Burnout Post / Happy New Years
Tags: break, webdev, selfcare, careerdevelopment
Published: 2024-01-14 20:47:43

I **_must_** make that commit; I **_must_** fix that error tonight; I _**must**_ finish this project; I **_must_** keep my GitHub chart green
![A cartoon man stressing out about work while using the computer](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2u8r2lk4uv6bkes8tv55.png)
## **Take a break**

I did.

Nearing the end of 2024, I postponed working on my latest project ([Next Meal](https://next-meal-cookbook.vercel.app)).

Next Meal had gotten to a place where I could be proud of what I had learned and accomplished. After more than 6 months on the job search, several months unemployed working on Next Meal and other projects - I had to go back to work. 

### Breaks are good for you

During my break, I took the opportunity to reflect on my initial motivation for becoming a web developer as well as the significant progress I've made along the way.

When I caught a mental glimpse at how much I had learned from the beginning of my journey to where I am now, I was blown away. I am so happy with where my work is at as a web developer now that I am ready to commit more publicly. I am looking to work with opensource projects or groups of individuals with a common interest. 

Before my break, I was starting to get very tired of working towards seemingly nothing. I was tired of not hearing any positive news with my job search, and I was losing hope.

Flash forward to a couple of months later, and my head is back in the game. I have been working a different job while taking a break from web development, so my mind is still _sharp_ and ready.

I took from the break, **most importantly**, that I need time to reflect on my achievements and successes, _especially_ when I am experiencing failure. My work is important, but it is important that I am well enough to continue caring for my work. It is important, for me, that I recognize my progress and even celebrate it - for it is a step in the journey towards the end goal. 

### Going back to work

I started working as a delivery driver for Amazon once again, and took a break from my studies at the end of October. Here and there, I would sit at my computer and change a couple of things on my portfolio to keep it up to date, but other than that I was taking a strategic mental pause. 

Here we are in 2024, a new year with amazing possibilities ahead of each of us. **I am back** to claim what I have been working so hard for in these previous years. 

### My goals for 2024

- Meet new people

- Find a new mentor (maybe?)

- Explore new and updated technologies

- Be the best father I can be to my new son

- Find a job that pushes me to learn new things

### My plans for 2024

- Continue improving my work on Next Meal

- Continue keeping my portfolio up to date

- Be more active on LinkedIn

- Interact with groups of individuals on open sourced projects

- Continue my job search for a position as a web developer


![Fireworks generated by OpenAI's DALL-E](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6b1kl65l7ltrdhhd3h3k.png)

I hope that everyone had wonderful holidays in 2023, and an amazing new year so far -  I know I have. I am so excited for what this year has to bring, yet. 

If you have not seen my work check, be sure to check out 

- [Clif Codes Portfolio](https://clif.codes)

- [Next Meal](https://next-meal-cookbook.vercel.app)