Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Getting too absorbed in side projects

bennettnotes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 113 posts

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#51

Post by noxToken »

bbx wrote: post #40

I've got the same issue, but only for the first 80% of the project. At that point, the project becomes a burden I have to finish, otherwise I would have wasted my time. The initial burst of inspiration is always exciting: you've got a novel idea, there are no restrictions, no deadlines, no requirements. You don't care about bugs or beauty, just about making things happen. You could even abandon the project and it wou…

>I've got the same issue, but only for the first 80% of the project. At that point, the project becomes a burden I have to finish, otherwise I would have wasted my time.

It's only an issue if you're trying to publish or launch. If it's for learning, fulfillment, or just exploring something new, 80% might be more than enough.

By the way, CSS Reference is awesome.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#52

Post by taneq »

lukaszkups wrote: post #47
oarsinsync wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Enjoy the time with your children too. The memories you build with them today will last a lifetime, and will be much more valuable than any side project you're dreaming of

I've learnt side-projects are possible you only just have... sleep less :) I'm a father of 2 (4yrs old + 6mo old) and I start doing side-projects when kids and wife go to sleep (we spent time together as well, she doesn't go to sleep at the same time as kiddos). So around 22:30 I've work on something for myself for 2 - 3hours. Then repeat :) But I'm blessed that my kids are sleep through 99% of the night time.

How on earth do you function with so little sleep?

...or do your children not wake up at 6am sharp every day? :P

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#53

Post by chapium »

eequah9L wrote: post #26
albertgoeswoof wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like this is an excuse (sorry to be blunt). I’m a new parent and managed to build and release a side project in the first few weeks, as well as keep up with a bunch of other side projects. I’ve just had to adapt the way I work on them. Eg I’m spending significantly more time planning than before, I’m using tools that have been consistently applied to solve similar problems, I’m ruthlessly prioritising features…

A child really does not do much in the "first weeks". Most of the burden is figuring out all the APIs, but if the child and the mother are healthy, it does not really take much time and attention. This gets worse as the child grows up and gets more active. And there's the extra laundry, dishes and cooking that you need to take care of. And then the second one comes... Parenting is really honestly taking a lot of time…

The first few weeks you have to support your wife while her mind is at war with the post-pardum hormones.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#55

Post by danr4 »

I have 3 things that keep me from sideproject burn out:

1. Users. Once someone uses your project and you're growing, even if it's slow, it "motivates" me to keep working on it. That is also why for me, it's a must to keep the project small and launch ASAP, which in turn also helps against feature creep and bikeshedding.

2. Delegation. Once I validate the project (people are using it) I try my best to outsource time consuming tasks, mostly programming, administrative, research, and data entry. This frees me up to enjoy leisure time while not feeling the project is stagnating.

You have to find your balance - decide what's the velocity of the project you're comfortable with. Once I realized that wanting to build and grow as fast as possible is stressing me out and ruining my social life, I decided I'm going to try and be ok with slow growth since I don't depend on it for a living.

3. Part-time job. I work 3 days a week. This should've probably been number 1 on the list. I still make good enough money to live comfortably, while my side projects make little money I can save. Obviously not everyone can or want that, but as a developer I have the privilege of earning the same as some of my less techy friends with 60% of the work. Frees me up for a whole bunch stuff.

This might not apply if you have kids and want to save as much money for their futures sake.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#56

Post by patcon »

I had the same thing. My side-projects would end up making me anxious, and I'd resent them -- whether they were code or volunteering or what. But then I just kinda left my job -- my ordinary life -- downscaled to the point that I didn't need my apartment, and started living in a hammock tent in my city's equivalent of Central Park during the summer. My side-projects (or at least my appetite for them) are right-sized, it was my distraction of a job that needed downsizing, and I had the privilege and luck to do that. Now I'm figuring out that my side-project has given me skills and experience that essentially no one else has, because I've spent 3-4 years focussed intensely on something that capital mostly says shouldn't have been getting any attention (it mostly doesn't). I think I can wrangle that into an ordinary-ish life again, but we'll see...

Anyhow, just wanted to provide a counterpoint to "side-projects are making me miserable" when there's likely a hidden 3rd factor: the other thing you need to work/do to subsidize the life you currently fit into.

Best of luck! I'm excited for your side-projects <3 (or rather, whatever it is that makes you happy, but I hope you don't stop experimenting with what that might be!)

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#57

Post by sv12l »

bbx wrote: post #40

I've got the same issue, but only for the first 80% of the project. At that point, the project becomes a burden I have to finish, otherwise I would have wasted my time. The initial burst of inspiration is always exciting: you've got a novel idea, there are no restrictions, no deadlines, no requirements. You don't care about bugs or beauty, just about making things happen. You could even abandon the project and it wou…

Are you me? I literally have been through this recently, the first 80% went smooth, but when it comes to polish/css, it sure felt like taking forever to cross the line. Thanks for the cssreference link, looks like a gem.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#58

Post by oarsinsync »

croo wrote: post #49
brazzledazzle wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

0 naps when it should be 1 or more is always a fun stage for both parent and child. His comment isn’t going to age well.

Fun as in Dwarf Fortress "fun"?

Haven't played Dwarf Fortress, but if it's anything like having sharp needles pushed into your brain, then yep, that kind of fun.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#59

Post by mcs_ »

After I got my motorbike everything changed. My coworker went for a bicycle, everything changed....

I use to do side projects to learn more. That is what I used to say.

The reality was that change the activity I really loved for decades to another has not been easy.

Side projects has been the perfect excuse to stay on the laptop.

How do you replace a no-competitive activity where you are in control of what you do and decide what and when to do?

So what worked for me?

Find something that exists in the real world, in my case an old, unchecked desire (learn to ride), and just do it.

How long I waited? Long time, years.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#60

Post by ovi256 »

zmil wrote: post #38
sneak wrote: post #34

Hire cleaners. Outsource laundry. Have food delivered. If you love hacking, nothing wrong with hacking from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep.

> Outsource laundry Know any good services for that? I feel like this is always the hot, new startup idea that's gonna take over but they always fizzle out

Talk to your local dry cleaner. They may offer this service. It may be price competitive.
Post reply on HN