemed to be a thing among some of my colleagues/friends, so the older I get, the more nervous I get. But yeah... savings... similar - probably 2-3 years of cash on hand, but we're in the middle of some house remodeling. That may take it closer to 1.5-2 years when it's done. But I'm just so.. tired of the rat race and need some time off. A day at the beach doesn't really cut it. 3-4 days won't cut it, I don't think. I need some extended time on 'no work' or possibly at least 'reduced' work.

I guess I'll be the odd one out in this thread. 2-3 years worth of expenses sounds like a fairly small buffer for someone that has 20+ years of experience and currently makes 4x their monthly expenses. where is it all going?

I can't tell you what's best for you, but personally I would not choose this moment as the time to stop trying to make money for 1-2 years. assuming you live in the US, you are halfway through your career and not on track to retire after part two. if I were in your situation and really hated the current gig, I would probably try to find a new job with comparable pay and arrange for a 1-2 month gap before starting.

> 2-3 years worth of expenses sounds like a fairly small buffer for someone that has 20+ years of experience and currently makes 4x their monthly expenses.

I read it as they have that much liquid.

Similar, and similar situation. Invested savings and retirement accounts have taken a beating - my cash is 'only' losing to some inflation. But on-hand cash savings for ~2ish years - could possibly be a bit longer if we cut a couple things.

> I'm a cynic, I work for money and nothing else

You're not a cynic. That's the most healthy approach to working for others, with no stake and little to no agency. The culture in certain countries (US, Japan, South Korea) is trying to brainwash people into "giving it all" to their meaningless jobs and stigmatizes people who won't. It's all just psy-ops though, and people who fall for it are the real morons and/or simpletons (they often wake up with a "mid-life crisis" later anyway).

I would absolutely take the time off. In fact, I'm going to - I recently resigned.

I'm looking forward to really relaxing, recharging, healing, living more healthily, and generally getting back to being the better version of myself that I know is in there somewhere. I'm also looking forward to a deliberately empty professional future, and seeing where serendipity takes me. (This is why I'm not taking a sabbatical.)

Like you, I have a relatively low cost of living, and I'm comfortable that even if I can't find something great when I decide to go back to work again, I'll be fairly easily able to find something that's sufficient to cover my expenses.

When you're older and looking back at your life, I think it's unlikely that you'd regret taking this opportunity; but you might regret if you didn't.

This resonated with me as I resigned Sept. 2nd and is one of my goals: "generally getting back to being the better version of myself that I know is in there somewhere"

Good luck with your funemployment!

Studies have shown that people who went into the job market at 2008 never caught up to the careers of their peers who joined before or after the recession.

I don't know if it's the same for someone with 20+ years of experience, but now probably a good time to not get a new job. Perfect time to continue studies or do your own thing.

I think at your age, the concern is ageism. Too long in the weeds and you get tired, cynical, resistant to change. Nobody would fault you for having a resume gap with that much experience.

So just playing with tech sounds like the best career choice at this point.

Any references for those studies?

Too lazy to dig it up, but source was Paul Krugman on a class on recessions.

Yep.

Feeling this too, and I think most of the comments are right. Take some time off and refocus and relearn how to enjoy life without the baggage of whatever you're hanging on to right now.

I'll add my personal anecdote. I recently took off almost a year, and have decided I'll be taking off an unspecified amount of time from "working". Might be 1 year or might be 10 years -- I think leaving it up to when it feels right is best.

If you have the finances sorted out for a few years off, do it. Things might be worse, the time off will be worth it. Things might get better, and you'll be well rested and prepared to act on it.

It is entirely up to you on what you want to do with your life.

It might be good for your mental health to spend some time working on things you enjoy. Rich Hickey did that and now we have Clojure: https://download.clojure.org/papers/clojure-hopl-iv-final.pd...

I would make sure your family fully supports the idea before starting.

> there may not be a decent job market to come back to in a few years.

Also... if things get that bad, there's no guarantee you'd have stayed employed anyway.

Taking time off, reflecting, etc is not a bad idea.

> I want to take 1-2 years off and just focus on writing some software I enjoy, that may or not make money, but something that actually makes me enjoy looking at a screen vs wanting to punch it.

This sounds a bit odd. What is this, a hobby, or recreation? Hobbies and recreation are fine, but they are probably not an alternative to gainful employment or a profitable business.

If you want start your own company, that could be an option, but it may involve thing things that you don't enjoy, and/or wanting to punch a screen.

You can ask for an extended unpaid sabbatical of 6-12 months. Your employer will love it during this time, and not have to worry about hiring when things are better next year.

Which country are you in? Western Europe has a different culture around taking time off, and might offer different options.

For example, some German companies offer various degrees of safety for workers who want a sabbatical. If you can be guaranteed a job, it's great.

Another thing to consider: rule two of investing club is "don't time the market". You may wait your entire life for the right conditions. Some people do. You can also take the plunge and hope for the best.

You shouldn’t have to look to economic conditions to do these things. If it’s the right time, do it.

The other option is to do your minimum job and put your real energy into your own projects.

I think you just need to rebalance your WLB. I wrote a book about this recently(in bio). You have lost your meaning and you have to work on that before making this decision in my opinion.

There are a lot of us in this club. I'm on sabbatical. I've taken the time off to limit pressure and to add new skills at the same time. I don't plan on working until after the world's financial slump, and it's probably dumb luck that I was already prepared for it.

I don't think anyone is a cynic if they only work for the money. Just like I don't think there are any carpenters that will repair your roof for free. They will do that only for money which is perfectly fine.

Why don’t you find a work that fills you ?

Don't take 1 to 2 years. Take 6 months. It'll be enough. If it's not you can re-asses.

I'll just wait to get laid off and collect funemployment

Just become a professional slacker.