So I've been working later and later these past few months, which has resulted in me drinking coffee at absurd hours of the day. I think I've been getting maybe 4 hours of sleep a day over the past several months in the name of "productivity", however this past week things have finally caught up to me. After being sick for several days and sleeping most of that time I found something I'm scared to admit.... coffee is killing my creativity.
If you know anything about me, you know I drink coffee like water! It's always been a huge part of my life. I find myself most nights grabbing a cup of coffee right before I sit down to program because I enjoy the focus is gives me in the moment. Lately though I've been finding I can't focus for more than 15 minutes on work. After countless times trying to sit down and create, I started thinking I was never going to get back into it.
Last night however, I had the best night of game development I have had in months! I actually managed to write up a game doc, create some art assets, learn some new concepts and put them all together! And the craziest thing was I did that in a matter of 2 hours.
Looking back I realize that last night I was the most rested I have been in months. I think I had two full days of 10 hours+ sleep and some naps mixed in. Who would have thought a well rested mind is productive!
I'm not sharing this because it's revolutionary or anything. I'm sharing it because I found my self digging a hole inch by inch without noticing anything until it literally took me getting sick and sleeping for 2 days to get out of it.
Here's to sleep! And more gamedev!
Discussion
It sounds like you've been working very hard, and slowly approached a burnout period. If that's for a hobby project, I would suggest when that happens to take a few days off, and do something that requires less/no responsibilities.
Yeah I've definitely been burning the candle at both ends. COVID has made the work-day a blur for me. I had no real "end" to my work day and it has impacted me greatly. I've recently shifted away from a laptop to a desktop so I can make my work harder to get to :)
I always feel like having a physical distinction or separation from what you're doing also helps shift your mindset on what you're working on.
I'm glad you found rest to be very productive! Also glad your heart hasn't given out yet 😄.
I feel like I say this every other week, but my programming class my teacher told us, if you can't figure it out take a break or go to bed and it will make more sense later.
I know I've definitely said, "This is a tomorrow problem" and showed up the next day with a solution in mind already!
Yeah, I did some reading on what exactly sleep does and apparently it actually helps solidify things you've placed in your short term memory.
Honestly surprised that NO coffee helped you be more productive and more creative. I don't feel like I necessarily NEED coffee, but I feel like I think better with a warm cup within arm's reach.