I've been coding on and off since the 90s and have a degree in it, but my day job isn't programming. Lately, I've been trying to work on a personal project that involves SVG, HTML, and JavaScript, but I'm hitting a wall. My brain just isn't cooperating, and I'm stuck on simple tasks like using getElementById and calculating coordinates for drawing. With work being stressful, I feel like I might just need a break. Anyone else experienced this mental block when coding?
4 Answers
I totally get that! I usually find myself struggling with these blocks during the day, but once it's late at night, my brain kicks into overdrive. I'll end up coding like crazy, but then it makes it hard to wind down for sleep later.
Haha, same! I try to avoid coding late too, my head just won't shut up with all the ideas.
This sounds familiar! I get this analysis paralysis too, especially when I feel tired. Taking breaks usually helps me—like grabbing coffee or going for a walk. Just breaking the cycle can help refocus my mind enough to tackle the next small step.
Whenever I find my mind wandering on potential problems, I take a mindfulness approach. I focus on the task at hand and try to evaluate options without getting bogged down by what could go wrong. Sometimes, just writing out a plan helps me get back on track.
That sounds like a solid plan! I also like the idea of handwriting my ideas down, it really clears my head.
This could be linked to ADHD—I find it hard to stay focused too. When I hit a block, I'm starting to use AI tools to help outline my thoughts or guide me through the next steps. It makes a big difference for me when feeling stuck.
I can relate—11pm is my prime coding time after a couple of beers, but the questionable choices really start rolling in after midnight!