Consider that COVID is part of it. I was enjoying myself at work until it hit and then my motivation and desire to learn new things plummeted. I decided to take a sabbatical to recharge and it took a few months before I could enjoy writing code again.
I just didn't realize I was burnt out by the world in general.
I feel this so much. But I can’t take a sabbatical - I have to pay bills.
I basically work everyday and tell myself “just one more hour and then I’ll take off the rest of the day”. I do that every hour until I get as close to 5 as possible.
I’ve been like this for over a year. This is my life. I try not to think about it.
A sabbatical now may stave off not being able to work for months or years later. Possibly sooner than you think.
Another option is to dial back on committments and intensity, possibly with a reduction in income. It's no a full work cessation, but it is preserving sanity and intellectual capacity.
If your finances are stretched now, start cutting. Deep, hard, and fast.
If you've a partner, involve them in this discussion.
I can, but my wife works so hard and she would be so angry if i burned through our savings. I wouldn’t blame her. Also my kids work so hard at school. If I stopped working, it would be a terrible example.
I just didn't realize I was burnt out by the world in general.