u/virus_kittu

I really want to quit smoking, but I'm struggling.

I've managed to reduce the number of cigarettes I smoke, and for a day or two I feel confident that I'm finally getting control over it. But then the next day I end up smoking the same amount again, as if all the progress disappeared.

This cycle keeps repeating. Reduce for a few days, feel motivated, then fall back into old habits. It's frustrating because I genuinely want to quit, but I feel stuck.

Has anyone else gone through this? What helped you break the cycle and quit for good? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Everyone,

I have around 5 years of experience in IT, primarily in L2 Production Support. I also have knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, SQL, Linux, and troubleshooting backend applications.

Recently, I've become interested in Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) because it seems to combine software engineering, automation, cloud technologies, monitoring, and operations.

I am considering transitioning from my current support-oriented role into an SRE position. My long-term goal is to move into a more technical and engineering-focused career path rather than remaining in traditional support roles.

I would appreciate advice from experienced SREs:

Is SRE a good career choice in 2026 and beyond?

How does the career growth compare with Java Backend Development?

What skills should I focus on first (Linux, Python, Cloud, Kubernetes, Terraform, Monitoring, etc.)?

Does my L2 support background provide any advantage when moving into SRE?

If you were in my position, would you choose SRE or continue toward Backend Java Development?

Thanks in advance for your guidance and insights.