Is this what I wanted?

Have you ever been on a roller-coaster that just wouldn’t stop?

Picture this — you’re staring at a screen filled with code, your eyes are heavy, your brain feels like it’s wading through molasses, and yet, you can’t stop.

The sad part? You’re not alone…!

In the tech world, change is the only constant. New programming languages emerge, older ones evolve, and what’s in demand today could be obsolete tomorrow. As software engineers, we’re expected to ride this wave of change. This means continuously learning, upskilling, and adapting.

But consider this — while you’re grappling with project deadlines and trying to maintain a semblance of work-life balance, you also have to find time to learn that new programming language or master that new framework. It’s like being in a perpetual race where the finish line keeps moving further away.

Have you ever felt the cold dread of being left behind? Imagine living with that fear constantly. Every new technology brings with it the anxiety of becoming irrelevant. It’s a harsh reality that many of us software engineers face.

As I dove deeper into this world, the allure only grew. Every project is an opportunity to learn, and every bug is a challenge to overcome. The long hours, the intense pressure, it all felt worth it. I was living the dream, or so I thought.

But the world of software engineering isn’t as rosy as I thought in college. I found myself questioning my choices, and the seeds of regret started to sprout.

Lifelong Learning as a Choice, not a Chore

The constant need to upskill can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Embracing lifelong learning as a choice, rather than a chore, can change our perspective. It’s about learning at your own pace, enjoying the process, and appreciating the journey rather than just focusing on the destination.

But at the end, question remains "Is this what I wanted?".