Do Programmers Need Side Projects?

Do we REALLY need them?

The centuries long question about programmers and side projects, do we really need them?  I mean, doesn't a day job take enough?  We work countless hours at work, sometimes 60+ hours a week.  Why on earth would anyone want to do more on the side?  There are several reasons to have side projects, and some good points not to have any.  Let's look into it.

My "Why"

I go between having no side projects and having at least one (sometimes more) at any given time.  During COVID, it has helped my sanity a bit, distracting me from the crap that is going on in 2020.

When I don't have side projects, my stress level goes down a bit, and my social life increases nicely.  I get out, I travel, take road trips, walks, and all of the outside things.  Yes, I enjoy those.  I am not the "stereotypical" programmer, I like the outdoors, most days.

When I have a side project or two, I am a bit more stressed, but not a lot.  My mind loves a good problem to solve, and that is how I see my apps.  They solve a problem or make things easier for people.  Sometimes, I do make an app just for fun, because I can, or had some whacky idea that I wanted to try out.  I never know where those whacky ideas send me.  Sometimes nowhere, and a few times it helps me solve another problem in another app I am working on.

I do it to help keep my skills up-to-date, and learn new techniques.  I also get curious about new technologies, and I enjoy learning new stuff in general.  It doesn't matter what you do for a living, you should never stop learning.  As a programmer, I have never felt comfortable working for someone else.  Not because I didn't like them, or the projects, but because I always felt that whatever I am doing could end, and they no longer need me.  I have to keep myself relevant.

The Industry

With as volatile as the industry can be, startups coming and going, big companies can even screech to a halt.  Look at Yahoo, Geocities, MySpace, and many other companies.  These were once big companies, and they either got knocked down a peg or two, or swallowed up by another company completely.

In "the old days" of programming, it was like any other job, most people didn't worry about being fired or let go, they had a stable job and paycheck.  That was DECADES ago.  Times have changed drastically, and programmers (and any other profession) has to keep on their toes, and not stop learning.  That is what side projects do, they keep programmers sharp, and learn newer skills and techniques.

Balance is key

I also NEED a life.  That is when I take a break from coding, and just breath.  Whether I get outside and be with friends (with proper social distancing #2020sucksass), chat online, or just play a mindless video game (those are the kind I play, you do you, boo).  I used to do 1st person shooters, but now I do more simulation, city building, and other games that don't have a real opponent.  I can easily lose an entire weekend playing just one of my games!

When I need to, I will put my side projects on hold, and just live life.  During my first 15 years of programming, I never took any time off.  I never went on vacation.  I did do social stuff, but it was pretty minimum.  I burned out.  Don't do that.  Don't be a young Coder B.

Your "Why"

You have to decide for yourself.  If you are younger, then you need to decide how much effort are you going to put into this, and what will it achieve?  In my opinion, it is not worth working 60+ hours a week, then having a side project that does nothing for you for another 20-40+ hours a week.  That is a fast track to burn out, and potentially health problems.

Do you find new technologies and new languages fun to learn?  Do you enjoy problem solving?  Do you enjoy coding?  If you answer yes to one or all of those, you probably have a side project or two.  But, life is also important, and can be fun.  get a hobby outside of coding, and see if you like it.

A more seasoned programmer (AKA: Us old farts) knows how to balance everything, I hope.  I struggle sometimes, and I do need to get out a little more.  But, that is life!

Is this post done yet?

I could just babble on, but I think you have had enough.  I hope this has answered the centuries old question.  In a nutshell the answer is, curiosity, learning, growing, and because it is enjoyable.  If it is not enjoyable, don't do it.

Let me know your "why" (or "why not") in the comments below.  Do you have side projects?  Do you have a cool hobby?