Recovering from burnout
Hey guys. I did the thing you're not suppose to do and I burnt myself out.
Well, actually about 3 months ago now.
Since then I've barely worked on my side project. I miss coding.
I've been trying to relax more and do less. I've been doing more passive stuff like watching Netflix or Youtube but I still can't get motivated to do much on my web app. I had a productive week about 3 weeks ago where I got a TON done. Like as much as I used to do but then it felt like I burnt myself out again and I've barely done anything since then.
Am I just doomed to be like this for a long time? I'm the type of person that loves having projects. I've had bouts of burnout here and there because I don't take as much time off as I should but never has it last this long.
What do you guys do to relax?
I've gone through this a few times, the last one right before I went full-time on my own. I learned from my previous experience and luckily caught it before it got bad. The first time I hit burnout I really took a step back and took a few months off. I really didn't do much work on any of my projects. I slowly started getting back into it but it was tough. I was constantly beating myself up for not working more. In the end, pushing myself to take it easy was the best thing I could have done.
During that time, I rarely took any time for myself. I was working full time, had a business I was trying to build (which ultimately failed) and had two young children. I always made sure I had time put aside for my projects and family but never for me and I think this is what ultimately caught up with me. Between my job and projects I was working 50-60 hour weeks and pretty much doing nothing else, not smart!
Now a days I make sure to put time aside for myself throughout the day. I love being active so I make time for myself in the morning to workout, I take a 30-60 minute walk during the day and I find 30-60 minutes to read comic books/books, play some video games or watch TV shows. This is on top of spending time with my family and business. The biggest key for me is making sure I don't waste any time when working and I plan my day to make sure I have that focus. I've been doing this for about a year and have never felt better. I work less than I ever have, no more 60 hour weeks for me, and I'm more productive than I've ever been. I still have moments where I feel like I'm not working "enough" but have gotten good enough at ignoring those thoughts so they don't suck me in.
Your health and happiness is much more important and valuable than your projects. Take it easy and find balance. Take it from me, burned out again and spending an entire year recovering.
Your username checks out.
I think it's important not to force it. Especially this year we are all stressed with a lot of external factors and it's just hard. I also cannot bring myself to work every day, but it's okay.
I’m in the same boat atm. My current project is too complex and requires a lot of time to finish just the MVP.. so I’m thinking to work on something else small during Christmas time so it will feel rewarding/interesting/joyful.. watching Netflix doesn’t help much :D