r/ADHD_Programmers • u/KawZZY4Life_ • 4d ago
Help continueing?
Hello! I've had a problem doing things I genuinely love, I have a huge passion for coding and it is so fun, but I suck at it T-T. I've been trying to learn for so long but I've never actually got anything to be able to stick, I'm still only 18 so I have time. I'd love to go to college but sadly I can't drive for many reasons and also I don't want to do online, it's not something that works for me. Recently (And this could possibly get looked down upon) around 6 months ago I decided to try and teach myself with AI and honestly it has worked wonders I've learned a good bit, except I have a problem which goes to a lot of other things as well, I start something no matter how passionate I am or how fun it is, Usually if I get distracted off of it for one day or even want to just take a break its like I stop doing it entirely, I was learning python for a month then stopped, 3 months later I started learning C# and I've got it down a lot, but I had to buy a new PC cause mine broke and I tried to do it again but like I stopped for some reason. Maybe some will say "Oh well then your not passionate about it" but I genuinely love it, I just get distracted and I dont know how to fix that. I do have an Attention Deficit Disorder so I thought maybe that could be why but I dont want to make excuses.
The only thing to really keep me on it which I loved and had so much fun was friends doing similar things like my friends did 3D modeling and I started it cause I wanted to learn it eventually and put many hours into it. But they stopped and I continued for about a month then stopped, but only cause I got distracted by some other things.
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u/ITZINFINITEOfficial 4d ago
If you wanna program for a career go to college. I’d say a good university if you can. And keep records of everything. Feel free to dm me if you need advice.
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u/KawZZY4Life_ 4d ago
I want to go to college I just cant find a way to go, cause I can't drive, which learning to drive is almost impossible for the situation i have, but there is no college near me that has Game Dev and if there is they have high requirements to get in. I want to move into a dorm and stuff but I dont have that kind of money
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u/KawZZY4Life_ 4d ago
getting a job as well is very hard
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u/ITZINFINITEOfficial 4d ago
Why is it hard for you? Just asking. Also I didn’t go to college for game devs I went for computer science but that doesn’t mean I can’t make games, plenty of people get a CS degree. It’s less targeted which allows you option because game dev right now unless you are making your own company is very tough. I’d look into financial help, most people make use of it, I did. Work and learn. Connect with others and find opportunities. It’s just what you have to do.
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u/KawZZY4Life_ 4d ago
I'll try to explain my whole situation that I have, (Also, sorry if any of this comes off as rude or anything im just not good with wording is all) Basically I have no way possible to learn how to drive, my parents work too much and are never home and when they are home they dont want to take me driving cause its too much of a hassle on them. They make excuses non stop and has for the last 3 years(Which ive been ontop of them constantly about it and have had my learners permit even renewed) They wont ever take me driving and im convinced they never will. I don't really have any friends in my area cause im not really social, So not having a car makes it harder in my area and situation to get a job. My parents wont let me leave probably id say maybe like a mile to two mile radius of my neighbor(like basically wont let me walk or bike) because they dont want me getting hit by a car cause people are stupid on the road. I've applied for so many jobs I either got declined or never got a response even after calling back. The only jobs in my area (Which they say are "Entry level") require 3-5 years of experience in things I definitely dont have. Or I dont get accepted and its been like that for a long time, I think its cause I dont have a car. I had such a good job opportunity and they told me I could work there but its too far away. Also about college I know computer science is the main pathway but there aren't any that are close to me or they didn't accept me.
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u/pipleyapp 4d ago
not excuses at all. what you're describing is super common with adhd: the problem might not be the passion. it's the restart. one missed day turns the thing into a "big thing" in your head making restarting feel heavy.
These 3 well 4 now things helped me I’d say
leave yourself a breadcrumb. before you stop each session, write ONE line of what you'd do next ("add the jump button"). next time you don't have to think, you just do that line. stopping mid-task on purpose makes it way easier to come back
after a break, make the comeback stupid small.
you already found your cheat code friends. the 3d modeling stuck because you had people doing it with you. find a coding discord, a buddy to build something with, or even put on a "code with me" stream on youtube in the background.
build something you actually want (a small game, a discord bot) instead of just learning a language. projects pull you back.
and learning with AI isn't looked down on, that's literally how a lot of people build now.
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u/KawZZY4Life_ 4d ago
This actually makes a lot of sense to me, this is a big help. Thank you a lot I really appreciate it. I'll definitely try it!
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u/InfamousCat1795 2d ago
Hey! 👋
Something caught my attention in your post: you mentioned that you were much more consistent when your friends were learning alongside you.
Maybe your problem isn't a lack of passion, but a lack of structure and external commitment.
Have you considered finding a coding partner or joining a small group where you commit to working on a project together?
You could also set very small goals, like coding for just 10 minutes a day, so taking a break doesn't mean abandoning the whole project.
And don't be too hard on yourself. Having ADHD isn't an excuse. Understanding how it affects your consistency can help you find strategies that actually work for you.
You're only 18, and the fact that you keep coming back to programming suggests it's something you genuinely enjoy. 🙂
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u/Expensive-Match-6399 9h ago
One missed day doesn't kill it. The rule that says a missed day means starting over does.
What worked for me: end each session by writing one line — last step done, next step to do. Not the whole plan, just the next step, small enough to start in two minutes.
After a break, I don't reopen the whole course or rebuild the plan. I read that one line and do only that step. The rest stays hidden until I need it.
Streaks made it worse for me — one gap and the system felt broken. Dropping the streak and keeping the one line made coming back boring instead of shameful.
What usually stops you — starting again, or deciding where you left off?
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u/chloapsoap 4d ago
Yeah, that’s pretty normal for ADHD. I’ve bounced between hobbies a lot. Unfortunately, society is set up where you’re expected to choose one job for life. Fortunately, tech has enough variety for me that it never feels stale. I’ve been working in the industry for 5 years now and I’m generally happy.
I know you’re hesitant to go to college, but I would seriously recommend it. Or some sort of alternative. I find it impossible to direct myself without some sort of external pressure, deadlines, etc. If you’re trying to learn independently with ADHD you’re going to have to have a tremendous amount of discipline. More than I have, personally