I’ve been working professionally as a software developer for over a decade, and one thing that followed me ever since was to have a fun side project to work on. I’ve started countless times, some ideas have been reinvented using different technologies and approaches, but I never managed to push past initial phase. Nothing ever reached the state where I could share it with the world, which for me was very frustrating. I rarely had concentration problems at work, I had lots of interesting ideas and I’ve helped people around me with their problems, but for some reason I was never able to solve my own. Until very recently.
Why side projects are a thing
I’m not sure if a concept of side projects exist in other professions, but I can only assume why it does for IT. Majority of us started working in this industry because we’ve had some version of passion for computers. So, if you put a person that loves to code in front of a coding problem, they can spend unlimited time there, since they just love doing it. They are going to immerse themselves, especially if they are appreciated by their peers (or superiors). Ever since I started my career, I really enjoyed the projects I’ve been working on. Was I ever fed up with them? Sure, there were times when I’ve had enough, but majority of the time I would realize that I could spend much more than eight hours a day doing them and don’t feel tired. This is one of the reason why you should have a side project. Not to get burned out at your regular work. To have something fun to do in your spare time.
There is another reason to do side projects, which is to learn something new. As a Java developer, in different moments of my life, I played with Python (Django), Java Script and Go, so that I could realize that the last of the three is what I would really like to do in the long run. Have I not played with it, I might have been fixing Log4J issues now, but instead I’m (supposed to be) getting excited for generics. Touching a lot of stuff also gave me the ability to spend less time digging into problems that are theoretically outside of my areas of expertise. I am not able to write production-level, quality code in Python, but I can understand existing code and can hack my way to a working script to automate some minor things I need.
So, why haven’t I succeeded with any side project idea? They were supposed to keep me sane, while becoming smarter and more knowledgeable, so why couldn’t I stick with any of them? That was bothering me so much, until recently when I found out that I haven’t failed. My imposter syndrome just never allowed me to realize what I’ve accomplished, and congratulate me on it.
My side project has been myself
This sounds incredibly narcissistic, and makes me a bit uncomfortable to write (or even think) about it, but this is true. This has become more apparent since the start of the pandemic, when I suddenly had to stay at home and keep spirits high for myself, my wife, and my closest family, since we were all scared and unsure of that the future holds. After a few months I realized that the fact that we have not gone completely insane was because I’ve been preparing for this for a few years now. I failed countless times with my side IT projects, because they were not what I wanted to do. I did not want to pursue that dream as much as I wanted to in peace with my inner self. How was I able achieve such peace? I have no idea, but I will try to formulate my guesses in case you are looking for something that may help you.
Put on your breathing mask first
I remember that the first time I’ve heard airplane safety instructions, I was surprised why you should put the breathing mask first for yourself, and once you do, do that for children you take care of. Sounded so cruel, as if they were less important, and I wasn’t even a parent back then. Once you realize why, this changes so much. The idea turns out so simple, yet so many people don’t seem to understand it. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of the others. The other version of that, even more narcissistic, is a saying I’ve heard somewhere: You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself first. I’m so guilty of loving myself, but at the same time I don’t feel ashamed. I know that I am not perfect, I am pretty far from that, actually. I am good enough, though.
What is _ breathing mask_? It is obviously different for any of us. For me, there are a few things.
I love basketball. I read a lot about it, listen to podcasts, watch some NBA games. I used to play, until I tweaked my ankle two years ago, after which I’ve been too scared to come back (but I believe I will).
I love running, a hobby that I’ve picked up with my wife almost eight years ago. I am very average, I get tired quickly, and she has better PRs on almost every distance. But this has never bothered me, since running gives me joy, and I don’t have to be faster than anyone to enjoy it. I’ve completed a few Marathons already, which also remind me that I can actually accomplish things I put my heart into (hear that, side IT projects?).
I love reading books. By no means as much as my sister, but probably she has been an inspiration in this area. I tend to read a few books at the same time (my dad used to do the same), of various types. I usually read a fiction (various genres), a non-fiction about building a blog, a parenting book on extending baby’s diet, and one IT-related title. I juggle them, and aim to read 20-25 books a year. It’s not nothing, but not as many as some of the people I know (including my sister, who aims at 50-60). But this does not bother me, as again, I don’t need to be better than anyone here.
I like sleeping. This is the habit that I finally had some time to attend to, when we started working remotely, and it has been a world of a difference. I even realized that a good night sleep is better for you than anything. If you can’t decide between 30 minutes of exercise, or 30 minutes of extra sleep, the choice is simple. Don’t study too long, don’t try to squeeze more work today, don’t watch another TV series. Go to bed, have some sleep, have more energy tomorrow.
I like cooking. We cook for ourselves at our home, because it’s healthier. I often don’t feel like cooking since it is a necessity, but from time to time I have more time, and I can prepare one of the dishes I really love. My favorites are home-made pizza, and a vegan version of butter chicken. Both very much enjoyed by my wife, which makes the preparation even more enjoyable for me.
I like playing computer games. I still think this is funny and strange for someone over 30 to spend time like this, but I do. I don’t do that as often as I used to, obviously, but once I week I get together with friends and play Counter Strike. Am I good? Not at all. Am I average? Not quite even. Do I have fun? So much. It helps me clear my head.
Why all this?
When I started working from home in March 2020, I tried to keep myself happy, healthy and positive. I knew that if I break down, it will make it harder for my wife. I needed to make sure my breathing mask is on. I needed to make sure we both get some rest, get some exercise, eat well, talk out about things that were bothering us, etc. Having the stuff settled out in my head really gave me the energy to help out with any of her problems. Have we sometimes replaced a workout with a jar of cookies? We have. Would we be happier if we haven’t? We’ll never know. Would we do that again? Sure.
You are the side project you need to stick to.