What do you do if your software development career is taking a toll on your personal life?

One thing I have found helpful is to find your own optimal work time, the time when you are the most fresh, and block that time out to get things done. This has allowed me to get more done in less time, because my most fresh time of day is set aside for distraction free work. Make sure to get buy-in from your team and superiors first, and then protect that time. I've found that most people are supportive and respectful of that focus time, so long as you're up front about what you're doing and why.

In my experience, setting boundaries is crucial for protecting your personal life. It's about deciding when you work and when you don't. It's also about telling others when you're available and when you're not. Saying no to things that are too much is also important. When you work, try not to do other things at the same time. This helps you keep work and personal life separate. It also stops you from taking on too much and not finishing things properly.

Balancing a software development career with personal life is often challenging. When I noticed the toll it was taking on my physical and mental health, I set firm boundaries for work hours and dedicated time for personal activities. I practiced to manage my energy by taking regular breaks. Pair programming on tasks when possible also helped me avoid burnout. Most importantly, I made time for activities I loved - gaming and hiking, ensuring my personal life remained rich and fulfilling alongside my career.

Managing your energy is really important, especially when you work in software development. It can be tiring, both mentally and physically. So, it's crucial to take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and take breaks when you need them. You can also try techniques like deep breathing to help you stay focused and reduce stress. When you manage your energy well, you'll be more productive, creative, and in a better mood, which means you'll have more to give to your family and friends.

Sometimes, we try to do everything ourselves or control every little detail. But this can lead to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Delegating means giving some tasks to others so you can focus on what you're best at. It also helps your team members grow and feel empowered. To delegate well, you need to figure out which tasks you can give to others, choose the right people for those tasks, and explain what needs to be done clearly. When you delegate effectively, you can lighten your workload, improve teamwork, and become a better leader.

Seeking support is really important, especially in software development where it can feel lonely and stressful, especially if you work remotely or in a competitive environment. That's why it's a good idea to reach out to your peers, mentors, friends, and family. You can join online or offline communities of developers, participate in forums, podcasts, or webinars, or attend meetups, hackathons, or conferences. Don't be afraid to ask for help or share your challenges. By seeking support, you can learn new things, feel more confident, and build stronger connections with others.

I don't think this problem is unique to any specialty. Especially in this era, where we're experience an extreme lack of disconnect and that can be very cumbersome. You need to ensure that your environment is in line with your aspirations and personality. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want and what you need, and better yet pursuing it. Finding the right balance for you is always a challenge, but once you do is always very rewarding. Generally content online can't really help you achieve this, you'll find very unsatisfying and sometimes unrelatable regurgitated copy paste content. I'd recommend even talking to career advisors and coaches, that have probably helped people in your same circumstances before :)