Feeling Burned Out from Coding – What Should I Do?

It's worth considering what specifically makes you dislike programming now. Is it the long hours, the pressure, or something else? Figuring that out could be the first step in addressing your burnout and finding joy in it again.

Whenever I feel burned out, I take a break and give my brain some time to reset—typically a couple of weeks. Once I return, I dive back in, but only for short fun sessions like building games or crafting little personal projects. Start small and focus on what brings you joy in coding!

Burnout can hit anyone, even the best of us. Sometimes it just comes down to needing a break—taking a longer mental pause can be key. Engaging in different hobbies or even just going outdoors can help you reset. Remember, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable pieces can also help alleviate some of the stress. Just because someone else has achieved something groundbreaking does not mean you have to be hard on yourself!

Reversing burnout often means finding a project that excites you! Even completing tiny tasks can create a sense of achievement and mend that burnout feeling. But don’t hesitate to take a step back if needed. Activities like walking or reading can help recharge your mind. It can take time – months even – but pushing through projects you’re not passionate about will usually only make things worse. Maybe exploring something like UI or product design could also be the spark you need!

It might help to reflect on what parts of programming you actually enjoy versus what you don't. Many find parts like IT support and meetings kind of tedious, but still love coding itself. There are different types of programming, like web development or systems programming, and discovering what excites you could make a difference. If it's coding as a whole that you dislike, that’s a bigger concern, but achieving those small coding milestones feels rewarding and can help lift your mood!