Ask HN: What to do when your side project is more fun than your job?
I'm now so immersed in a side project that my real job feels like drudgery. There's very little chance I can get management to endorse the project because it's too far from my actual job. How can u maintain the momentum without totally checking out at work?
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It might be worthwhile to spend a little time figuring out what it is that you find compelling about your side project and looking for a job that will bring you that.
Is it that you’re learning new things in your side project but stagnating in your job? Maybe you find the industry or subject matter more compelling? Maybe you’re getting positive feedback from the side project (even if not from other people, just in the form of dopamine hits for each bit of progress) in a way you currently can’t from your job? Or maybe it’s just that you’re working on it by choice — and if you quit your job and work on the side project full time that will feel like a slog too?
Software developers are in demand. A new job may satisfy many of these reasons. Or you might be able to get your boss to allow you to work on things you’d find more satisfying. By in order to do that, you need to know what satisfying actually is to you.
"Take 1 month break"
I had the similar situation, I was so immersed on one of the side project that I couldn't sleep at nights thinking about the future prospects for this project. I could no longer focus on my employer's work. At the same time, I did not have enough conviction to pursue the side project full time without salary.
I told my boss everything honestly. We discussed that it would be better for the company and myself that I take 1 month break from job and work on the side project; then decide whether to pursue the side project or the job with full focus.
I got the momentum in the project, so I chose to pursue this project full time and left the company. Couldn't have been possible without an understanding boss and an honest conversation.
I monetized my side project which can now cover about 30-40% of my monthly costs + I went into freelancing so I would now change company / project every 4 to 12 months, so it never gets boring too long (if it starts to get boring and the project doesn't need me, I don't extend the contract and look for a new project).
I think being a contract freelancer also helped me detach emotionally from work; I do work, they pay me, it's a simple transaction. Unless you own a stake in the company, it's the same for employees. My side project works a lot with environmental non governmental organizations, but my freelance work has sent me to e.g. online shop for luxury jewelry, or a big retailer or several agencies working for global Fortune 500 type companies.
I'm in LOVE with my side project, OneFiftyOne (onefiftyone.run). It gives me intense satisfaction, and I get to take part in politics on the ground floor and feel like I'm really making a difference and having an influence.
That being said, I'm currently at exactly $350 MRR. I'm a young (25) newlywed with no parental financial support and my wife is a student.
I'm trying to get into an accelerator (just applied to my local TechStars) to help give me a runway that I don't have to have a full-time job. That's plan A. Regardless of plan A's success, though, I'm working my ass off to get it more profitable to be able to support my wife and I.
Depending on your situation, the other answers in this thread may help. Assuming they're not viable for you, you could try reframing the situation. You now have something to look forward to on your off time that can be used to help during difficult times at work. Also, working on a project that you like all the time could maybe make it less appealing over time, similar to over-listening to a song. Maybe you haven't realised it but the immersion you have could be because you have breaks in between sessions for work.