When is it time to step down from a project?
I started coding when I was 12, and over time I’ve built tens of apps, websites and programs. Most of them didn’t have a clear purpose so I ended up leaving them unattended.
However, I do remember one particular project I created during the pandemic: an augmented reality app. I worked on the project for around three years and last summer, while talking to some friends and my mum, I ended up deciding to terminate the project.
Have you ever been in this type of situation where you are afraid of stepping down from a project because you’re perhaps emotionally attached to it?
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I'd like to ask: what did they tell you that made you decide to terminate the project? And what was the actual reason behind you terminating the project?
And yes, I have about three times now in my life, and I've always dreaded it afterwards, just due to having put so much love and effort and it just sucks to "give up" on an idea. But you brought it to life, you saw it through and should be proud you didn't waste it or stay as a thought. I think this is a slippery slope, as you shouldn't just seek to give up on something, great things take more than 5 years to really materialize.
But then on the other hand, you have to know when to pivot in life, if something isn't aligning with you anymore or isn't what you thought it was (very niche, not-wanted market you targeted unknowingly, don't care about the problem you're solving much).
Nomadful
@jordansvision The actual reason behind me terminating the project was that I spent too much time building it so I left barely some time for human interaction, and talking with friends and family I concluded that spending so much time on the project wasn't healthy, and it didn't make me happy anymore. After all, it was just a high school project I dreamt of skyrocketing but since there wasn't a clear purpose... so it never got to that point. I decided to prioritise my feelings.
P.S. I like to bootstrap all my projects, so another reason I terminated the project was that I was running out of savings!
@manuelzarroca Sometimes that's the price of building something you desire or want to go far! I understand if it stopped serving you or if it didn't have much purpose though, it wouldn't make sense to continue doing it in that case, but the feeling of pivoting would still be appropriate to feel, you know?
Also why do you like to bootstrap, if you don't mind?
Nomadful
@jordansvision Exactly, I get that part. That feeling of "doing tech" is great and just can't be put into words sometimes... but it makes me feel very grateful.
I like to bootstrap my projects because I'm a student and in some way it makes me feel independent to be able to finance them myself. Although on the other hand, as some days are better than others, it feels like you're literally working to keep your projects alive.
Absolutely relate to this.
Letting go of something you’ve poured time, effort, and emotion into — especially over multiple years — is incredibly difficult.
I’ve also started building early (around 12), and over the years I’ve shipped (and abandoned) a number of side projects and tools. One of them I held onto way too long, just because I was emotionally invested.
But stepping down doesn’t mean failure — it’s often the clearest sign of growth. That mental space can unlock so much clarity for what actually matters to you today.
Thanks for sharing your story — it really hits home.
Nomadful
@gpix_dev Thank you for sharing! Indeed, the mental space that comes after letting go can unlock new ways for you to see the world and find something it actually needs, so you can build it. I agree, stepping down isn't failing, and you can always start again.
I was also emotionally invested on this one project I was talking about, so I wanted to ask you... what was your project about?