I've been programming since I was 14, starting with simple chat bots and gradually exploring web and mobile development, C, assembly, low-level architecture, servers, security, Raspberry Pi projects, and more. Now I'm 19 and about to begin a five-year work-and-university IT program, so I'm grateful that my hobby is becoming my career.
Lately, though, I've been feeling strangely empty and mentally blocked. I used to code for four to eight hours a day and still feel motivated, but recently I've been staring at my projects for hours, changing a few lines, and then losing track of what to do next. I enjoy my projects and don't want to abandon them, but I'm worried that this lack of energy means I'm falling behind.
I also feel a lot of pressure to succeed financially and eventually give back to my parents. Technology changes quickly, and at only 19 I already feel as though I'm running out of time to build a successful future. I know taking a break may be the obvious advice, but I'm afraid that slowing down will make me miss important opportunities.
Has anyone with more experience dealt with this kind of emptiness, burnout, or fear about the future? How did you learn to pace yourself and stay motivated without giving up on programming?
2 Answers
This sounds like more than ordinary loss of motivation and could be burnout, depression, or both. Consider speaking with a doctor, counselor, or mental-health service through your university. You don’t have to diagnose yourself or wait until things become severe before asking for help.
Don’t rush yourself. I moved away from programming as a teenager and spent about a decade feeling like I had ruined my chances. When I returned around 30, a surprising amount came back quickly. I’m now finishing an associate degree, working in an IT-related role, and have strong references and a promising software offer.
You’re only 19. A slower period now won’t determine your entire career, and even a long break doesn’t necessarily erase what you’ve learned.
That’s genuinely encouraging. It helps a lot to hear from someone who stepped away and still managed to build a good career later.