| I've been in that place. It's really tough, I know your pain. My tips: - Don't make it bigger than it is. Your only job is to write the code. Whether it's great or awesome or shit is not your problem, other people will decide that when you ship it (and you can change it later if you agree with them then). For now, you just have to get it done as best you can. - Your inner critic will be running rampant, telling you that it's never going to be successful, that you're crap at coding, that you should just go and get a job. You can't shut it up, but you don't have to listen to it. It might be right, in that what is says may be true, but it's not helpful right now. Try to disregard anything that isn't helpful, even (especially!) if it's true. - Creating new things is really tough. Go gentle with yourself. Don't beat yourself up for not getting stuff done, but give yourself some credit for creating something new. Each day you manage to create something is a day well-spent, so try and clap yourself on the back for that instead of beating yourself up about how much more you've got to do. - As the others have said; give yourself some time off. You know the point each day where you start having to push yourself to keep going. Don't. Stop there, and do something else (I do odd bits of leatherwork, woodwork or bonecarving, or play video games if I don't feel creative). Gradually, I've found that the amount I can do each day is naturally extending without me having to push it. - Socialise. Friends' encouragement is good motivation :) Be honest about what you're facing and how hard it is (and don't be tempted to bullshit). You'll get a positive response and the support you need. Good luck, it's a nasty hole to dig yourself out of, but you can do it. |