Advent of Code is the Perfect Coding Ritual
One thing Advent of Code reminds me of every year is how much I enjoy solving coding problems. Working on the daily challenge gets me in a flow state where I completely lose track of time. The 6 AM release of each problem is, without fail, the most reliable alarm clock I’ve ever had.
The amount of joy I get from this experience makes me question why I stepped away from being a full-time professional developer. Why did I trade full-time coding for teaching new generations the programming skills they'll use and enjoy for a lifetime?
Deep down, I know the reason. Too much of anything, even something you love, can wear you out and drain all the joy it once brought. Dive too deep into any hobby, and you risk killing it. Teaching software development lets me zoom out. Instead of falling down into a well of endless coding sessions, I get to think about programming challenges with my students, exploring solutions together. This change has brought some balance to a life that once tipped too far in one direction.
Advent of Code feels like the perfect annual reminder to keep the flame burning without it burning out.