When you don't feel like reading\programming..

I'm sure that everyone had this feeling before. But how long does it usually last?

I ALWAYS suffer from this , i get it too often to the point i think that programming isn't what i really want. It usually lasts from a day to 2-3 weeks. I don't feel like reading any book\tutorial , learning or programming anything during it. All i want to do is play PS2 , watch a movie , go out or do anything else that doesn't require any brains.

This doesn't only keep me away from programming and let me waste my time on other stuff ; i always find myself forgetting stuff and needing to review them wich makes my waste my time on things i've already learned. This feeling made me learn C in couple of months instead of 2-3 months. And apparently the same thing will happen with C++.

Do you get this feeling often? if so , how do you overcome it?


any help is appreciated

Generally, when I'm in that mood where I don't want to read or program, which is very often, I lie in bed listening to music, generally music with cheesy, not-too-deep lyrics(AKA Styx, old Dashboard Confessional, Weezer, etc.).

Yeah I suffer from the same thing. I suppose genius has its drawbacks eh?

Seriously I try and do something completely different, then think about why I like programming etc. I love learning about languages and such, so it kinda comes in natural for me, but oftentimes its just that I am a bit of a nerd at heart and always am fascinated by computers in the end. So that helps me get back into the swing of things.

I can understand what yoru talking about. What has helped with me is this: instead of reading quickly, trying to get as much of the book as i can in the time that i have alotted to reading, i simply have made the decision to sit down, read a paragraph/section or whatever, then put the book down. I think about it for a while, and not go back to it until i'm fully comfortable with what i've just read. Then i move on. Yes it's slow. In fact, i am reading a novel right now, that i've had since close to the beginning of february, and i'm only on chapter 3. (600 pages, 13 chapters) - Partly becuase i dont' have a whoel lot of spare time to read this spare time book.

I'm not saying you need to go this slow, but you may want to try it out. It gives you time to absord the information and ask quesitons.

Another thing that can help is, when you get that anxious feeling to start learning/reading about programming in yoru case, dont' go blow it all in one go, so to speak. Even if it's hard putting down the book, and you want to keep reading, set a time limit for yourself, go for that, and when you have reached it, lay the reading aside. This helps you keept that anxious feeling and helps you retain the information you just read better.

Also, try reading or thinking about what you read every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. It keeps you in habit and gives you a sense of (even though small) progression.

drink alcohol

It happens to me occasionally aswell. Although I have never said to myself, "programming isn't what i really want". I just take a break for a few days and looks for some new ideas to go back to.

gcn_zelda :
I wish that works for me.

Originally Posted by dpro

but oftentimes its just that I am a bit of a nerd at heart and always am fascinated by computers in the end. So that helps me get back into the swing of things.

hehe yea i know what you mean. I'm not 100% nerd because i'm social and not unattractive

jrahhali :
Nice idea , i thought about once. I'll try to resist the temptation next time

Originally Posted by Darkness

drink alcohol

lol its not THAT bad. I don't drink alcohol anyway.


sand_man :
Seems like its natural then

I have that feeling often but it doesnt last longer then a day usually, it doesn´t bother me or anything.

Except when im in school and we have programming class,and i have that kind of feeling then i´ll just sit back and relax and catch up with the rest whenever i feel like programming.

Also i dont´t know why but usually i start programming in the evening, during the day i don´t feel like programming too much since theres a lot of distraction going on, but during the evening-night everything is quiet ( except for the thinking going on in my head ).

I think it´s a normal thing .

I found this out, too. I decided I don't want a career in computers. I don't think it's right for me - I am just too lazy. I don't want to think, and I'm not driven to WANT to finish a problem. Culture and language fits into my mind much better, and I've always been interested in the world we live in.

Originally Posted by Brain Cell

I'm sure that everyone had this feeling before. But how long does it usually last?

I ALWAYS suffer from this , i get it too often to the point i think that programming isn't what i really want. It usually lasts from a day to 2-3 weeks. I don't feel like reading any book\tutorial , learning or programming anything during it. All i want to do is play PS2 , watch a movie , go out or do anything else that doesn't require any brains.

This doesn't only keep me away from programming and let me waste my time on other stuff ; i always find myself forgetting stuff and needing to review them wich makes my waste my time on things i've already learned. This feeling made me learn C in couple of months instead of 2-3 months. And apparently the same thing will happen with C++.

Do you get this feeling often? if so , how do you overcome it?


any help is appreciated

This could be serious. How could you live 2-3 weeks "avoiding" what supposely you'd love doing? I wish I had more time to read books on programming and apply it.
I think it's time for you to weight all your options. Programming may not what you really want. What makes you go back to it after hibernating? Is it just because you need to have a career someday and you see no other field as an option? If so, what can I say? It'll be suck having to do what you don't enjoy doing.

Programming involves thinking, and lots of thinking leads to mental exhaustion, and over time, burnout. It's very normal to get sick of programming and not want to do it.

Most people agree that having balance is the most important thing to living a happy and productive life. Unfortunately I don't live by my own words, I often become obsessed with doing certain things, luckily they are productive things and not bad things.

I think i found out whats wrong with me. I'm depressed. I get this depression from time to time.

One of depression's symptoms , according to [url=http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/depression/depress.html]this link[/urll] is "Diminished interest in and enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities-sex, sports, hobbies, going out with friends, etc." , so i guess thats it. I think its the reason i typed "blue member" under my name

Originally Posted by alphaoide

What makes you go back to it after hibernating?

Because i love programming. I even in enjoy it more when it goes more difficult , but currently i don't even want to look at my C++ book nor program anything.


uh .. well .. i feel real bad now so i better stop typing before i start saying stupid stuff.

Thanks for participating Gangylamb , lurker , alphaoide and SourceCode

i have the same feeling sometimes, when i don't feel like programming, or reading stuff related to it. it is usually when i have studied chemistry, coz i am still in school and learning up the reactions sucks bigtime. , but i get by this feeling in a day or two. usually i go to sleep, or listen to music, and dont try to think of anything related to programming at all. else i read up on jokes, or just turn off the comp and read a good novel or something..i just love reading Gardener's Perry Mason series..and reading does help to get past this "feeling".
and yes brain cell, i dont know how old you are, but if you are considering software engineering as a career, then you better be prepared for such mental exhaustion..coz when you are on a job, you dont get that "day or two" to get back to normal. you have to deliver you best and thats what yo boss expects take care .

Originally Posted by Darkness

drink alcohol

Do this.

Originally Posted by BMJ

Do this.

Not so good if he is depressed though

Personally I'm diabetic so I choose not to drink, rather not suffer the often times weird side-effects. Its a choice that can be difficult, but thats my life and not yours :P. Anyway if you are depressed brain cell I hope all goes well.

But people go back to what they love, even if you can't stand it for a while, you go back because its fun and enjoyable at heart. Programming does lead to mental exhaustion, but it can be very rewarding as well.