MeruMeru

I am definitely moving to Linux this year. I'm a not a developer, but I am willing to tackle the learning curve. I have been a Windows user from my very first computer, my first internship was at Microsoft. But I am done with the directions they have taken these past years!

I understand. But since I have decided to reduce my time and energy dedicated to a company, I put this extra time and energy more towards my personal hobbies. I feel like I am living two lives in one day, at work I am detached and do only what's required, while outside work I am deeply invested in my things.

Thank you for your advice. I agree. I am still working and completing my tasks, so far I didn't give anyone any reason to complain about my work. But I would not put again the extra hours or extra creativity. I save money and live within my means. And I live in a country with great unemployment benefits if it happens again. When I got laid off, I didn't suffer financially thanks to our support system, but emotionally it was hard.

Partially agree. I still network, and actually found my current job thanks to my network. I still interact with ma colleagues, help them, socialize. But I try to keep some emotional distance. When I got laid off, my colleagues were also my close friends, so on top of the laid off turmoil I was living, I was sad I would no longer work with them.

Strongly agree with the author. I was laid off two years ago, and I am experiencing the same feelings he is describing: I no longer want to give my 100%, I no longer overcommit. I do the minimum required and feel emotionally detached from the company and my colleagues.

It's a waste that so many individual contributors who, as the author said, had good performance and were close to the users went through a laid off. Now a new generation of previously high achievers work force will get back in the market and no longer use all their potential for their job. Like it wasn't the fault of the new company that hired me, that now I do the bare minimum, they won't see the full potential I gave before. And I, I cannot prevent it. My work ethics and motivation died after the lay off.