Look out the window.

I've been thinking a lot recently. After completing work on a long writing/research endeavour, a considerable mental space opened up, and naturally new thoughts wandered in.

Primarily what has occupied me is how I can become a better programmer; not only technically, but also in the sense of overcoming my biology in ways that allow me to provide my mind more opportunity to thrive. I spend most days in a haze, fatigued & reality-adjacent, struggling to adhere to a schedule that others make look so easy, but as I was perusing the back side of the internet, reading forums, and taking in perspective, one line stood out to me;

"...programmers need to learn to tell when the most productive thing they can do is go look out the window."

I interpret this statement as being able to ride the flucuating waves of one's energy, to make the most effective use of it. It's knowing when you're ineffective at writing code, so instead you work on some documentation, or when you're spiralling into madness trying to find a bug, so you walk away for the evening to sleep on it, or literally from the quote above, when you just need to step away for a few minutes to get coffee or look out a window. Essentially, it's being aware of your body, listening to it, and knowing where you're at your best, right now.

So, something I'm trying is to be more attentive to my energy in all forms, and instead of focusing on that huge task when I'm really not in the mood, I'll instead try to refocus and make progress in other, less mentally taxing (but arguably as important) areas. Naturally there are some time-sensitive unforeseen tasks that can't wait, but that's expected, and it's also a powerful motivator, but for those times when I'm afforded freedom and autonomy, I will slice through those waves to the best of my ability.