Finding a balance

If there is one thing I have always struggled with, is finding a balance between being a full time software engineer and being an open source contributor & maintainer... and a human being.

In this new 'status quo' where most of us are going fully remote, this balance may be even harder to reach; what'd I'd like to share with you are a few macro concepts and a couple micro actionables that helped me in the last couple years.

Transcript

1. ⚖ FINDING A BALANCE Sharing an experience of open source, software and mental health
2. – Literally everyone “Who the eff are you?”
3. I AM 3 •Software Engineer @ Formidable (London) •React Native core maintainer •ProvidedAsIs (London) organiser @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Lorenzo Sciandra - @kelset
4. OR AM I? 4 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf I’m an Open Source maintainer I have experienced burnout 1 time (and a half) I have been seeing a therapist once a week for over 2 years Also: not an expert in mental health! This talk is highly subjective and you should totally reach out to a therapist if you feel that you are struggling.
5. A PROBLEM IN OPEN SOURCE 5 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Tweet posted with the consent of the author
6. NOW EVEN WORSE 6 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Couldn’t find the original author for attribution, sorry
7. WHAT I WANT TO DO 7 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf 2 Macro Concepts + 3 Micro Actionables =
8. LETS TALK MACRO 8 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf
9. MACRO #1 9 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf “THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.” - the MIT license. And all the other ones.
10. PROVIDED AS IS 10 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf As a maintainer: You don’t own anything to anyone. But respect your community. As a citizen: You are not entitled to any support. Be more proactive. Read more at: Open Source Maintainers Owe You Nothing
11. MACRO #2 11 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf “We are more hurt by our own expectations of other people than by their actions”
12. SENSE OF SELF 12 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf A lot of issues in open source are caused by people “turning off” their sense of self. Try being more aware of your feelings and emotions, and try to understand where they are coming from. This is hard. Having a therapist helped me a lot with this.
13. LETS TALK MICRO 13 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Some may be polarising takes, please be gentle
14. MICRO #1 14 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Remove (almost) all notifications
15. ALL THE NOTIFICATIONS 15 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf (that are just noise) No emails No push notifications Exceptions: Whatsapp, Telegram
16. MICRO #2 16 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Do open source in small bursts within hours of daily work (if you can)
17. SMALL SPARKS 17 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Don't dedicate full hours (unless strictly necessary). Normalise to yourself that it’s actual work. (and you don’t do it on weekends!) Reduce the risk of “tunneling” because of the boundary. Also: getting involved little by little in OSS you consume is the best way to start.
18. MICRO #3 18 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Free time !== Open Source time
19. SOME SUGGESTIONS 19 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Do Tai Chi in VR Watch Bojack Horseman Make your bedroom a phone-free zone Sleep at least 8 hrs per night Exercise Watch Matt D’Avella, Anna Akana, MPJ, Mayuko vids on YouTube Meditate Take a note of something that bothers you then set it on fire Take vitamines Get a pet Burn candles & incenses Play video games Learn something not CS-related
20. TO SUM IT UP 20 @kelset @FormidableLabs #WFHConf Open Source can be beautiful when “enjoyed responsibly” Improve your sense of self Set boundaries
21. THANK YOU 21 #WFHConf React out: @kelset (open DMs) - email: notkelset@kelset.dev Please take care of yourself. If you are struggling, reach out to someone. US http://samhsa.gov/ http://psychologytoday.com/ UK https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-mental-health https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ Thanks to: @NearForm - @FormidableLabs