Feeling Burned Out and Anxious About the Future at 19
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MellowCedar47
I started programming at 14 by making simple chat bots, and over the years I've worked on websites, apps, servers, security, C, assembly, Raspberry Pi projects, and low-level systems. Now I'm 19 and about to begin a five-year work-and-university IT program, which should be an exciting next step. Instead, I've been feeling strangely empty and unable to focus. I used to code for four to eight hours a day, but lately I can spend hours staring at a project, change a few lines, and then feel completely stuck. I still care about my projects and don't want to abandon them, but I'm worried that I'm losing momentum. I've put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to build a successful future and eventually give back to my parents. With technology changing so quickly, I'm afraid that if I slow down, I'll miss my chance. Has anyone experienced this kind of burnout or fear, especially before starting university or a career? How did you learn to pace yourself without feeling like you were falling behind?
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I’m in my thirties, have worked in technology for more than a decade, and still spend a lot of time at a computer. The industry changes quickly, but you don’t need to learn everything to become a good developer. Constantly working can drain the exact passion that made you good at it. Try to step back before starting work and university so you don’t begin already exhausted. Being awake at 3 a.m. staring at an unfinished project is a useful warning sign, not a personal failure.
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Don’t rush yourself. I moved away from technology as a teenager and spent roughly a decade doing other things, assuming I had missed my chance. When I returned around thirty, much more knowledge came back than I expected. I’m now finishing an associate degree, working in a related field, and have strong opportunities ahead of me. A career isn’t decided at nineteen, and taking a different path for a while doesn’t permanently close the door.
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Programming is only one part of professional software work. A lot of the job involves clarifying what people actually need, reviewing designs, setting realistic expectations, planning architecture, mentoring, and managing time and money. Turning a hobby into a job can make it feel less fun because work comes with obligations. Learn to pace yourself, keep hobbies outside of computers, and practice stepping away. You can always return to programming with a new project or topic after resting. As for AI, it can produce impressive output, but it doesn’t replace experience and understanding; people who know the fundamentals are still valuable. Burnout, however, can affect your work and interviews, so addressing it now is important.
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Take this seriously as a possible sign that you’re burned out, and consider speaking with a doctor or counselor. University may also offer mental-health support. You don’t have to wait until things become severe before asking for help.
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MellowCedar47: That’s reassuring to hear, especially from someone with substantial experience. I think I needed someone to remind me that slowing down doesn’t mean everything is going to fall apart.