Be my guest. I am an older (41) but have been in tech since 1998, my first job was a local tech shop writing apps in ColdFusion…I built software for a long time before going into cybersecurity. My hobbies and interests have changed, but having that switch you can flip and just transport yourself completely to something else is amazing. It helps you have perspective and not let work stuff become your whole universe.

Even the author of this article fell into that trap IMO. Of course the whole article was about them recognizing it. They felt their work was super important and let it slowly eat their life. You get so invested in promotions and grinding things out, making projects look good for promotions. It is all toxic as heck. Like, when you see that happening just, stop. Who knows what will happen, but at least you won’t lose yourself. You may not get promoted as fast, but on a difficult project being eaten by politics that is likely anyway, our own heroics can’t overcome inertia like that.

Work isn’t worth it. Do right by the project, but just stop caring about it so much. Sorry, older tech survivor rant over. But, yeah, take care of yourselves, the golden FAANG chains aren’t worth your health :)