Why can't I code sometimes?

Question

Work organization

Hello. I am a freelance programmer. I love programming very much. I do it from the heart. When there are no orders, I do my own projects, I constantly come up with something. I also read books and articles on this topic ... In short, I love this business, and have been in it for 5 years.
BUT! At times in the brain (?) something seems to be torn and I can not code. Sometimes it’s physiological: I sit down at the computer, but my back immediately starts to hurt, or I can’t concentrate, or my eyes water. Of course, the dispersion affects more - I just can’t connect a couple of words, let alone write code. And it can last 2-4 weeks.
Sometimes it happens psychologically - I delay writing the code, as if I'm afraid to spoil the brain maybe?

But when it passes, I then 1-2 months with excitement I will burn out. Before going to bed, I already know what I will code tomorrow and how. I also write documentation, articles, translate something ...

But the question is: who has come across something like this? Why is this happening? Whether it is possible to reduce these intervals of "inactivity"?

Answer 1

It's time to go to the doctors. Further it will be worse. I am not a doctor, but from personal experience and observation of colleagues (speaking of the benefits of working in the office).

but my back starts hurting

neurologist. Most likely spinal problems. Wrong workplace, lack of exercise, poor sleeping place.

watery eyes

The ophthalmologist - at the best a syndrome of a dry eye. watery eyes are one of the symptoms of their drying up.

I can not concentrate

neurologist/psychiatrist. if accompanied by a headache - a neurologist with a set of examinations (ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, MRI of the spine, neck, brain)

Sometimes it's psychological - I delay writing code

psychologist / psychiatrist / psychotherapist. What's going on in your heart, only they can understand. And even more help.

But when it passes, I then 1-2 months with excitement I will burn out. Before going to bed, I already know what I will code tomorrow and how. I also write documentation, articles, translate something...

perhaps the wrong organization of the workflow.
maybe you work 1-2 months for 10 hours without days off.
rest is also work.
but a good topic for a conversation with a psychiatrist on the subject of bipolar

And the question is: who faced this? Why is this happening? Whether it is possible to reduce these intervals of "inactivity"?

establish a regime of work and rest, check the health of at least the specialists above. Then they will advise.
perhaps it is worth raising the issue of professional burnout and solving it with specialists.

Answer 2

It's more of a burnout. Try to make a normal mode of work and not waste time on unnecessary projects.

Answer 3

Many modern programmers suffer from this. They came up with a bunch of excuses, such as procrastination and burnout. But I believe that this is just lack of will and indiscipline in the vast majority of cases. You work when you are in the mood, when you are interested. You have to work according to the schedule, no matter what. Doctors, metallurgists and everyone else sometimes don’t feel like going to work either, but they go to the workplace and fulfill the norm.

Answer 4

You devote a lot of time to work, because of this you exhaust the entire flow of the information you need to a minimum, later you just sit and don’t know what to do, why you feel bad. Set a limit on your programming day, such as 6 hours. If you sit more then be distracted, do something else and the rate of "adrenaline" will be restored. Translating favorite programming articles, helping others with code, reading articles also counts.

A loader can also carry 1,000 sacks of grain in 24 hours. But then he will lie at home and watch how other loaders carry bags, translate articles on how to wear them correctly, and will complain about back pain.

Answer 5

This is more likely to a neurologist, or a psychiatrist. This is not a joke, health is not a joke.

Answer 6

professional burnout. Change the mode of work / rest, for a while it is best to change activities to "reboot" the brain

Answer 7

Bipolar disorder.

Answer 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKxDKVHIZXo just recently the video was released. Some problems are similar to yours.
Inaction and sores - maybe mental, I'm not a doctor, in general, in order to clear the brain enough information is here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0wUrfRUN2F-5G_A... .
Sports will help in physical moments. Preferably one where communication is needed.

Answer 9

And the question is: who faced this? Why is this happening? Whether it is possible to reduce these intervals of "inactivity"?

I have faced and faced this! If I can’t concentrate, I notice procrastination behind me, then I just leave all projects for a while.
At a certain time, I severely limited the time allotted for office work to 2-3 hours a day. With this approach, you understand that there is little time and you need to do more, and not be distracted by the useless absorption of information from social networks. networks. There is no chair in the room, I work standing up. Strict restriction in the use of mob. phone before going to bed and in general.
As for me - the word "lazy" is some kind of archaism. Nowadays biology, chemistry, psychiatry explains everything....

Answer 10

Get a job

Answer 11

And you thought that hypodynamia improves health? Or that health is not needed for programming? Wake up Neo...

Answer 12

Psychics don't exist. They make diagnoses ...
Or pick up nurses or see a doctor.

Answer 13

Everything is in order with your health if you go in for sports, have a comfortable table, a large monitor, get up, warm up, stretch, look into the distance, take vitamins.
It is a subconscious search for a reason to rest. Pain is given to you so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
Someone very rightly said - sometimes a disease is given to a person so that he finally thinks about himself at least for this time.