[mattbdc]

In such a competitive field, with more and more younger devs being integrated -- the world's best and brightest -- it's completely normal to feel that way.

But the reality is that what you're going through is probably more about a need to optimize for boosted cognitive function/ neuroplasticity / mental performance / healing at the cellular level. It's what a lot of us are dealing with as we approach or welcome the big 4-0 age. Me included.

Supplements, lifestyle modifications and behavioral changes are beneficial to help optimize for enhanced cognitive function. Here are some that have worked for me.

-15-30 min of sunlight + going for a walk every morning -Cold showers (can alternate hot + cold... or even better, 10 min sauna + 1 min cold shower cycles) -NMN/NAD -Creatine -Vitamin D3/K2 -Physical activity/exercise daily -- for me, weekly, it's 3 days of weight training, and 3-4 days of yoga/core work/rebounding/walking/etc. -Meditation/mindfullness -Social interaction (in person!) -Time-restricted eating/intermittent fasting

Hope this helps. It sounds like your programming skills are exactly where they need to be/up to par with industry standards, so focusing on the cognitive/mental performance area should help boost your workflow/output. Good luck! Really enjoyed reading this thread. A lot of gold in here.