Stressed or lucky?

Hi everyone, this is my first post, call me umbo.
I’m a frontend developer with 7 years of experience. I’m 30 years old, working full-time, specialized in Angular and React, and passionate about programming. You know, that passion that makes you spend nights in front of a computer learning new things, even if the next day you wake up with red eyes.

Yet, after all this time, I’m asking myself: am I stressed, or should I feel lucky?

Expectations vs. Reality

When I started my career, I had big dreams. I thought, “I’ll become an expert, earn well, and always be in demand.” Well, I’m an expert (or at least I try), but earning well… that’s another story.

In Italy, the reality for developers is a bit tough. With 7 years of experience, I make around €44,000 gross per year. Not bad, sure, but far from what I thought was possible in such a high-demand field. Here, it seems that only a few lucky ones (usually in their 50s or 60s) reach higher salaries.

Developers: Cost or Investment?

One thing that makes me think is this: developers in Italy are seen more as a cost than as an investment. Companies often don’t see the value we bring. And yet, we’re the ones building the systems, platforms, and apps they use every day.

Maybe I’m the one getting it wrong? Should I feel grateful for what I have?

Should I work for foreign companies?

Sometimes I think the solution might be working for foreign companies. After all, salaries abroad (even for remote developers) seem way higher than in Italy. I have friends working with international clients earning amounts that feel like science fiction here. But even there, it’s not all easy: there’s competition, a change in mindset, and, for someone with a family like me, the challenge of managing time zones and cultural differences.

Should I consider an alternative path?

Or maybe I should try to build something on my own? Perhaps start a YouTube channel, share my knowledge, create online courses, or work on a side project to generate extra income? The idea of being independent and building something for myself is tempting, but it takes time, energy, and, above all, courage. And with a young child, time is the scarcest resource I have!

Work, Family, and Time

To make things more complicated, there’s also my personal life. I have a 2year-old son (yes, I’m a dad!), and after work, there’s almost no time left for studying or improving my skills. Every day feels like a race against time.

But you know what? I love what I do. Even though it’s stressful, I enjoy creating, learning, and getting better.

Stressed or Lucky?

In the end, I’m stressed because I feel undervalued, but maybe I’m also lucky because I have a job I love and that gives me stability.

What about you? How do you feel about this situation? Are you stressed, or do you feel lucky? Share your experience in the comments!