Ask HN: Feeling uninspired as a programmer, could I get some advice?

3 points by Allyedge 355 days ago | 3 comments

Hello!

I am a programmer at the age of 18, and I've been coding since a few years. I initially started with Android apps, and then translated into the Web and now I work mostly with fullstack Web and backend using TypeScript, Rust, Go and Elixir. Even some embedded with STM32s and C.

For the last few months to a year, I've been noticing that I feel empty. I don't have any project ideas, I don't know what to work on, half the time I open my terminal and just stare at it.

I "tried trying to" just code something or focus on one specific framework or language instead of being so diverse (which I kind of am), but both failed as I simply had no ideas or know anything to work on.

Is there anything you can suggest to fix that? Perhaps a diferent way to discover things to work on, or any other idea? I simply feel very uninspired and am scared that I might never leave this state and forever lack behind while others keep improving.

Thanks in advance.

gary17the 355 days ago |

I imagine it is hard to keep feeling inspired when you keep programming sample code "bundles" that are purely "theoretical", i.e., carry no complexity or LOC-size required for the commercial or open-source product directions. Remember that developing and maintaining real-world projects requires much deeper technological and social skills than hacking on private projects. Consider either working on a commercial project (e.g., an app with a paid monthly subscription) that will require product-market-fit education and commercial-grade quality execution from you, or joining an open source project (e.g., the Linux kernel or satellite projects) that will require cooperation and accountability from you, as well as much deeper knowledge of only one or two programming languages (e.g., Rust and C).

Allyedge 355 days ago | |

I see your points. I will try doing this, thanks!

gwbas1c 355 days ago |

> I am a programmer at the age of 18

Go to college

Get an internship during summer break.

The people you work with will inspire you.