Many developers feel like their job defines their worth. You spend your time thinking about how to be better at work. Closing more tickets, improving your code quality, and keeping up with other developers who seem to be thriving. But this constant pressure can lead to imposter syndrome, burnout, and a feeling of being trapped in the monotony of work.

Your identity becomes tied to how much praise you get from your manager. We’ve all had that boss who tells us we’re not doing enough, who pushes us to “be more productive” or “be more like Bob.” When your self-worth is measured by job performance, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never be enough.

I’ve felt the same way. At one point, I lost any sense of fulfillment in my job. Work became a cycle of waking up, working, and sleeping. I accepted that this was just life. But I was wrong.

Breaking Free from the Work-Identity Trap
One day, I stumbled across a YouTube Short from Pirate Software that changed my perspective. It made me realize I didn’t want my entire identity to be tied to my job. I wanted to build things that excited me.

So, I started doing just that.

  • I began writing on Medium. It gave me a creative outlet, a place where I could express my thoughts freely without the constraints of work. Here, I could write about anything that excited me.
  • I started coding for fun. No deadlines. No managers. No pressure to push to production. Just building whatever I wanted, at my own pace.
  • I dedicated time to learning. I no longer had to wait for “approval” to learn new skills. I could explore anything that interested me, whether it was improving my coding through LeetCode or sharpening my storytelling and communication skills.

How I Make Time for What Matters

You might be thinking, How do you find the time to do all of this after work? The truth is, I was exhausted at the end of the day too. But I realized I didn’t have to do everything at once. I set up a simple weekly schedule:

  • Sunday & Monday → Coding Days: I build whatever I want — projects, automations, or anything that excites me.
  • Tuesday & Wednesday → Learning Days: I use this time to level up — whether it’s coding, writing, or learning a new skill.
  • Thursday & Friday → Writing Days: I dedicate this time to Medium, reflecting on my week and sharing my experiences.
  • Saturday → Rest & Recharge: I unplug, go outside, and touch grass. I don’t want to burn out on the things I love.

Of course, this schedule isn’t rigid. If I’m excited about something, I let it overflow into the next day. The key is having a structure that ensures I keep progressing without feeling overwhelmed.

Your Worth is More Than Your Job

I encourage every developer reading this to find something outside of work that gives them fulfillment. Your job title doesn’t define you. The projects you create, the skills you develop, and the things you love outside of work do.

Because one day, you’ll leave that job. And when you do, you won’t feel lost — you’ll still have you.

So go build. Go learn. Go create. And most importantly, value yourself beyond your job.