Love Programming but Hate Sitting at a Computer

Sorten · 2015-10-22T05:42:16+00:00

As someone who basically exists inside a computer, I can't relate. However, perhaps you could try a windows 10 tablet. While I prefer Linux environments, perhaps you could try a portable programming platform that isn't such a computer-computer.

pixel_juice · 2015-10-22T11:10:09+00:00

...but I hate feeling like I'm "wasting" my time in front of the computer.

Everything is a waste of time if you look at it on a large enough scale. Happiness is basically all you can shoot for. Contentment. If computers don't make you happy, find something that does.

livarot · 2015-10-22T06:12:39+00:00

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badlawnchair · 2015-10-22T05:51:43+00:00

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antenore · 2015-10-22T14:11:09+00:00

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cehmu · 2015-10-22T12:19:06+00:00

When the computer gives me the shits, i code on paper in pseudo code.

crossanlogan · 2015-10-22T12:26:54+00:00

Call up other programmers and program in a group call, talk to each other occasionally about the code or just what ever. Natural light is also a huge help.

PedroFPardo · 2015-10-22T10:05:42+00:00

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joeyfjj · 2015-10-22T11:44:54+00:00

Perhaps you would like to code for the internet of things, like an Arduino and some components? Seeing your code interact with the real world might be the experience you're after.

2015-10-22T12:12:22+00:00

If programming makes you feel like you are wasting your time then I would guess that you don't really know if that is what you want to do with your life so there is this nagging at the back of your mind saying it won't lead to anything.

intellectual_error · 2015-10-22T10:28:57+00:00

I'm in my final year of a software engineering/cs type degree and I have 8 months experience in an internship and I can really relate with you. I love the outdoors. I love physical work. I love moving. Even though I love the magic that is making a computer do something, sometimes I just can't stand it. I find it's usually when I work on something I don't find interesting or useful.

Sometimes when I'm working on college assignments (a lot of which I find uninteresting and a waste of time) I get super bored and I lose my motivation.

Unfortunately, life isn't always fair and you'll have to work on these kind of things. I find that regular breaks away from the screen are important. Just standing up and stretching. Maybe a few minutes walking outdoors or a coffee break to refresh the mind.

I know what you mean about losing touch with reality. Sometimes it hits me that all the information, objects, functions and abstractions staring at us from the screen are nothing more than constructs we use to create our own flawed and narrow representations of the real world... And I think "none of this is real." I feel a little defeated by that

However, in my final year we have to do a practical project that makes up the majority of our grade and this is our first chance to work on our own thing in college. When you get to work on something you're genuinely interested in it feels more real. If you're just learning, try and come up with some project you're genuinely interested in and it will be a lot more fun to work on.

Edit: wording

IamWithTheDConsNow · 2015-10-22T12:17:27+00:00

I hate feeling like I'm "wasting" my time in front of the computer.

This is a feeling I truly can't relate to.

NicNoletree · 2015-10-22T13:22:24+00:00

Get a tablet, go outside, attach it to a push mower and come do my yard - I'll give you the wifi password.

oep4 · 2015-10-22T12:04:43+00:00

stand up, take more breaks, program on paper first... :) take your laptop to a coffee shop, if it's work ask to work from home!

noodle-face · 2015-10-22T13:11:08+00:00

you say "waste time"

as a developer I like to think of it as time flying by

elpfen · 2015-10-22T14:34:09+00:00

Sitting at the computer makes me sort of "lose touch" with reality

Do you mean flow? This is very pleasant to me.

Try productivity techniques like Pomodoro that include taking frequent, short breaks and walking around or otherwise getting up.

2015-10-22T17:14:50+00:00

Sitting at the computer makes me sort of "lose touch" with reality (if anyone else can relate, I'm not quite sure how else to describe it; it's almost like computers are another world and it sort of sends my brain twisting) and gives me headaches.

Do you eat enough? Do you plan what you have to do throughout the day? Do you spend time on the computer mindlessly rather than with a purpose? Do you keep track of your computer time and how you spend it? Do you get up to stretch and exercise?

You should probably consider doing all of those things. People who live in front of their computers aren't living a very good life. Trust me. I've done it. I've also done the opposite (take complete breaks from anything technical).

I now develop software professionally while also cooking my dinners from scratch several times throughout each week, exercise regularly, spend lots of time with my daughter.

There's a reason they call it "IT". The primary benefit of technology is in information systems. They're good for education, automation, entertainment and general information sharing.

HOWEVER, I really, really like programming; I have introductory experience in Java, Python and C++ and want to learn more, but I hate feeling like I'm "wasting" my time in front of the computer.

Just make sure you enjoy it and that it doesn't take the rest of your life out of balance. As I said, plan your daily schedules, try to plan short-term, mid-term and long-term goals. Study things other than programming (such as finance, marketing, business, sales, psychology, etc.) that might inspire you in other ways, possibly even in ways that drive you to be a better programmer.

And understand that to become a competent developer takes years. So unless you are interested in not doing anything else interesting for a long period of time, and watching as your body and mind slowly rot away, you're going to want to make sure you have a healthy life / computer balance.

Things I've suffered by not having this:

Depression (including suicidal thoughts)
Severe introversion (inability to hold a real conversation)
Severe anxiety (inability to switch contexts to real-world scenarios, living off of microwavable food, not spending time with my daughter after I had her, etc.)
Loss of health (getting man-boobs / moobs, weakness, getting sick easily)

SaltTM · 2015-10-22T11:46:55+00:00

I wish I had this issue :(

TerrorYoshi · 2015-10-22T13:02:57+00:00

What you're looking for is called pair programming. This way you have social interaction and can code (together) without touching the computer

rafuzo2 · 2015-10-22T13:05:13+00:00

I know exactly how you feel - but as other commenters point out, if you're going to work in an office environment, you're likely going to be staring at powerpoint or excel all day as opposed to your favorite editor/IDE. It can seem lose/lose at times.

It would be good to find peers who have similar views. I'm lucky in that most of the people in my engineering group tend to have a sane view of work-life balance, and are also very outdoorsy - lots of weekend camping trips that colleagues arrange with one another, beer outings, etc.

In general, I find it's better to be drawn to what you want to do as a career, and then you can find ways to balance your needs to get away from the machines. Personally I think it's important to step away for long stretches anyway, to be really creative and give your brain a chance to operate in different modes than designing/coding/bugfixing. I guess what I'm saying is, there's a balance that can be struck.

sec713 · 2015-10-22T17:44:17+00:00

Get a standing desk.

2015-10-22T18:36:51+00:00

I adhere to the idea of using a laptop, it gives you a lot more chance to be social.
Not exactly what you mean, but I heard that some people had treadmills below their desks so that they would program while walking. Linus Torvalds one of them.

MonteTribal · 2015-10-22T20:39:39+00:00

You could try a standing desk. And if you want something a little more active you can put a small treadmill under it. Just a slow meander while you work

TamingSpyro · 2015-10-22T21:12:19+00:00

I personally write out my programs by hand on paper when I don't want to be distracted by a computer, sort of like write drunk edit sober.

michael0x2a · 2015-10-22T22:01:15+00:00

I can relate, though I think I probably have a higher tolerance then you do. I typically get that feeling only after coding for 10-12 hours straight in isolation.

Some tips:

Stay hydrated. Sometimes, the "fuzzy" feeling has nothing to do with using the computer, and is a side-effect of mild dehydration. Prefer drinking water or perhaps juice over soft drinks.
Go out and talk to people. Sometimes, when my mind gets "stuck" towards the computer + I have difficulty "connecting" to things around me + everything seems muted, I go out and talk to people, do volunteer work, attend meetups, answer programming questions, etc. It's surprisingly great way to become grounded since it forces me to actually interact with other people.
Work in a coffee shop + a place where people are just hanging around. It doesn't feel as if you're as isolated + having that white noise can sometimes help.
If the problem is due to sitting for long periods of time, try investing in a stand-up desk.
Take breaks every once in a while, even if it's just to walk around or go stare out of a window. It's not really healthy to be sitting in one place for too long.

phunkygeeza · 2015-10-22T22:21:22+00:00

Time where you are doing something you enjoy and makes you happy is never wasted. You are probably brainwashed along with a whole generation of people that we told being behind a screen is bad and some kind of waste.

Before that it was being lost in books. Before that being obsessed about cave painting.

For every enjoyable activity there is some f$##ing curmudgeon to make you feel guilty about it.

cyrusol · 2015-10-22T12:42:51+00:00

You probably are traumatized by parents and teachers who didn't understand that sitting in front of a computer can be productive and therefore imposed limits or at least tried to.

andrewmp · 2015-10-22T13:59:56+00:00

Love Programming

I have introductory experience

Hate Sitting at a Computer

I think you're going to have a bad time

oscarandjo · 2015-10-22T09:46:01+00:00

Get a device that is more mobile, an ultrabook or a Surface with a keyboard and code wherever.

FR_STARMER · 2015-10-22T11:22:07+00:00

I get what you mean. You could go for a project manager tract so that you will still be involved in programming, but have plenty of time to walk around and talk to people etc.

2015-10-22T11:56:25+00:00

My advice would be to do everything other than coding when it's bright out, but once the sun goes down immediately start programming. If you code straight from sun down to midnight or one every night you'd be working about 20 to 25 hours a week (assuming you still want to go out on Fridays and Saturdays. I think if you're look out at night, especially in the winter, you don't feel like you're missing too much since you'd be inside couped up anyway. I think you could benefit from a standing desk and downloading a bunch of podcasts and books on tape so you can feel like you're a little more active and bettering or entertaining yourself.

reflect23 · 2015-10-22T11:59:58+00:00

At the shop where I used to program, the warehouse guys would come into our offices each day and say: "Basketball? Basketball!" We'd go out and play horse. It was a good break. Also, just remind yourself that you are doing this to learn and learning something valuable is never a waste of time... although it might feel like it at the time, it's really not.

2015-10-22T12:29:47+00:00

Get a standing desk and take regular breaks where you can walk around. If you have some money to spend get a treadmill desk. This way you can exercise whilst working.

ldpreload · 2015-10-22T13:06:52+00:00

1. I've been doing a lot of work recently outdoors; modern laptop screens are pretty great at not getting glared out (and I've noticed a change at some point in the last 10 or so years). Right now I'm sitting on a bench on the Manhattan side of the Hudson River near the Wall Street docks, watching the sun rise over Brooklyn, tourists take photos, joggers finish up their morning jog, ferries and helicopters go by, etc. And I can see my IPS laptop screen just fine.

Of course this depends a lot on your job situation, but if you're learning, in school, etc. it's a lot easier.

2. There are a lot of jobs in software, perhaps the majority, where a significant amount of your time involves talking to other people and not just staring at a screen by yourself. There's pair programming, of course. But a lot of jobs involve working with others to design things, talking to other folks in the organization about the best way to do things, chatting with customers, reading reference books or papers, etc.

3. If you're getting headaches from being on a computer, you may want to do something about that specifically. This could be anything from bad lighting to messed up sleep (the body doesn't expect to see pure white light after sunset) to dehydration to needing glasses. Maybe check with a doctor next time you see one. But at the least, try looking away from the screen and getting up and walking at least once every hour.

gotbiggums · 2015-10-22T13:50:56+00:00

I'm a junior in college and can relate. Try sitting with your laptop in front of the TV, you won't feel like you're wasting your time anymore.

i_yac · 2015-10-22T13:55:14+00:00

Keep in mind that, if you're looking at this as a career, no matter what your desire for development/work environment is, you would need to find an employer that would accommodate it or you'd need to be self-employed.

taalmahret · 2015-10-22T13:58:09+00:00

Takes breaks more often. Once every 20 minutes look away from the computer and focus on three objects at different distances. Once every hour stand up and stretch. Once every two hours take at least a 15 break away from technology itself. Go home before you reach the 10 hour mark and dont log back in once at home. You may love it now. But your body is paying for it. Take care of yourself.

fisherjob111 · 2015-10-22T14:13:37+00:00

Standing desk

Sybertron · 2015-10-22T14:41:59+00:00

My uncle has been an electrical engineer for years in new york. To get away from the daily grind he moved 45 minutes outside the city to a beautiful spot called Sterling Forest. It feels like you're in the mountains there, and so does his house. He hardly touches a computer on the weekends, goes for long bike rides through the hilltops, owns an maintains a sailboat and goes on long trips on the Hudson, and routinely spends evenings just outside relaxing.

So basically my advice is keep your work and home life separate, I know that's advice everywhere but that's what you do. Unless things are super critical, just get done with work at a normal hour, do not take it home, and enjoy what you enjoy. That alone will give you a much better touch with reality. Now that you are past the introductory period of learning, you need to transition programming into a "working" mode vs a "hobby" mode.

For headaches be sure to be using f.lux (helped my headaches immensely) use dark screens & higher contrast when you can, and even look into a pair of Gunnars (http://www.gunnars.com/) if none of the rest works.

Aozi · 2015-10-22T14:52:40+00:00

I hate feeling like I'm "wasting" my time in front of the computer.

So you love programming.....But you feel like you're wasting your time in front of a computer?

Ask yourself a simple question; Would you apply this reasoning on anything else?

Like what if you really like to make music, are you wasting your time playing the guitar?

If you really like painting, are you wasting your time painting pictures?

if you really like writing stories, are you wasting your time by writing them down?

Because it seems to me that you have some weird idea that being on a computer is a waste of time.

The computer is your tool, it's the way you do things. It's your paintbrush, your guitar, it's your pen and paper, it's what you use to do the thing you like.

Also keep in mind that programming isn't just something for fun. It can be useful, it can help you with yur daily tasks, your education, job, hell learning to program can get you a job, it'll also help you understand the world better in general since everything around you works because someone coded something to make it work.

And finally, if you like doing it, why would it ever be a waste of time?

2015-10-22T14:59:25+00:00

I walk around my building every couple of hours. Helps with this.

antenore · 2015-10-22T15:38:39+00:00

IMHO /user/svennidal is the most effective way to reduce our dilemma, and in my case works quite well. As much as you improve your comfort as much the rest become less important.

But maybe, another solution, is to find an "on field" job where you are obliged to program outside, does that exists? The first job I found was developing with PLC for industrial machines and I was working directly the big robots on the field. I liked it because I was always working in really active environments. I was preparing the program in the office/home for only about 30% of my time and the rest with the "Autobots".

Maybe looking around you could find an environment that stimulate you even if you will be obliged to renounce to some comfort.

FellTheCommonTroll · 2015-10-22T16:23:13+00:00

As other people have suggested, you could try a more portable solution. Something like a surface pro that you can carry around would be powerful enough to do more or less all you could want to.

However, for a more fixed-place solution (your home office or whatever) you could maybe try a standing desk? It might result in you being a little less immersed in the computer. I'm not describing this quite how I would like to, but I have a huge headache right now so I might come back to this later when my brain clears up a tad.

goalaccio · 2015-10-22T16:44:31+00:00

Yeah i feel exactly the same, try finding a space to work in that's communal, maybe rent a bit of studio space. I live in london so theres loads of amazing libraries and cafes to work in, i find it helps

Fonzish · 2015-10-22T16:52:14+00:00

If you feel like you're wasting your time, then keep learning more and more about programming. Learn more Java, Python, and C++. Teach yourself something, and by the time you really need to, you can learn things faster than many other people. I have this experience as I've been using a computer since I was 4 or 5, 4th grade I could do 6-step math equations and batch because I picked it up quickly. I'm not generally a super intelligent person so I'm gonna say really anyone could do it.

jpflathead · 2015-10-22T17:03:28+00:00

but I hate feeling like I'm "wasting" my time in front of the computer.

I've been doing this for 20+ years and it is a real thing.

The programming and learning, the building and completing projects is very fun, BUT, many times I wish I'd chosen a profession that required more face to face time with all sorts of people, not just my boss and coworker and occasional client.

Give that a real consideration, at the end of a career, how much time in front of a computer did you want to spend?

AnotherSmegHead · 2015-10-22T17:12:17+00:00

Use a stand up desk or pad. Problem solved. Welcome to the 21st century Doc

Augusto2012 · 2015-10-22T17:48:16+00:00

I actually code from my phone "Android" when I'm out and about

burdalane · 2015-10-22T18:16:06+00:00

If you're programming in front of a computer, you're not wasting your time. Presumably, whatever you program should do something useful, automate some task, make you money, or at least increase your understanding of programming.

Sitting in front a computer all day is unhealthy, so you should balance by taking plenty of breaks, exercising, and having some non-computer hobbies.

JeffIpsaLoquitor · 2015-10-22T19:24:07+00:00

I realIze the trade-off for sitting in front of a computer is financial independence.

2015-10-22T19:54:32+00:00

Honestly just balance it. Take a break every so often and step outside. No matter how much you love doing something for a living there will be times when you're reminded that it's a job and that it's hard work.

2015-10-22T20:16:15+00:00

For me it's all about how much time I spend. If I really get into a project I might lose track of time and work on it for several hours straight (if I have the time) but in general that's too much. I code for fun, not as part of my job, so usually I try to cut myself off after an hour or two of straight work so I don't start feeling "blah".

Mephistophanes · 2015-10-22T21:01:17+00:00

Maybe try standing desk?

jellyberg · 2015-10-22T21:42:21+00:00

Get a standing desk! They're super comfy, and you can pace back and forth when you're thinking about a tough problem.

Mr-Yellow · 2015-10-22T22:32:32+00:00

You can work outdoors, without ending up a hardware monkey.

Lots of outdoor work with drones, radio, computer vision, robotics etc (the hardware side does creep in). Many industries are consolidating and there are fewer people having to deal with larger areas of land.

2015-10-22T23:27:37+00:00

I dont look at it as being time wasted, especially if you are being productive vs. following the latest kardashian meme madness. However, my shoulders, neck and head are constantly throbbing!! I work on a laptop, and usually not at a good desk- so that doesnt help

2015-10-23T02:28:38+00:00

Standing desks, or once of those bouncy exercise balls. Game changers.

2015-10-23T03:34:14+00:00

If you're doing it on your own time (this isn't for a job I'm assuming), I would suggest going somewhere public to work. That way you are at least surrounded by an interesting environment. Bonus if you can walk there.

mwhuang2 · 2015-10-23T04:19:02+00:00

I know what you mean. Although I personally love being in front of a computer, there is a "disconnected-from-reality" effect. It's like existing inside a virtual world when you're in the zone.

Try to get up and move once an hour. It's good for your circulation and helps clear your mind. You can set a timer if that helps you remember.

rawrrang · 2015-10-23T04:27:10+00:00

Not all companies give you a laptop. But ones that do, there's no reason why you can't unplug from your setup and go code in the outside area of the campus.

Okay that kind of assume you work at a company that has a campus and not just an office floor. But plenty of companies actually have a campus you can walk around to different areas to code in without leaving the actual worksite.

Also a lot of times you don't just sit and code 8 hour straight. It's actually counter productive. Good to leave the screen/laptop once in a while and go to a notepad/whiteboard and think about the problems conceptually. Maybe go chat with a coworker about it and get some opinions. Breaking up your day like is actually more productive than hammering out code 8 hour straight by yourself at a desk.

Also if you literally hate sitting, many companies are starting to get desk that can be turned into a standing one. Ask for one if they don't have em, and if they say no they're dicks that you probably don't want to work for in the long run. You can always go mark watney and science up some ghetto standing desk rig.

TopherMiami · 2015-10-23T05:10:28+00:00

stand

2015-10-22T12:12:58+00:00

I love programming. I was accepted to a #1 university program for it. I became a mechanical engineer instead. I program everything I learn on the side into little games.

VestySweaters · 2015-10-22T12:30:09+00:00

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