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I just want to code (2023)

(www.zachbellay.com)
288 points SCUSKU | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.363s | source
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LandR ◴[] No.43820895[source]
Man, I work 8-4 Mon-Fri.

As soon as 4 rolls around, I'm done with the money making portion of the day and the rest is just entirely fun stuff. I couldn't care less if what I'm doing isn't ever going to make money, it's just fun / interesting / satisfying curiosity.

I run - but I know I'm never going to make money running. I climb - but I know I'm never going to make money climbing. I code for fun on my side projects - same deal.

That work mindset gets turned off hard at 4pm.

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optymizer ◴[] No.43822722[source]
I would like to be able to do that - I have such a long list of things I want to learn and do - but I can't just turn off my work brain at 4pm. I get sucked in by interesting problems. Low level optimization? They pay me for 9-5, but you can bet I'll be thinking about it over the weekend, maybe code up a potential solution.

I used to think less about people who check out at 5pm - how can you just leave and not give a shit that the code is a mess? - but as I grew older, I understood that they don't associate their self-worth with work. Their value system is different, and it's got benefits, like better mental health.

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1. warp ◴[] No.43824056[source]
> I used to think less about people who check out at 5pm - how can you just leave and not give a shit that the code is a mess?

As someone who checks out at 5pm, I think you're looking at it from the wrong POV.

The main thing that drives me is the projects I work on in my spare time. I care that _that_ code is a mess. So, I might do a bit of work on that in the morning, but then start my actual paying job at e.g. 8am.

So how can I just leave my hobby project and not give a shit that the code is a mess? Because I get paid to do so, I have to work on whatever my boss wants me to work on because that's my job -- but as soon as 5pm hits I get to think about the stuff I really care about again.