For the past several years, Eddie has been on a steady climb in his career as a developer, but recently, he found himself at a crossroads — caught between the weight of his responsibilities and the desire to pursue his true passions.
His journey began with a three-month internship as a web developer, which led to nearly four years in an application developer role. After that, he spent almost a year as a systems associate, managing tasks across systems analysis, quality assurance, and business analysis. Eventually, he returned to full-time software development for another two years before transitioning into more complex roles. For over a year, he worked as a multi-role software developer and database administrator before stepping into his current position as a senior software developer, database administrator, and cloud administrator — occasionally handling security tasks as well. Now, with over 8 years of professional experience, he also leads a small team of developers, which has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
Despite all these achievements, Eddie is starting to feel burnt out. He loves developing APIs — it’s something he could do forever — but lately, it feels more like a hobby he’d rather enjoy on the side than the centerpiece of his professional life.
He feels pressured by the expectations to keep pushing, work harder, or seek higher-paying opportunities abroad. Eddie envies those who can simply resign, take a break, and still get by. For him, even the thought of resting feels impossible — there’s always something that needs to be done. Some weekends, he does nothing but stay in bed, watch movies, or play games, only to have Monday arrive and the cycle repeat.
Switching jobs isn’t easy for him either. The transition period might leave him unable to get by, and he doesn’t want to depend on support during that time. It’s a risk he’s not in a position to take, even though he knows a change might bring some relief.
Amidst all this pressure, he found solace in something unexpected: writing. Eddie started creating articles and guides, and for the first time in a long while, he felt genuinely excited about something. Technical writing seemed like the perfect career shift — blending his love for tech with his newfound passion for writing. He began seriously considering a career change.
But reality hit hard. Technical writing, while fulfilling, wouldn’t offer the financial stability he needs. He can’t afford to make that leap, no matter how much he wants to. His responsibilities still outweigh his personal desires.
At the same time, he doesn’t blame anyone for the situation he’s in. He’s not wishing that he had been born into a different life. In fact, he’s thankful for the opportunities he’s had, knowing he’s done the best he can. It’s just that the weight of these responsibilities, combined with his personal goals, can feel overwhelming at times.
So, where does that leave Eddie?
For now, he’s staying in his current role, continuing to do what he’s good at, while also finding ways to balance his love for writing on the side. Even though he can’t switch careers, he can still pursue what he loves. Maybe that’s the lesson he needed to learn — you don’t always need a drastic change to find happiness. Sometimes, it’s about finding small ways to incorporate your passions into your life.
To those who feel similarly — those burdened by responsibility but still craving fulfillment — remember that you don’t have to give up on what you love. It’s about finding a balance, even if the steps are small. You can still pursue your passions while fulfilling the roles that life demands of you.
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