Ask HN: How can I find something worthwhile to do?

Think back to a time before you knew about computers and software. What were you fascinated by? It might lead you to consider a sport, hobby, past-time that you would gain pleasure from.

Sometimes these non-computer/software areas reveal ideas for fun projects.

Personal experience, I took playing tennis. Decided that having a clock faces based scoreboard would be a good idea, spent several months building and perfecting the project. Turned out electronics don't like being in the hot sun, so I gave up on the idea. But it was a certainly a fun project and I learnt quite a bit about embedded systems, etc.

I'm in the same boat tbh, I don't find interesting things with programming anymore, maybe when I did it was just that I had less other stuff to do. I'd rather learn something new now e.g. last year I started doing some home music recording/production. What is your goal - if you want to upskill for your career or to start a business, fine, if not find something else to do.

Look for a job not at an IT FANG company. Look at jobs on offer in machining, in mining, in agriculture, in energy, in surveying, geophysical data aquisition, drill logging, etc.

There are quasi unskilled jobs galore for field technicians to assist with all manner of things you've likely never done before.

If you've got the time, freedom and cash then maybe take a vacation on an Australian cattle station, or some South American ranch.

You're now somewhere new surrounded by things to learn and it's likely that will either stimulate you afresh to do the old stuff or suggest something that mixes what you can do with what new (to yourself) people need.

If you can't scratch your own itch anymore perhaps find others with an itch they need to scratch.

If you can just write some basic software, you're probably in the top 1% for computer skills in the global population. There are people in every niche of the world crying out for such help. Find something you're passionate about, and volunteer your time. I help my local political party run a website, do code clubs and Scouts.

Also, I'm part of a woodworking club. I'm rubbish at it, but it's fascinating just to watch and listen to other people who are much better than me. I've built a couple of things myself which I'm proud of.

It's possible you're placing too much emphasis on the type of problem you need to solve. You might be trying to think of a problem that many people experience, or a problem that others recognise as important, and getting frustrated that you don't have any ideas.

If this is the case, I'd recommend making something for one person instead. Make something stupid, that only a single person in your life will enjoy. Programming doesn't have to be Amazon or Netflix. Programming can be a knitted scarf.