Anxiety & Coding: My Unexpected Companion on the Development Journey
Anxiety and coding don't seem like they should go together, but they're often inseparable. Here's how I learned to work with my anxiety instead of fighting it.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 · 8 min read · By Kevin Moe Myint Myat
I used to think that anxiety was a sign that I wasn’t cut out for development. Every time I felt anxious about a deadline or a complex problem, I’d question my career choice. Then I learned that anxiety can actually be a superpower.
The Anxiety Paradox
Anxiety is your body's way of saying "this matters." When I'm anxious
about code quality, it means I care about doing good work. When I'm
anxious about deadlines, it means I'm committed to meeting them.
Anxiety: the developer's unexpected ally
The Coping Strategies
I developed specific strategies for coding with anxiety: deep
breathing before starting, breaking problems into smaller pieces, and
reminding myself that anxiety is just energy that needs direction.
The Transformation
Instead of fighting my anxiety, I now channel it into focus and
attention to detail. My anxious energy becomes hyper-focus, and my
code quality has never been better.
How do you manage anxiety in your development practice?
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