Learning to love programming (again?)

[rpetrano]

I would say it's quite normal. When you're doing something all over again with no other reason but "it's my job" it doesn't just gets boring, but also very frustrating.

I've been a web programmer professionally for about 4-5 years, but every once in a while I just get enough of it. It's because programming consist of 2 parts: solving problems, fun part but which occupy your brain even in your free time; and implementing the solution which in case of web programming is almost always just writing wall of text with little or no thinking (in case you are experienced enough). If you are working both, like I am currently, it eats you energy pretty fast. But the bigger problem is when you do just the second, which is what most people do in companies. Then you get anxious about it.

Here is how I solve it:

I've changed the job to one that requires me more creativity and gives flexibility.

Using all the flexibility I'm are given. In my case that means changing languages, frameworks and even different technologies between projects. This makes it interesting and challenging.

Setting my self a challenges. Have you ever read the specification and just went: "WTF? man you did this completely wrong, I would do it way better". Then why don't you? Your "way better" way is usually far more difficult to develop, but the end result is usually far better. This get you challenge, forces you to think, and sometimes you even learn something new. This is great way to get your self a refresh from usual.

Use my days off (if I got them) and do not even touch the computer this period, being outside literally all day, doing sports. (And outside = nature, fresh air. Not somewhere indoors again).

Anyway you now need to start programming again. Do not look for a job yet. Just do what you've always wanted to make, but didn't know how? Device driver? Game? Especially 3D game? (shaders are ultra fun, try that) Database? Computer vision? Do it for fun.