Originally published on Medium.
Sharing my honest experience with mental overload and simple changes that helped me reset.
Why Developers Struggle to Focus (And What Helped Me)
As a self-taught frontend developer, staying focused is one of the hardest parts of the journey.
It's not just the learning curve. It's the distractions, the pressure, and the never-ending voice that says, "You're not doing enough."
In this post, I want to be honest about how I’ve struggled with focus — and what small things started to help.
🧠 The Real Problem: Focus Isn't Just About Discipline
I used to think lack of focus meant lack of willpower.
So I tried forcing myself into 10-hour days, strict Pomodoro timers, “no phone” blocks.
None of it worked long-term.
The real issue? My mind was overloaded.
- Too many open tabs
- Too many unfinished tutorials
- Too much comparison
- Too little rest
💡 What Started to Work
1. The One Task Rule
Every morning, I write one single task that matters most.
Not 5 goals. Not a long list. Just one.
If I finish it, I win the day.
2. Changing My Workspace = Changing My Headspace
I started working from one place only — clean, distraction-free.
Phone stays in another room. Browser has only 1–2 tabs open max.
Even switching to a different desk helped.
3. Walking Instead of Breaking
When I felt burned out, I used to scroll social media.
Now I walk — even just 10 minutes. No headphones. No thinking. Just walk.
It resets my brain better than anything else.
4. Celebrating Finishing (Not Perfection)
I stopped waiting to "feel perfect" to code, to write, to publish.
Now I celebrate done work. A small feature. A commit. A published post.
Done > Perfect.
🧠 Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling to focus — you’re not alone.
This isn't about being lazy. It’s about being human, overwhelmed by too much input and too little clarity.
Try simplifying. Try slowing down. Try making it easier for your brain to say yes.
💬 What about you?
Have you struggled with focus as a developer?
Drop a comment — maybe we’re not that different.
✍️ Written by @denizgokbudak
Frontend developer sharing thoughts on React, Next.js, and developer mindset.
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