Discussion on: Full-time, side projects, learning, and staying sane

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Great article Anna, you are spot on!

Eliminate commute as much as possible. Alternatively, reduce your commute as much as possible and learn to enjoy it. I love walking to work while listening to a podcast, or taking the metro while reading a good book on my kindle. :D
Exercise and rest. Very yes on all of this. I call this my cornerstone habits. They make everything else in your life better.
Focus. This is the secret to being really productive while keeping yourself sane.
Do a little bit every day. Totally agree. On two fronts, the results of continuously iterating every day are just amazing and, as you say, silencing that voice in your head, or yearning within your soul. I have a completely different level of inner peace if I find time to work on any of my little love projects. And I'm that much more engaged with those around me.

I had the same experience when I started working at my first full time job as an engineer (yeeeears ago). I remember being always extremely tired and feeling like that work took all of my life and energy out of me. I wondered, is this all there is to life? Is this how my life is going to look for the next 50 years? :D (Back then I didn't know yet I would fall in love with developing software)

The whole thing made me become quite obsessed with being more productive (doing more meaningful things with less) and living a more purposeful and thoughtful life. I wrote an article a while back on how I use goals, systems, reflection, purpose and values to live happier and do more of the stuff that I care about. Could be interesting 😊