Wouldn't the good ol' "5-minutes-only" rule help here? When you tell yourself it's OK to quit if the thing is too boring, but only after 5 minutes. Then it usually turns out it's not _that_ boring, and before you realize, you spent a good amount of time with the thing. 😊
I also faced this issue. Then one day, I just started to publish. What I learned is that if I spend too much time polishing or adding features, it gets stuck.
Thanks for sharing vulnerably! It's always helpful to know people I consider very productive struggle with the same sorts of issues I do. That last 10% is brutal.
Oh I am FEELING this, and with crafts too. I have some 90% done crafts and they take up physical space as well as mental space! Why can't I push them over the line? I can SEE how little there is left to do!
Very relatable. I end up stressing myself out over my side projects until I remember to be kind to myself and that I’m only doing it for the joy of coding!
We should do a side project swap or adoption community/platform (that would be a side project itself, tho…), where people can share their ideas and visions and the work done, if they can’t put more time.
And someone else can pick it up and give it another chance, because it will be shiny for them!
I’d love to see a requiem for just one of those 90% done shiny projects - drop the code in a repo and a “show & tell” on why it excited you for a fleeting moment. I know that’s no easy thing.
it's cool!
I was writing my research paper for uni graduation about jazz too. It was hell of a problem. it's unfortunately in Russian but if you interested in reading it (with the help of translator ofc) I can send it to you. It's about linguo-culturological discourse aspect of jazz.
Harrison Ford once said he alternated between films for success and films he personally liked, regardless of the outcome. You could try the same for your creative block: work on an unfinished side project once, then switch to a completely new one the next time.
I’m the same, although I have ADHD, so it’s not unexpected. It’s hard when your hobbies are similar to work too, because how do I know I’m giving my brain enough rest?
I know the feeling, none of my side projects got ever released because there is always something else to do. Until I started contributing to bigger OpenSource projects. It's the collaboration that keeps you going and drive them over the finishing line.
Relatable, good luck, hopefully you’ll find some motivation. Sometimes you got to start. I really like that you started writing to start doing something. I hope it worked!
I feel like my perception of the outcome of such project is what makes all the difference. If it is a business opportunity and after a few months it does not like that much anymore I g et stuck, but collaboration helps a lot to get the extra mile.
I enjoy reading your blog and I love the design of your website, I think it’s really cool 😊
I think you’re right too, getting the ball rolling with something is a good idea, usually it leads to something else and before you know it you’re in the middle of your next idea 🙌
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I think it’s a common feeling among devs because building something is more fun than actually maintaining it!
...sweeps a pile of near-completed projects under the rug. 😅
And someone else can pick it up and give it another chance, because it will be shiny for them!
I do fishing.
Two years l8r, I'm thinking about a new side project, but I will start playing an instrument (and keep fishing) because I know it's best 4 me.
That's me. Not you.
Good Luck💪
Currently experiencing something similar.
It’s fun and relaxing to sketch out ideas in a notepad for an hour and shop for domain names.
Actually shipping something is work. Even when we try to tell ourselves that it’s for fun.
Have you considered using something like Cursor/CoPilot etc to “kickstart” old projects, and see if you can get them a few more % along the way?
I was writing my research paper for uni graduation about jazz too. It was hell of a problem. it's unfortunately in Russian but if you interested in reading it (with the help of translator ofc) I can send it to you. It's about linguo-culturological discourse aspect of jazz.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles https://amzn.asia/d/h2qHlCV
hits hard
I think you’re right too, getting the ball rolling with something is a good idea, usually it leads to something else and before you know it you’re in the middle of your next idea 🙌