> Can I ask why you went for TW rather than dev? I ask because I almost used that as a cop-out once because I was overwhelmed by the technical interviews, etc. required for being a dev.
Because they're the one that gave me the offer. I don't have any particular preference or disdain for technical writing; it's entirely possible that my next job will be as a developer.
> Also, the last 2 years have been rough. Are you getting enough social connection?
Hi, all. Thanks for your responses. I'll reply to some of them individually, but I'll address some common themes here.
First, some extra information that I had forgotten to include earlier:
- I don't consume weed daily. Just once a week. (Granted, a lot of it.) Also, I don't smoke it, I use edibles.
- I am medicated for ADHD and anxiety. I currently take Ritalin and Zoloft.
- I do not go out of my way to irresponsibly combine these medications with anything (e.g. I don't grind it up and snort it). It's possible that having this combination in my body has worked against me in ways that went over my head.
- I don't drink or smoke.
- I am currently in a PIP at work. The PIP finishes at the end of this week, so it's entirely possible I'll be canned anyway. (Not that I'll take it lying down, but that's a separate Ask HN.)
- I'm single.
- I don't live alone. I live with my parents and brother. I've shown my parents this thread, and their advice is largely consistent with what we've read here.
- My current job is the first I've had since grad school (I finished with a Master's in computer science in December of 2018).
- Since graduation I've been working on my game full-time, at least until I started my current job.
- I have been eating more lately. I could stand to drop 15 pounds or so.
Now, here's what I'm gonna do in the near future:
- Abstain from marijuana, at least for the month of August. What I do after then will depend on how my mood changes.
- Coincidentally, this Thursday I'm seeing my doctor about adjusting my prescription. I might even switch to something else. (This was planned even before my thread this morning.)
- My employer's health benefits include a subscription to Talkspace, so I'll give that a try.
- I'm going to exercise more. I bought Ring Fit Adventure a few weeks ago, but now I'll integrate it into my morning routine more stringently. I've already got a week-long streak.
I'm still open to other ideas, though.
Separating my creative output (not necessarily from my day job) from my sense of self-worth will probably be necessary as well, although I don't have a plan for actually doing so.