Project update #7 - Bumpy yet exciting road ahead

Thanks for coming back again for this 7th episode of my series on building a new iPhone app. I am excited to say that these few days since last update were great! Without further ado, lets get into it.

What I've been up to these last 3 days

1) Working on the new app!

I am psyched to say that I've spent most of the time working on my new app. Quite ironically, there was already quite big struggle on Monday - I got stuck with the core component of the app, and it seemed like it might not even be possible to make it the way I imagined. Combined with my weariness from the weekend, I had a pretty bad mood that evening.

Those thoughts that all the excitement for it that I had for months might had been just my idealism, the thoughts along the lines of "who am I kidding? This can't possibly be successful. I am doomed.". It was rough. So I made what I think was the best I could do at that time - I went to bed early. As in 9:20 PM early.

On Tuesday, I started by getting some exercise in the gym. Fortunately, the rest I got from the long sleep combined with the freshness from the gym got me in much better mood. Then I went to the office and continued with the app throughout the day. Long story short, I solved the thing I got stuck at on Monday. And I've covered all the possible interactions and now it's working great! I was so glad, so fulfilled. Plus, the optimism is back!

If you are experiencing similar mood swings in your own side project (or even main one), don't get discouraged. I know it's hard and there come times when things seem pointless. My only advice how to get through: Carry on, hope for better tomorrows, and it will get better. Plus, over time, you will get more resilient to it. Trust me.

This morning, I worked on the app some more and pushed further the core component. Finishing it is now matter of a few days, and the other things will hopefully go faster.

2) Pushing forward my new website

Yesterday in late afternoon, I met with my friend who is coding my new website and we discussed what needs to be done to finish it. I have a pretty good feeling about it, if everything goes as planned, it will launch this weekend.

3) Client job is DONE.

I've finished, tweaked and fixed everything I was ask to, and now I just wait for my invoice to be paid. Hopefully, it will go smoothly. I will show more excitement and relief over this once I have the money in my account ;).

4) Other stuff

I went cycling this afternoon. It was quite cold but the sun was shining. I am really tired right now, but also happy. Here is the route (tracked with Routie):

Another (great!) news is that Routie update 2.8 with Apple Watch app got approved! I am glad it worked out and I have it ready for the Apple Watch launch, because just a few weeks ago, it almost seemed like I won't make it.

The lesson

To be honest, I don't have anything out-of-the-ordinary for this post. Perhaps the thing with trying to overcome difficulties that I mentioned above, but that's not really a lesson.

Everybody has to go through it themselves and there is no universal 'fix' that will make it easier. Maybe just being aware that most people struggle as well, and that it's perfectly normal to have ups and downs.

My plans

Short term, I want to get the new website up and running. It is long overdue.

Besides that, I mostly plan to work on the new app. I am excited that I will now be able to give it my full attention, and I know that this unobstructed focus makes a huge difference.

I have to admit, I am really tired right now so I will just end it here. I'll try to do a better job with the next update. For now, goodbye! And whatever you are struggling with right now, I just want you to know that you will get through it!

If you have some coping strategies that work for you, I'd love to hear about them in the comments.