To me, it's about habitualizing yourself into the process of learning. Think the term "obsession" carries baggage that people don't like as there's connotations with it that make it sound like it's pathological. That is, the cause of a disease. And yes, it's important to not make it the entirety of one's life. We still need to sleep, eat, and spend time with others doing other things. Kind of important as our brains or minds need time to digest whatever it is we're learning and doing.
Obsession does have a negative connotation for sure. And yeah there definitely needs to be a balance of work and real life- friends, family, and everything
I started to code about 20y ago. Similar like you, I worked on my own stuff. I wanted to create useful small tools and maybe make some money. First programs were shitty but kind of useful. And people started to buy it (shareware). I got so obsessed with coding. I learned while I created my tools. I was coding until 3am. My code was crap. I didn't care about clean code. My code was basically spaghetti code. But people liked the products. I didn't make much. But as you said, these projects also helped me get a "real" job. I learned much, bad and good and gained experience. Unfortunately, nowadays my passion is almost gone. I still work full time as developer but I am not obsessed anymore.. it is just a (boring) job to me. Maybe I am just burned out. I already checking different paths, like devops.
I just started my first jr dev job. Before getting this job I would code every single day. Now after I get home from work im just so tired i really only get around maybe 1-2 hours of "me" time where I usually just hang out with my wife. I think ill definitely try to start something on the side even if its just for 30 minutes on the weekdays, and maybe 2-3 hours ish on the weekends.There is a "spark" of programming that i dont get at work that i miss from the days i was in school and i hope to bring it back someday. cheers mate, ive been watching your videos for the last couple of days hope all is well with you
exactly my thoughts! however i think this obsession should be controlled and be put in "cycles". there are periods of time e.g couple of weeks that you let yourself be consumed into attaining mastery of your craft i.e miyamoto musashi style (greatest swordsman in japan). while obsessions/passions could be sustained, i dont think this is healthy in the long-run. we have to be well-rounded individuals and have relationships w family, friends loved ones which is why we have alwyas have to take slow down and take breaks to not burn out
I'm only obsessed with people when I have alcohol in me. But alcohol has worse and worse side effect when I got older, so I decided to stop it completely. Programming on the other hand is kinda' free of side effects. And now with an always clear mind it's even better.
Interesting thoughts. Definitely it's a nuanced and personal thing. Unlike what the online "narrative" about software says, you can't invest all your time in learning forever, there is a limit to the hours in our day. Usually it sort of plateaus when you land the first professional job, like your situation. See concepts like Google's 20% time for development and learning projects. Software can become the backdrop of your life but without other people and social connections you'll feel empty inside to some extent. Balancing both takes years in some cases!
I always liked playing with computers so programming was always something I liked to do in my free time in addition to studying it formally. Whether it happens naturally or not, I do think programming outside of when you're required to is crucial to separating the great from the good.
for me trying to become software engineer is about : a way of learning to make my dream projects, a reasonable job market , independence and a little challenge. and i as now it is one of the proudest things i am trying to reach an i have not much regret.
To me, it's about habitualizing yourself into the process of learning. Think the term "obsession" carries baggage that people don't like as there's connotations with it that make it sound like it's pathological. That is, the cause of a disease. And yes, it's important to not make it the entirety of one's life. We still need to sleep, eat, and spend time with others doing other things. Kind of important as our brains or minds need time to digest whatever it is we're learning and doing.
Obsession does have a negative connotation for sure. And yeah there definitely needs to be a balance of work and real life- friends, family, and everything
I started to code about 20y ago. Similar like you, I worked on my own stuff. I wanted to create useful small tools and maybe make some money.
First programs were shitty but kind of useful. And people started to buy it (shareware).
I got so obsessed with coding. I learned while I created my tools. I was coding until 3am. My code was crap. I didn't care about clean code. My code was basically spaghetti code. But people liked the products. I didn't make much. But as you said, these projects also helped me get a "real" job. I learned much, bad and good and gained experience.
Unfortunately, nowadays my passion is almost gone. I still work full time as developer but I am not obsessed anymore.. it is just a (boring) job to me. Maybe I am just burned out. I already checking different paths, like devops.
Thanks for the comment. Yeah I feel that for sure
I just started my first jr dev job. Before getting this job I would code every single day. Now after I get home from work im just so tired i really only get around maybe 1-2 hours of "me" time where I usually just hang out with my wife. I think ill definitely try to start something on the side even if its just for 30 minutes on the weekdays, and maybe 2-3 hours ish on the weekends.There is a "spark" of programming that i dont get at work that i miss from the days i was in school and i hope to bring it back someday. cheers mate, ive been watching your videos for the last couple of days hope all is well with you
I completely understand what you mean. I think I am trying to get that spark back myself. Thanks for sharing. Hope all is well with you too!
exactly my thoughts! however i think this obsession should be controlled and be put in "cycles".
there are periods of time e.g couple of weeks that you let yourself be consumed into attaining mastery of your craft i.e miyamoto musashi style (greatest swordsman in japan).
while obsessions/passions could be sustained, i dont think this is healthy in the long-run. we have to be well-rounded individuals and have relationships w family, friends loved ones which is why we have alwyas have to take slow down and take breaks to not burn out
I'm only obsessed with people when I have alcohol in me. But alcohol has worse and worse side effect when I got older, so I decided to stop it completely.
Programming on the other hand is kinda' free of side effects. And now with an always clear mind it's even better.
Interesting thoughts. Definitely it's a nuanced and personal thing. Unlike what the online "narrative" about software says, you can't invest all your time in learning forever, there is a limit to the hours in our day. Usually it sort of plateaus when you land the first professional job, like your situation. See concepts like Google's 20% time for development and learning projects. Software can become the backdrop of your life but without other people and social connections you'll feel empty inside to some extent. Balancing both takes years in some cases!
100% agree. Definitely need friends and family
This is the sacrifice I am trying to make as well.
I always liked playing with computers so programming was always something I liked to do in my free time in addition to studying it formally.
Whether it happens naturally or not, I do think programming outside of when you're required to is crucial to separating the great from the good.
Yeah I would agree, and It’s sometimes hard finding the time to code outside of work
for me trying to become software engineer is about : a way of learning to make my dream projects, a reasonable job market , independence
and a little challenge. and i as now it is one of the proudest things i am trying to reach an i have not much regret.
Keep at it! Will be a great feeling
Great video!! I love that hat BTW!!
lol thanks 👍
Justice for your hat 😔😔
What’s good homie
What’s going on man