I've been working as a software developer for about three years now, and I recently hit a wall. A few months ago, I was transferred to a new team due to staffing needs, and it wasn't my choice. This new environment has been incredibly challenging. I'm stuck dealing with a complicated legacy project and facing poor development conditions, including insufficient hardware and relentless pressure from other teams. What should be simple tasks often balloon into major projects, and despite my efforts to report the technical issues slowing us down, nothing seems to change. Management just keeps pushing us to work harder, which feels incredibly frustrating. The culture here is toxic, with an unhealthy expectation of overtime. I used to regularly work unpaid extra hours during the week, but I’ve been trying to set boundaries. Unfortunately, late-night deployments are still a norm, sometimes dragging on until 3 or 4 AM because our work is dependent on other teams. Even after all the unpaid hours, we’re still expected to work weekends to meet deadlines that often feel unrealistic. The requirements keep changing, and tasks are frequently revised, which adds to the chaos. Instead of addressing these planning issues, the solution always seems to be to ask us to put in more hours. What’s even more disheartening is the way pressure is applied. Colleagues have made me feel guilty for not working unpaid overtime, suggesting that I’m not pulling my weight. It feels like I’m being publicly shamed for wanting to maintain my free time and set basic boundaries. At one point, the stress became so overwhelming that I would wake up feeling nauseous just at the thought of work. Now, I find myself completely unmotivated. I only do what I’m explicitly asked to do, and sometimes I’d rather just stare at a wall than engage with my work. The thought of being unemployed has even started to feel comforting, which is alarming. I’ve begun to question if all those years spent studying engineering and building a career in software were worth it. Finding another job seems daunting, especially with the current economic climate and ongoing tech layoffs. At this point, I’m not even interested in promotions or career growth; I just want a stable job where I can finish my hours and enjoy my life. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Did changing jobs help you, or should I consider leaving software development altogether? I would really appreciate any honest advice.