Code block

I have not written much in a while. For a long time I have felt worn out and tired down to my bones; I have had no energy to do much of anything. In contrast, there have been times when I couldn’t do anything other than write code; it practically consumed me. It is for that reason that I have been burnt out for so long – I haven’t found the safe medium where I can continue to be creative and have energy to keep a healthy momentum.

The amount of energy it takes to write code is amazing. I don’t think about my project when I have time to dedicate to development exclusively – I go as far as dreaming about it in my sleep; I think about it in the shower and on the drive to the store. While this is happening I am able to get things done quickly and solve problems extremely well. The issue arises when the headaches start and my concentration becomes short. It has been so bad for me that I have dropped some of my classes in college because I could not focus on anything, even the easy stuff. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with my Associates Degree; I should be able to do it again with my Bachelors.

So what is a good way to keep things under control? From what I can tell, playing video games is a great way to avoid burn out. There is an exception: only play games that don’t require too much thinking! I have been playing StarCraft 2, which is known as a thinking man’s game because of all the strategy involved, and it has helped increase my burn out. Playing something like Left 4 Dead or Angry Birds is much better to cleanse the mind. The point here is to entertain yourself and get your brain to stop thinking so much. It needs a break!

I have felt my health declining for a little while now. I notice that when I am programming or playing games that I tend to eat too much and get no exercise. This could be one of the reasons I feel old and achy. Getting out of my comfy chair to do some activity would be a good start. My wife has been giving me vitamins that are supposed to give me more energy.

I can feel the rusty cogs in my head are starting to turn; I am getting ideas for a new project. It will be hard to change the way I do things, but it should be beneficial in the long run to try and balance my time so that I don’t get burned out so fast. Being more active and eating better will help. Working on individual sections at a time and taking break will help. Playing games will give my mind a rest.