From Doom Scrolling to Code Rolling: My Developer Revival Story 🚀

From Doom Scrolling to Code Rolling: My Developer Revival Story 🚀

The Dark Before Dawn 🌑

Before 2024, I was your typical doom-scroller. You know the drill - endless Douyin (Chinese TikTok) sessions, minimal life goals, and a constant battle with depression. Work was just… work. Nothing more.

The Plot Twist 🔄

Enter my colleague @JiaLiangC - the unexpected mentor who changed everything. Through his book recommendations and a beginner-friendly programming course, I found my spark again.

The Technical Awakening 💻

2024 became my year of coding renaissance:

• Built a simplified Tomcat implementation
• Started diving into Spring framework internals
• Made my first open-source contributions
• Learned under @JiaLiangC’s guidance

Sure, these might sound like baby steps to some, but hey - every developer started somewhere, right?

Beyond the Code 🌱

But wait, there’s more! This transformation wasn’t just about coding:

• Dove deep into psychology and social science books
• Started a consistent workout routine 💪
• Began learning English seriously
• Significantly reduced screen time
• Sought professional help for depression

The Results? 📈

Map<String, LifeState> life = Map.of(
    "before2024", new LifeState(0, null, null),
    "after2024", new LifeState(100, "clear", true)
);

What’s Next? 🎯

As I step into 2025, I’m no longer that person mindlessly scrolling through social media. I’m a developer-in-progress, an open-source contributor, and most importantly - someone who’s excited about the future.

The Takeaway 💡

If you’re stuck in a rut, remember: change is possible. Sometimes all it takes is:

• The right mentor
• A willingness to learn
• Taking care of your mental health
• Consistent small steps forward

Has anyone else experienced a similar transformation? What was your turning point? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇

Note: This post is dedicated to @JiaLiangC - thank you for being the catalyst for change!