Thanks for the kind words, I'm absolutely not depressed ! I'm very happy with my life outside of work. Some days I even feel euphoric being lucky as I am, being able to play my favorite sport and having a loving family.

I'm only trying to optimize by reducing the time spent working and thinking about work, which I never see bringing me anything else than money.

It's funny to see the guy thinking you were depressed. You seem actually very excited to myself, not just excited about some boring coding job like most of the people in HN are.

Wish you success in that endeavour!

What would you recommend?

I identified myself way too much in OP's post. I'm in my mid-20s, have a job as a consultant DevOps engineer in a boring fintech company, in a project that I think will fail. I'm full-remote atm, and I'm already doing the least amount of work that I can do without it being noticed.

I'm really good at programming (based on feedback of my co-workers), and I like doing side-projects (usually video-game related). I can't stop thinking everyday that I'm wasting my skills on, as OP stated, useless software. I'm not sure that I'm not being a diva, though.

I'm currently taking the steps to go to a 4/5th schedule, but I'm not sure it will make it any better. I'll have more time to do what my want (side-projects + hobbies), but I'm not sure it will solve what I feel deep down.

In my experience shifting to a 4/5 schedule won't cure your burn-out. You need to take a vacation, 1-2 week vacation, to really get rid of that burn-out feeling and "recharge" yourself. And if you come back and within a week or 2 feel that dread feeling again, then it's time to move on and find something else. As everyone else has said, being unhappy ever day is no way to live life.

There's a truckload of options, really. Get more into side projects while ignoring/minimizing job tasks, like OP. Try to find jobs that relate closer to what you like (that's the great thing in being a dev, you can switch jobs or roles rather effortlessy, if you have CV that proves you are generally experienced). Find more interesting things within your field, or even current role. Simply switch to a nicer company. Get into charity work. Monetize a hobby, start a venture - even besides an existing job. And so on.

One thing is important, is that you HAVE to deal with this problem, however convenient it seems to just let things as they are, and "not think about it". OP was really great at recognizing that there is a specific issue to be solved here.

I think you're feeling some depression/ennui because you don't care for this particular job. I had similar issues years ago which went away almost immediately after switching jobs. I'd suggest just trying to find a devops job elsewhere at a company you think isn't making something totally pointless.

Start a software startup in your free time? Pick a passion and run with it, maybe even try to make a business (or non-profit out of it)?

Thanks for writting this. This is how I feel for two years and having a random stranger on Internet being able to describe it and says `The world can be a great place with the right view` is reconforting.

> but please think about it first

This is not an adequate advice for somebody who has a family to support.

I'd argue that for the most of us, once we go beyond 18-19 years old we can no longer afford to "think about it first" all the way to retirement age.

So I am really not sure what actionable point you're making here. "Find a better job", maybe? Yeah, a lot of us are trying that. I guess it's filter bubbles thing because I keep being contacted by HR agencies and companies that I want nothing to do with.

I think the poster you’re responding to is just asking the person to check in with themselves about where they’re at mentally. The original post sounds a lot like myself when I was burnt out and depressed. Sometimes when you’re in that state, you’re looking for a bandaid rather than a fix for the things you’re feeling. I thought it was valid advice, even though it sounds like the original poster is very happy outside their job.

Sounds like you might be burnt out yourself looking for a different job? It’s tough to know you’re a good worker, but feel like companies are passing you up. I’m sorry if you’re going through that. Hang in there. It can take a while, but it gets better eventually!

Sure, I am mostly saying that depending on their situation they might not be able to afford to make the right call that will serve their mental health. I feel the crowd in HN is very privileged and regularly are lacking this perspective so I feel the need to point it out.

Thank you for the kind words. I am severely burned out indeed and always fatigued but at least I went to the doctors and have a few examinations due. It's a start.