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Feeling Bored Outside of Work

6 points by schukostecker ↗ HN
I'm quite young (25) working as a software developer. I skipped university and have work full time (40h/w) for 4 years now. I really like my job and working in the software industry. After work/on the weekends I usually play computer games with friends or go for a walk. But if I do not play computer games for some reason, I am very bored. I used to develop side projects but at some point I lose interest or just finish them. I also feel like I have to do some programming in my free time to learn new stuff and stay informed. But without any goal it's hard to learn a new technology imo. Should I stop seeking for "possible side projects", that can fill my weekend time, and pick up a non tech related hobby?

6 comments

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CelticBard
Try different stuff. Sit down and read a book, go to the opera maybe, things that you’ve never even thought of trying. Only you can find what is fulfilling to you. What works for me won’t work for you and vice versa.
amalgamated_inc
I have the same thing. After working 40h, I just don't feel like programming much more. When I have the occasional lull at work where I spend a few weeks doing very little programming, I suddenly have the urge to code after work again.

Guess it's just what it is, I just accepted it.

lelandfe
People date various people to eventually find the one they click with.

You should try "dating" various hobbies :) Sounds like a software side project may not be the one.

warkanlock
Same feeling here, almost as you are describing my life.

My five cents here is that you should try to make the most of social ties with people around you. Talk about things you've never thought about before. Ask questions. Learn things that aren't computer programs. Skip books on engineering.

That helped me a lot in 2022 and even increase my happiness on my daily work

daniel71l
An alternative view... Maybe you are used to having external guidance for activities?

Losing interest in a project is similar to procrastination in the sense of not moving forward through the hard parts

So is there something you get excited and finish ?

If not then i would look on what really motivates you and what makes you feel appreciated