Skip to content

Ask HN: How should I return to programming after a year long break?

1 pointkanonieerdiscuss
On HN

I've been a programmer for close to a decade and I've always shifted between periods of extreme productivity and periods of burnout resulting in 1-2 months of sabbaticals. During these short rest periods I limit my programming exposure to replying to a few PR requests, answering some questions on SO and doing some light reading.

My last burnout however, ended up with me taking a year long mental break. And unlike the previous breaks, this time I pretty muched stayed away from literally any activity that's related to programming.

Now that I feel recharged and have a healthy level of curiosity, I want to chart my comeback. However since I've not experienced such a time gap before, I have fears that I'll be rusty as hell and that I won't be able to get back in shape. Even dusting off my dotfiles feels like a challenge.

So my question is for people who have experienced such long breaks, how did you handle your comeback? Do you have any tips for me?

Thanks

Comments

No comments yet.

AboutSource Built by g1lg1l

Hackerly is an independent reader for Hacker News, built on the public HN API. Not affiliated with Y Combinator.