Military life is intense, structured, all-in.
There are no half-measures, no part-time missions, no “clocking out.”
So when I left the Army and stepped into civilian life, I brought that same intensity with me. I thought I had to hustle 24/7 to prove myself in tech. I worked 12-hour days, skipped meals, ignored sleep.
Eventually, my mind and body pushed back.
That’s when I had to learn a lesson I wish I’d learned sooner:
Balance isn’t weakness. It’s strength.
What Balance Looks Like Post-Service
Balance doesn’t mean doing less.
It means doing what matters—without burning out.
For me, balance now looks like:
- Deep coding sprints in the morning
- Midday walks with my Great Dane
- Disconnecting after 6 PM (no more all-night commits)
- Time for community, friends, or just stillness
Why Veterans Struggle With Downtime
If you’re a vet, you might relate to this:
You don’t know how to rest.
You feel guilty when you’re not productive.
You chase adrenaline, deadlines, and dopamine.
But the truth is, your brain needs recovery time—especially after years of hyper-vigilance.
How My Dog Changed Everything
My Great Dane has been a huge part of my recovery. He slows me down—literally and figuratively. He reminds me that there’s value in being, not just doing.
He doesn’t care if I ship new features.
He cares if I show up.
In many ways, he taught me that presence is productivity.
How to Build Balance into a Tech Career
- Use a calendar—not just for meetings, but for rest and hobbies
- Walk outside daily (minimum 15 minutes)
- Have an end-of-day shutdown ritual
- Create rules for digital detox (no Slack after hours, no phone in bed)
- Don’t skip therapy, journaling, or sleep
Final Thoughts
You’re not in the field anymore.
You’re building something new—something sustainable.
Balance is how you protect your passion, so you can keep showing up with strength and purpose.
Join me at jameshenderson.online—where old rhythms evolve into new routines, and rest is part of the mission.