Ask HN: How can I get over my lethargy, lack of focus, and other problems?

HN isn't going to solve your mental health issues, especially if you have depression or an anxiety disorder. Mental health care is affordable in the US, Canada, and much of Europe, even if it's just a support group or a counselor.

It sounds like you have a proactive attitude about solving your problem and you've reached the limit of self care or amateur care. I really encourage you to see a professional.

What exactly are you doing when you get to starbucks? Are you trying to follow a tutorial? Read a programming book? Watching a video on programming? If so, try doing the same thing you're trying to do but with any other topic, like reading a fantasy book, or watching a documentary on the laptop. If the latter is more interesting then the former, then really you're interests aren't as strong as you'd like yourself to believe.

There's a huge barrier for entry in programming for beginners so don't take it too hard on yourself if you feel you don't know how to get started. If you are interested in learning programming I'd advise you to surround yourself with like-minded people who are also enthusiastic about programming and want to learn how to code. The place for me was CS department at University but I guess there's a lot of other places too.

For the energy part, a lot of comes from personal determination. For me I'd say programming always feels a bit tedious and boring coming back after a proper vacation =). What helps is of course gym and socializing about coding the right amount. It comes easier after you've established a routine and have a distinct goal to work on. But yeah doing it all by yourself might be too much, for me it was at least (and still at times is). Not knowing what to do was the hard part, after getting to know the basics you kinda free yourself to do whatever you want after which it's all about determination to do it.

And if it's depression well that's a different matter entirely. I hope not, it's a shitty place to be in. If you can get a free assessment at psychologist that would probably be a good idea. In that case getting around other people might be the thing. Exercise also is very important. Also only studying CS might not be then the best thing to do, a creative hobby might serve as a better outlet and help you get energized with the coding.

Can I ask what you're about to build? I can help you get started if it's something webby like eg. React/Nodejs. You should setup yourself a taskboard like Trello and start making tasks that are not too overwhelming and have them in for example sections like: User stories (abstract goals for what you are about to build: 'As a user I want to be able to log in' etc), Backlog (tasks, such as 'Create a React component for rendering log in form' or 'Study React course x'), Bugs, Done but untested, Tested, Merged and deployed. That should get you started for professionalish style of development.

You need to figure out what is actually causing the problem. Start by keeping a journal. Include details about your diet in it, plus note when you are having a good day, etc.

Also, read up on sick building syndrome, regional air quality issues, etc.

But first you need to pinpoint a cause. You can't just randomly try health tricks and hope they will work. If you don't know why you are lethargic and lack focus, you can't fix it by randomly throwing darts at the health dartboard with your eyes closed, so to speak.