You sound like my wife ;)

I don't know how to not care. I've been writing software since I was a teenager and it's always been a central part of my life. I've always cared and that care is partly what made me successful (or so I believe). But it definitely is also what's stressing me out... I've always seen work as basically being able to be paid to practice my hobby though as well all know(?) your fun hobby becomes less fun when it's work.

I remember having lunch with a co-worker who was saying something along the lines that he's never really wanted to code and the only reason he's doing it (got a degree and a career) is for the money and I didn't understand how that was even possible ;)

I assume because you literally spend most of your life there, and if it doesn't mean something, that is ... awful?

I mean, there have been times / places in history where you work so that you have enough money to not die; and you enjoy your life with whatever pittance is left afterward.

I doubt anyone reading this website is in such a time or place.

Well, I care about raises. I can coast along in my current role, but I want more money, so I need to do impactful work.

If I can earn more on some side work or investment and those earnings are stable enough, then I too will not care about work.