Should I Leave Software Development or Work Through My Anxiety?
Asked by
MellowCactus47
I work as a software developer and enjoy coding, but the pressure is making me increasingly anxious. I worry about making mistakes, being criticized, missing deadlines, and not being good enough at my job. I often lose sleep over work and wonder whether I should quit IT entirely or try to manage these fears and continue. I'm also considering whether a different kind of work might suit me better, while still keeping coding as a hobby. Has anyone dealt with something similar?
Answers
Before making a major career decision, try to figure out whether the problem is this particular workplace or anxiety that follows you from job to job. A therapist or doctor could help you understand what’s going on and give you tools to handle the fear of mistakes, criticism, and deadlines. You don’t have to keep living in a constant state of dread, and getting support doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Reply to this answer
Try not to treat “I’m anxious” as proof that you’re bad at programming. Anxiety can make ordinary feedback and deadlines feel like evidence that everything is about to go wrong. Some people need therapy, medication, better boundaries, or a combination of those things. It may be worth addressing the anxiety first, then deciding whether software development itself is the problem.
Reply to this answer
It may be worth exploring practical changes before quitting completely: a less intense team, a company with more realistic deadlines, reduced hours, or a role with less pressure. Plenty of developers struggle with confidence, and making mistakes is a normal part of the work. If your mental health is being affected, also look into whether your location offers mental-health leave or other workplace support.
Reply to this answer
Leaving software development can be the right choice if the work genuinely doesn’t suit you. I left an IT role after several years and moved into CNC work. I’m much less mentally exhausted now, which actually gives me enough energy to code for a few hours as a hobby. A different career doesn’t have to mean giving up coding forever; it can let you enjoy it without deadlines and performance pressure.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
MellowCactus47: That’s the kind of option I’m trying to understand. I like coding, but I’m not sure I’d stay consistent with it as a hobby if I stopped working in the field. What does your CNC work involve day to day?