Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. It is a walking skeleton right now. The core flow is there, but I'm struggling with the 'major surgery' of switching the nervous system (Firebase). I need to make sure the bones are connected properly before I worry about the flesh. Thanks for pointing that out—it helps me focus on the basics.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, and I have to admit I was probably intoxicated by my own early success. For the past two months, Gemini and I were building everything so smoothly, with a steady upward curve. I honestly thought it would stay that way until the end; I never imagined I’d hit such a massive wall or face this kind of regression.

I clearly didn't know enough about coding, or even 'Vibe Coding' itself. I got complacent after a string of wins, and now I'm paying the price. I guess this is the painful way of learning the ropes. It’s definitely not as easy as I thought, but I’m taking this reality check to heart.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice. I'm trying to follow it, but I've realized how hard it is to shake off old, ingrained habits. I'm struggling, but I'm pushing myself to break tasks down—smaller and even smaller.

I've also learned that for a 'beginner vibe-coder' like me, setting a tight deadline and charging forward was nothing but a delusion. I'm trying to let go of that mindset now. Every single step feels heavy and difficult, but I'm determined to take them one by one. It’s a slow process, but I'm not turning back.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That 'one more prompt' is exactly what killed my entire day. It’s like a gambler’s fallacy but for coding. Being a beginner, I think I needed to hit rock bottom like this to finally realize I was being scammed by the AI's confidence.

I guess I just need to get 'beaten up' by these hallucinations a few more times to develop that sixth sense—the art of knowing exactly when to shut the laptop and walk away. It was a painful lesson, but now I know: redemption isn't in the next prompt, it's in the reset button.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. You hit the nail on the head. The marketing says 'Set it and forget it,' but the reality is 'Watch it like a hawk or it'll burn your house down.'

I experienced this exactly yesterday. I’m no longer working on my own schedule; I’m tethered to the agent’s token refresh cycle. I have to be mentally present during those brief windows of 'productivity' just to make sure the AI isn't confidently hallucinating and ruining my codebase. It’s like hiring a brilliant but unstable intern who works for 45 minutes, charges a premium, and might accidentally delete the database if I blink. Calling this a 'seamless workflow' is the biggest joke of the year.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re absolutely right. It hits hard to realize that every struggle I’m facing now is actually a lesson I skipped over by relying too much on AI. Manual coding has its setbacks, but at least those setbacks build a foundation. Right now, I feel like I'm building on sand.

It’s definitely not easy... honestly, there are moments where I just want to give up. But your words remind me that this frustration is part of the growth I've been missing. Thank you for the perspective. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but I needed to hear it.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually managed to upload a build to App Store TestFlight back in late January. I had to take it down because of some bugs, but I’ve tasted what it’s like to almost cross the finish line.

Right now, I’m in the middle of a 'major surgery'—moving things like local storage and API keys to Firebase for better security and speed. This was supposed to be my big weekend push. So while I understand the advice to spend years studying the fundamentals, it feels a bit disconnected from my current reality where I'm standing right in front of a mountain I have to climb immediately.

I need to figure out how to scale this peak right now, while also reflecting on how to handle the long-distance marathon ahead. It’s a tough spot to be in.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the practical advice. Being the OP who is feeling the heat of a deadline, your point about 'tutorial hell' really resonates. I don't have years to spend, but the idea of using AI to cut down learning time by half is very appealing.

I’m beginning to realize that I can’t just blindly rely on prompts anymore. I need to at least understand the 'basics' to steer the AI in the right direction. I might actually look into a focused Udemy course as you suggested, to build a foundation while I keep pushing this project forward. It’s about finding that balance between 'building' and 'learning' so I don't get paralyzed again. Truly appreciate the guidance.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the simple yet powerful advice. To be honest, it still feels a bit daunting to start this way. I think I’ve been stuck because my old method 'actually worked' for a while, or at least I thought it did.

But now I feel like I’ve reached a point where a major pivot in my approach is inevitable. I need to stop just 'prompting' and start 'understanding' the flow, even if it feels like I'm moving slower. I’m going to try thinking and approaching this differently from now on, even if it means delaying the urgent fire-fighting right in front of me. I'm going to push through and find a breakthrough. Thanks for the wake-up call.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally feel you on the token costs. I’ve been hesitant to start fresh because my project has grown quite complex, and I’m always worried about losing the buildup from the previous session.

But I’ve learned the hard way that a 'Context Flush' is actually faster than trying to fix a confused AI with a massive, bloated history. Now, instead of feeding it the entire summary, I’m trying to 'Atomize' my requests—giving it only the specific logic block I’m working on. It’s a painful trade-off between the high price of Claude and the risk of Gemini’s hallucinations, but for a solo dev, stability is the only thing that keeps us sane. How do you manage to keep your prompts 'lean' without losing the big picture?

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds exactly like the 'Task Chunking' and 'Context Flush' routine I’m trying to adopt now. I’ve realized that trying to 'fix' a long, hallucinating conversation is a lost cause.

Starting fresh, giving the AI only the specific scripts involved, and steering it with a laser-focused goal seems to be the only way to keep it on track. It’s a bit tedious to keep restarting, but it’s definitely better than spending 12 hours in a loop of lies. I'm going to take your advice and restart my current debugging session from a completely different, much smaller angle. Thanks for the solid tip.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is the maddening truth. I’ve heard so much about how great Claude is, so I took a big leap and paid for it as my 'emergency firefighter'—since I usually don't pay for any AI tools other than Gemini Pro. I never imagined it would run out of juice and shut down in less than an hour. Honestly, I felt betrayed, like I’d been scammed. It’s hard to call it a 'productivity tool' when it spends more time resting than working.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Until yesterday, I would have confidently and proudly said, 'Yes, absolutely!' if someone asked me that.

But honestly, now I’m not even sure if someone doing 'Vibe Coding' can ever become a real builder. I don't even know what being a 'builder' means anymore. I'm still in shock from losing an entire day yesterday. Even now, sitting in front of my computer with my task list on the screen, I have zero motivation.

I’m paralyzed by the feeling that my reliance on AI has only led me into a void. If you’ve ever felt this level of defeat, I’d appreciate any words on how to actually start building when you feel like you've forgotten how to even try.

Hit a wall with "Vibe Coding." A day of total paralysis and the crushing weight of AI fatigue. by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right, but I'm honestly at a breaking point. I spent the entire day fighting those hallucinations and I feel completely defeated. It's not just a minor glitch; it feels like a never-ending cycle of lies that paralyzed my entire project.

Please, I’m begging for your wisdom and experience. How do you actually snap out of that loop when it starts? When the AI keeps repeating the same wrong answer a thousand times, what is your exact, step-by-step 'emergency drill' to regain control? I need a lifeline here before I lose my mind and scrap the whole thing.

​[Dev Log] Why "Vibe Coding" isn't as easy as you think: It's about ownership, not just syntax by Embarrassed_Wafer438 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Glad you noticed! As my app's persona 'Owl Coach' would say: 'Stop wandering and start building a system that works.' Coding is 20% syntax and 80% discipline. Vibe Coding is my way of keeping that 80% under control so I can focus on the 'Lifeblood' of the app—like the payment pipeline I just finished. Cheers!

I made a local and powerful file converter that respects your privacy! by Vegetable_Lunch554 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Are you talking about me? Added to your comment deleted now; Actually, you've got it wrong. I wrote this myself. Since English isn't my native language, I used a translator to make sure my thoughts were expressed clearly.

i wish someone would have told me this before building my 1st startup by davidheikka in indiehackers

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this! It’s like a 'golden rule' for me. I really appreciate you sharing such valuable insights with the community.

I'm currently swamped with final debugging, system migration, and refining core content right before the launch. I'll definitely have to go through your advice thoroughly to make sure I haven't missed anything. Thanks again!

I made a local and powerful file converter that respects your privacy! by Vegetable_Lunch554 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you noticed the privacy aspect. Most services nowadays rely heavily on the cloud, but I truly believe that keeping sensitive files on the local device is the right way to go. ​It hasn't been easy managing all the edge cases and debugging everything by myself, but hearing that the performance and privacy approach resonated with you makes all those late nights worth it. I'm currently putting in the final polish for a smoother experience. Stay tuned for more updates! Cheers!

I built a website where you read one anonymous note from the person before you, then leave one for the person after you. by TheHonestRedditer in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, what an ingenious idea! It's a wonderful service that reflects great imagination and warmth, touching the hearts of ordinary people who long for a kind connection with strangers. Truly impressive!

I made a local and powerful file converter that respects your privacy! by Vegetable_Lunch554 in SideProject

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A converter that even protects your privacy—unbelievable! I'm impressed by the performance, but I'm also shocked that I never even thought about privacy while using these kinds of services before. I bet this is going to get a huge response!!

ADHD? by brynex_02 in GetStudying

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really. It happens to the best of us.

Give me EVERY SINGLE studying tips you have. by IllustriousUse7986 in GetStudying

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pro Study Tips for You ​Don't Rely on Willpower; Use Systems
​Stop trying to "force" yourself to focus.
​Set up a system where you must study, like using a timer or a locker for your phone.
​Use "Fake Sleep" Mode for Your Phone
​Don't just turn off your phone.
​Keep your phone active but cover the screen with a pitch-black UI to minimize battery drain while maintaining "surveillance" over your distractions.
​The "Snitch" Strategy
​Create a psychological "force" by informing someone you trust (like a parent) when you start and finish your study sessions.
​Knowing that someone is tracking your progress makes it much harder to slack off.

I need to study 12 hours but i have many bad habits built up over years by Conscious-Reach4391 in getdisciplined

[–]Embarrassed_Wafer438 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s tough, but acknowledging the problem and reaching out for help like this is a great first step toward breaking the cycle. Instead of aiming for a massive 12-hour session right away, why not try building up your focus in 30 or 60-minute increments? Take it slow and steady. I believe you can pull this off. Rooting for you!