Meditations on Software - Reflections on Career, Burnout, and Growth

Explore the profound insights of Vaidehi Joshi's keynote address from RailsConf 2022, delving into the multifaceted world of software development and its impact on personal well-being. Discover the journey from Rails Girls to THE // FLATIRON SCHOOL, and uncover the sociotechnical aspects of the industry. Examine the challenges of burnout, imposter syndrome, and work-related stress, while learning strategies to overcome these obstacles. Gain valuable perspectives on refactoring, sprinting, and the importance of social support in the tech world. Reflect on finding purpose and value in your work, and understand the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Learn to recognize the signs of burnout, implement self-care techniques, and conduct personal post-mortems for growth. Embrace the concept of being the Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) of your career, and gain insights on how to navigate the broader landscape of the tech industry beyond individual jobs.

Intro
Meditations on Software
Rails Girls
THE // FLATIRON SCHOOL
Sociotechnical
Try and fix it all
The worst version of myself
There was no coming back
Chronic, work- related stress
Meditative
Imposter syndrome
Insecurities
Cautious
Coming out of burnout
Lose meaning
Refactoring
The building itself
Sprinting
A lack of social support
Purpose and value
Pay attention to your body and mind
Remember your agency
Hotfix for burnout
Don't skip the post-mortem
Decouple yourself from the work
Work is just one part of life
Careers are bigger than jobs
Being the DRI of Your Career