[always_good]

I think I have some lasting trauma for the year I was on call.

I still have nightmares that I'm getting woken up into a hellish situation to fix code I've never seen at 3am. Or that I'm out on a date or having a beer or trying to enjoy my life when I get called.

I remember the constant state of anxiety just knowing I could be called. Couldn't even wind down watching a movie much less read a book. I quit when I realized I felt a sense of relief commuting to work the next morning because I wouldn't have to field an emergency by myself.

I also remember fantasizing about being a cafe barista or security guard that year. Waited way too long to get out.

[cl0ne]

I did that for a few years, although your job sounds a bit more stressful than mine was most of the time. I never got paid extra, but the job had some nice perks.

I am way happier now that I don't have to carry my laptop with me 24/7 and worry about taking it out while on a date or running off to find a hallway or corner to sit in and do work during the middle of a movie or concert. Sometimes I'd even get an emergency phone call during my commute and have to pull off the freeway to work.

[rconti]

Done it for at least 10 years, and I gotta say, as soon as I stopped, the anxiety MOSTLY went away.

That said, just the other day (after 18 months off), I twitched a bit when my text message notification went off.

And of course, it affects everyone differently.

[EZ-E]

> I think I have some lasting trauma for the year I was on call.

I can relate, I get big anxiety rush anytime my phone rings ever since.