Anyone else have to work a low-stress simple job?

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I was working as a software engineer for a few years, but the stress of it was messing with my sleep (even though I was doing a good job at it), so i'm now doing much simpler retail work. I think the immaturity I have because of aspergers means I more meant for simple work (and then I can code and work on any ideas I have on the side). The downside to this is I'll probably only be making $20,000 or so a year now, but I can sleep much better. So anyone else here work simple jobs or downgrade jobs like I did? I'm a very idea-driven person (entrepreneurial) and so plan to just work simple retail jobs, and then pursue my ideas on the side.

You find retail simple?

I find it very difficult.

I'm a data-entry clerk and a library clerk. Very little stress there.

Retail gives me headaches. And the pay sucks.

Yep. I've worked very high stress, people-driven jobs in the past, and only lasted a few months. Even after I studied for one of them for over two years which completely sucked - got into the job and get to three months, and choke.
I think this may be one thing autistic adults have to come to terms with - we're not like everyone else, with the same capacity. I get burnout really bad and that very much relates to working. Pouring everything you have into an over-taxing job can't last forever. I can run hard for three months but after that, I'm useless.
That noted though, I don't believe autistics have to be stuck in menial jobs forever, if that's not what they want to do.
You just have to acknowledge this, and work it into the mix, as you mentioned. You may work a simple job in retail, and be able to maintain that, and have more flexibility around your entrepreneurial aspirations.
Plus being sensible about your job choices, and what is and is not realistic for you.
I worry about this with future job goals, though. It can be hard to judge. What others find extremely stressful, I often don't worry about at all. But what others find just everyday, I find torture.
How do you know what's simple and stress free, and what's not?

I'm a cleaner, and you'd think that would be a stress-free job, but it is nothing but stress. We are usually short-staffed, and we are expected to do more than humanly possible, and it is a care home for people with dementia and Alzheimer's, so anything can happen, for example, a pee on the floor.

When I first went for the job it sounded very simple, but it is not. I've often threatened to resign due to too much stress.

I did my civilian service (an alternative to the mandatory army service here in Finland) in a hospital, which could be a very hectic environment on occasion. Every day was different - I was never doing the same 8-hour routine on a daily basis. Strangely enough, that was one of the best things about that job to me. Now I'm working a similar job, and I love it just as much.

And the best thing: next to no stress in either job. Then again, I'm not the type of person that gets stressed very easily. At least I like to think so.

I worked on small crops farms when I was younger and found that job stress free and simple, although taxing physically at times.

That is a great idea working as a part-time. You make more money and you can sleep better. It is kind of a win win situation.

I think there's different types of stress... the stress I mean is the stress that comes from one's belief they can do the job really well or maturely (and without imperfections). When I was a software developer, I had a need to constantly be reading programming books (after work) and knowing everything... eventually this led to sleep issues. It's almost like my hyper-focus did me in. In a much simpler job like working at Starbucks, there's no need to "study on the side to be a perfect barista", so my need to specialize doesn't affect me (and cause me to lose sleep). It's like I have a need to specialize in something (and it can't be be than one thing). I see other programmers and they're just fine going to work, and they don't feel a need to do a bunch of studying after work... they just go to work, program, go home to wife and kids, rinse and repent...

So maybe I just need to find work that doesn't cause me to feel a need to study a lot after hours (which , combined with my aspergers, gives me lots of anxiety that I'm still not good enough, which makes me lose sleep)...

But those sorts of jobs might not earn you a good living (especially if you live in an expensive place).

There's only so much you could make----and suppose they want to make you manager? There are many more books about being a good manager as there is about being a good barista.

I'm going to be quite honest LOL.....I don't think I'd make a good barista. I'd probably screw up badly, and give my employers the impression that I have to read up about it

I edited my above response to include "maturity". It's like I don't feel like I'm mature enough for a career-oriented job (even if it appears I can do it competently enough). So even though I'm "smart", I kindof feel like I'm a child doing a grown-person's job. So to fix this I can do simple more routine jobs where the training is done on-the-job. Yes, this means less pay, and I could certainly be a manager one day (which still isn't really a "career" or something that has to be learned. Lots of people are managers and didn't go to school for management.). Thanks for the replies!

Also, noticed you live in Queens. I lived in Manhattan from 2013 until 2016 (106th st and Broadway, and then later at 17th st and 3rd ave). I had to move back to Florida because of chronic insomnia. I miss the bagels (David's bagels) and dollar slices of pizza...

Learn embedded programming? Our company can't find anybody. Embedded programming is usually written in C, and its the old school procedural, not object-oriented. Usually involves electronics/electrical engineering, and no surprise, lots of EE's do it.

Got to question the idea of dropping down to $20k job at your age. That is something more like someone who is 55 and has his/her retirement squared away. The time value of money they say. 'Pert', or P * exp(r*t), principal multiplied by the product of rate multiplied by time, raised to the power of e, the natural exponent. The sooner you start investing, the longer it has time to grow.

Many professions have to do continuous learning, for instance, medical doctors and accountants, to keep up with the field. And ... I didn't. I get paid well, but I am stuck, didn't keep up-to-date. I still know stuff that is industry-specific, but switching jobs could be hard at 54.

I need to get rid of that Avatar, the joke is over.

LOL...The only reason why the pizza is a dollar is because they put less ingredients in it! Less cheese, sauce, etc.

When I was a kid, you can get a slice and a coke for 35 cents LOL. And the pizza was really good, then! This was about 1970-1972 or so.

You lived in nice parts of Manhattan! Too bad you had to leave.

My brother moved to Ponte Vedra because of the high taxes of New York and New Jersey. My mother still lives in Queens. New York really is a much better place than it was when I was younger.

I hope you are able to find your niche soon. Perhaps, like others stated above, you can do consulting (maybe on he side at first, till you get your feet wet).

...To hijack this to me, if I am ever had fully employed, at least for a " day gig " , what could I do?
KK, you were speaking of regulations of how much you can earn without losing SSDI, or similar. Could you detail that, please
If I was ever employable, and in a more stable and healthier position (and not missing 30 teeth, bluntly, like ex-junkies tend to work for drug agencies and recovered allies tend to work for boozers'ones , would some sort of - low-level, no doubt - position w/some sort of Asppie/HL agency ?
I'd certainly need educatipn/credentials . And, perhaps approaching it this fesignedly isn't a good recommendation of doing it , if I am lacking in dedication .

_________________
Renal kidney failure, congestive heart failure, COPD. Can't really get up from a floor position unhelped anymore:-(.
One of the walking wounded ~ SMASHED DOWN by life and age, now prevented from even expressing myself! SOB.
" Oh, no! First you have to PROVE you deserve to go away to college! " ~ My mother, 1978 (the heyday of Andy Gibb and Player). I would still like to go.
My life destroyed by Thorazine and Mellaril - and rape - and the Psychiatric/Industrial Complex. SOB:-(! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !!

You get a little more leeway with SSDI than SSI. I'll have to read up on that. You can probably work maybe 15 hours a week without losing SSDI. Or you could go on the "ticket to work" program, where you can "try out" jobs and still receive your benefits.

They start deducting you SSI when you make about $200 per month (which is a very low income). If you make more than like $1,000 per month, you're out of SSI.