> 2022-03-10

Writing software typically occurs in rapid iterations and can have a similarly rapid emotional cycle attached to the work. Personally, this can be mapped to confidence over time in the plot below.

The pattern goes something like this:

• confidence increases as software is shipped
• something breaks which halts the rising confidence
• “Why did I ever choose to work in software?” => self-loathing
• confidence moves lower while the problem is worked on
• something fixes the problem bottoming the drop
• “Why did I think I could do this?” => imposter syndrome
• and then the cycle repeats itself

This is a tongue-in-cheek representation, but in actuality, I think a mature developer recognizes this and takes steps to keep the slopes flat as possible.

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