What do you do if you're feeling burnt out and lacking motivation in your computer science career?

Especially in this current market, trying to find a job can feel daunting when your inbox is filled with rejections. Sometimes, what I do when I am starting to feel unmotivated/burned out is take a "vacation" from my workplace apps like Slack and Linkedin. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and take a break. You cannot will a job into your hands so sometimes we must reframe our situations. Meditate and take the next few days slowly and journal constantly to rewire your brain to be able to soon enough, move forward.

Addressing burnout necessitates a thorough comprehension of its root causes. Is it the overwhelming workload, stringent deadlines, unrealistic expectations, unsatisfactory feedback, toxic workplace culture, outdated technology, or perhaps something else entirely? Honesty and specificity are paramount in identifying the factors sapping your energy and enthusiasm. Seek input from colleagues, managers, mentors, or friends to gain diverse perspectives on the matter. By pinpointing the sources of burnout, you can formulate targeted strategies to mitigate its impact and foster a healthier work-life balance. Remember, acknowledging and confronting burnout is the first step towards reclaiming your well-being and professional fulfillment.

I've found that having a work phone works wonders for me. Most modern phones will let you set a "do not disturb" mode on them with a schedule. I set them to my turn off notifications after working hours along with the weekend. This is in tandem with a similar schedule with my personal phone. Find something that works for you. If you work at home try to have a clear separation on where you work and where you sleep. Having this clear separation has done wonders for me in terms of stress, allowing me to switch off when appropriate.

I've personally found that when I'm stressed I eat and sleep a lot worse. It's hard to recognise it until it's a few weeks later and you realise you've put on a few kgs and maybe a few other nasty things. Talk to your team and discuss a break, if a few weeks is not possible, maybe a long weekend. Be honest and work with your team, be reasonable and explain that long term output and health will be better. If the answer is no... then I think there is a logical next step you should make after weighing your options.