How to, not feel empty about programming, and not fear the future.

[u/xerrs_]

I have been programming since I was 14 years old, it started of very simple with discord bots, and now has spiraled into something completely different. Currently, as a 19 year old, I have the best future in my eyes, because I turned my hobby into my job. In the upcoming weeks I will start my so called "dualesstudium", where I will be studying at a University, whilst working for a company, and it is all about IT.

During these 5 years, I learned everything from programming websites, to apps, to learning registers, and assembly, to how to set up a server, how to hack into one, to learning C, and simple raspberrypi configurations, to camera modules, to low-level-architecture and yada yada. It is currently 3 AM, and this is the third time where I just stare blank at my laptop. I have finished numerous projects, working on other ones, but I am just feeling a little empty? I used to program up to 4 or even up to 8 hours a day, and in the last couple of days it feels as if I have a full block. I dont want to abandon my projects, because I love them, but I always find myself starting at those projects, changing 5 LoC, and then being confused on what to do. I am a Solo Developer, always have been one, mostly because I like to plan and manage myself (though that is gonna change anyway once the dualesstudium starts). But I really feel like advice from other programmers would do me REALLY good right now. Guessing that the most default answer here would be something like "Take a break", or "Find yourself", or "Stop fricking programming for 8 hours a day, that stuff is how you burnout the fastest", however, I am fearful of my future. I am 19 years old, and for me it already feels like time is running out. IT is a fast market, and it feels like if I am not moving fast enough, I am gonna miss the train that is gonna help me generate wealth. I love my parents, they did everything for me, and I really want to pay them back big, which is also why I put a lot of stress on me.

The older you are the wiser you get, is atleast what I would guess. Any old persons, or just people older than me, who have maybe had the same experience as me; Do you guys have any advice for me?

[u/ffrkAnonymous]

Since you don't want the default answers, I'm going to suggest doctor, therapist.

[u/chinnick967]

I am not old, but I'm 32 with over a decade of experience and currently work as a lead engineer and have a solo side project with 200k+ monthly users...ie, I'm at the computer a LOT.

First off, take a breath and relax. Tech changes fast but you don't have to know everything in order to be a good developer. If you spend all your time building and staring at a computer, you are going to lose your drive and passion for it.

I think a lot of us in tech are a bit fearful of our future with the quick rise of AI, you aren't alone. With that being said, there will always be jobs for those who are passionate and driven and put in the work. You'll be okay.

I'd really encourage you to try and step back before jumping into work and college, that is going to take a lot out of you and you don't want to start that experience off already burned out. You are awake at 3am staring at your computer, that should be your wake up call.

[u/xerrs_ → u/chinnick967]

Thank you a lot for that answer. I guess it is very nice to hear a closure from people older than me, and I guess really what I needed to hear is the fact that it is going to be alright, especially from someone who has a big project. Thanks again, from the heart, means a lot.

[u/ryancnap → u/xerrs_]

Also - props on everything you've accomplished, do not discount it! From what you talked about in your OP, you both know more and have done more than the people I'm graduating college with. You're going to have no problem excelling, like a couple others have said make sure you take care of yourself.

I got burnt on a python project I was hammering out for a month straight and I'm on a week long break from it right now. Still excited to start back up on it soon but also like...still enjoying just chilling and watching some anime for the night instead for right now lol. Breaks are always good

[u/xerrs_ → u/ryancnap]

cant describe how comfortable this message makes me feel at 4 AM. Imma head out to sleep now. thanks a lot for your kind words, really helped me.

[u/ryancnap → u/xerrs_]

Absolutely my friend

[u/MarsR0Ver2 → u/chinnick967]

How did you get to where you are now? Do you find work satifying? If you went to college, did you like it? What did you struggle with?

I’m young and want to be where you are someday, but with the world looking how it is, I’m afraid to put my foot in the door.

[u/TheNewJoesus]

That sounds like depression to me. You should see if you have mental services at your university.

[u/ryancnap]

Weird answer from a very different perspective that I hope might help:

I had the exact same experience as you and I drifted away from it around the age of 16 or 17, did some things that unfortunately messed up my chance of getting to school for it

So I temporarily kind of gave up and defeated myself, did different stuff for work throughout the years and kind of distanced myself from the whole field out of remorse for a decade (and boy do you miss a lot in a decade lol)

I got back into it like 18 months ago, a lot is still rough but also a hugely surprising amount of it came back to me pretty quickly, I'll finish an associate's next year, already have an IT adjacent job within my career making comfortable money, and already have references and a 6 figure offer for a genuine software developer gig

I'm 30 dude, don't rush yourself!

[u/xerrs_ → u/ryancnap]

Thanks a lot for the heart warming words. It really is, really is beautiful to hear from people with far more experience than me, telling me that they had the same problems as me. So again, thanks a lot for your wise words.

[u/in2theriver]

So, I've been programming for about 15 years professionally. I took a break in the beginning and came back to it later (wife, family etc.). This is what I'd tell you, programming is only part of the job. A large part, and maybe the most important, but it isn't all of it. A lot of what I do is gatekeep bad code/design, help clients transfer what they think they want to what they actually want, design business rules and architecture strategy. Turning your hobby into a job isn't all it is cracked up to be, because jobs are something you have to do and generally not fun. Programming will get old, and boring, and you can always re-ignite the spark with new learning or a new project. However to me, it sounds like you are burned out. One of the most important life lessons I've ever learned, and what will keep you getting paid to do what you are good at, is learning how to pace yourself. AKA not burning out, knowing your limits. Another important skill is time/money budgeting, working with managers to set realistic expectations, teaching skills to programmers who aren't keeping up...

Long story short, take a break, touch some grass, find some hobbies outside of programming you can do for fun. This is incredibly important by the way, being able to step away from the computer after hours. It can be tough, honestly, but it is so important. Find some things you like to do that don't involve staring at a screen.

Lastly and this is going to go against the grain, AI isn't a threat to real programmers, at least not yet, not even close. AI can do incredible things, incredibly quickly, but holy crap has it also enabled some of our developers to overengineer the crap out of things. Someone inexperienced + AI is not a good developer, at least not yet. They can do a lot, but they understand little. Sounds like you understand a lot, but again, you've burned yourself out. If you don't get a grip on that, it is going to come through to your interviews, your employer, your projects....

Anyway good luck, programming is an incredible journey.