a thing I have learned about my brain
Over the years I've started 'designing upfront' for the software I write more and more. And this is broadly a good thing, but one problematic effect it's had, is that the actual *writing code* part frequently gets stuck on mental blocks.
The design part is fine! But putting it into code became more and more difficult, and it felt like the amount of stuff I *actually* got done went down.
So as it turns out, my brain needs to see a thing 'working' to be able to continue focusing on it and being motivated about working on it. It doesn't have to *actually* work, it can be completely fabricated behaviour, it just needs to *look* like it works.
So... over the past two weeks I've been getting a lot of shit done in my projects, by writing the absolute most fake implementation of things where everything is simulated with `console.log`s (but according to the architectural design!), and then gradually replacing parts of the code with bits that actually do the work.
re: a thing I have learned about my brain
@joepie91 I've experienced similar, my sense is that (at least for me) it's more of a working memory issue (which I'd also attribute to ADHD).
If I start building a new complex system with many parts that all need to connect, I feel like I need to hold that whole system in my head to work on any piece of it, which overwhelms me. Once I get a hacky framework in place I can focus on small pieces individually and feel confident the connections will line up.
a thing I have learned about my brain
@joepie91
Sounds a bit like the problem I have when writing natural language. A blank page will make my brain freeze, but having something existing to correct, improve or extend is much easier. So yeah, the solution is put down anything, regardless of quality, then iterate on it.
a thing I have learned about my brain
@joepie91
Also, returning to software, I can't do up front design much these days due to wonky brain, but when I do I hit another problem. One naturally keeps thinking until the core design seems watertight .. but then it feels like the problem has been solved, and there's a really reduced desire to actually implement it!
re: a thing I have learned about my brain
I assume that this is probably an #ADHD thing, and it's kind of absurd how well it works, given that I'm fully aware of the deception involved.