Work is not everything

I am an iOS developer. I work full-time on a game project, eight hours a day. My experience and qualifications allow me to feel calm. But programming is more than just work for me.

It is important for me to constantly update my knowledge and follow how software development evolves. As a result, about three more hours of learning are added to my main job every day. This can be reading documentation, building pet projects, or exploring new directions. The form may change, but the essence is the same — all of this requires time, energy, and focus.

All these complex tasks and advanced topics take up 11 hours every day. That is a lot. And without a clear schedule, this kind of routine can easily lead to burnout.

Anti-burnout is not a one-time action

When I was younger, things were simpler. While studying for my master’s degree, working at the same time, and learning new things at night, occasional days off really helped. Youth allows you to ignore fatigue more easily.

Over time, both my approach to work and the work itself have changed. The depth of learning became different. If earlier I was learning how to write variables, now I study algorithms, data structures, and architecture. Work tasks also became more complex — more fundamental problems that require up-to-date knowledge and constant attention.

And all of this still happens within the same 11 hours every day. In this situation, a random day off no longer solves the problem. A system is needed.

My anti-burnout plan

Over time, I developed a clear structure that helps me stay productive without constant pressure and exhaustion:

• Daily level — no more than 11 hours of programming per day. After that, only family and activities I enjoy.
• Weekly level — 5 working days and 2 days off. No programming on weekends.
• Half-year level — two weeks of vacation every six months. No work and no staying connected.

It is important to note that I work remotely. This schedule is designed for remote work and may differ from an office routine.

Daily level: what a normal day looks like

For a remote worker, it is important to start the day with work. Breaks and other activities come later. This kind of start already gives several hours of productive work.

During the day, pauses appear naturally. Between main work and learning, a proper reset is required — without it, new information is simply not absorbed. Learning itself, whether it is pet projects or something else, usually goes without breaks. It is my hobby and something I genuinely enjoy.

As for activities during the day, the key point is that they should be personal — something that truly helps you rest. I have two such activities.

Activity #1. baCist — bass guitar from a programmer

I cannot imagine my life without music. I have been playing bass guitar for a long time. This activity truly calms me down, helps me recover, and gives me energy.

During the workday, these are short 5–10 minute breaks just to groove. After all the work and learning, I usually spend about an hour playing calmly and learning something new.

Activity #2. Daily physical activity

For me, this is a simple walk close to a workout: 5–6 kilometers at a fast pace, with a heart rate above 100. This is a daily practice, including weekends. On weekends, I just walk longer and more calmly.

The most important thing is not to stop and to take care of yourself every day. The type of activity can be different for everyone, but the fact that a programmer needs regular physical activity is obvious to me.

Two days off in a row is mandatory

Even with a good daily schedule, the last working day of the week still feels heavy. That is why two days off in a row are essential for me. During this time, I completely exclude programming. Usually, this includes:

• calm walks
• bass guitar
• cooking
• football
• sleep

This is enough to start a new week with a sense of freshness, not resistance.

Two weeks of vacation without work or connection

Just like the end of the workweek, the last month before a vacation feels especially heavy. This is where the need for a two-week break appears — a break with no mentions of programming at all.

Even though my work is something I love, it is important for me to fully disconnect from development at least twice a year. Changing the environment and traveling helps the most.

This is also where the travel direction of this website comes from. I have accumulated many places and travel stories that I genuinely want to share.

Anti-burnout is not procrastination

An anti-burnout plan is not laziness and not an attempt to avoid work. It is a way to preserve energy for long-term, stable work on something you truly enjoy.

Everyone can have their own approach, their own intervals, and their own forms of rest. But one thing is clear: such a strategy is necessary. And it is essential if you want to stay productive seriously and for a long time.

I am also curious — do you have any habits, activities, or systems that help you avoid burnout?