Working solo sounds like freedom.
And in many ways, it is.
No daily standups.
No endless meetings.
No “Can you just…” messages at 9 PM.
But it also comes with silence. Doubt. And days where nothing moves unless you move it.
Over the years, I’ve found a few things that keep me grounded and motivated — even when no one’s watching.
1. I Celebrate Small Wins
When you’re working solo, there’s no team Slack channel to say “well done.”
So I’ve learned to pause and celebrate:
- A bug fixed that took hours to track.
- A new active install on a plugin I launched.
- Even just writing one good blog post.
The small wins are the fuel.
2. I Build in Public (Even a Little)
Sharing what I’m working on — on Twitter, through my blog, or now via YouTube — creates a gentle sense of accountability.
It’s not about likes or validation.
It’s about momentum.
It reminds me that someone, somewhere, might find this useful.
3. I Keep a “Why” Document
I maintain a small note (on paper + Notion) with reasons I chose this path:
- More freedom.
- Creative control.
- To build tools I wish existed.
On slow days, I revisit it.
It helps.
4. I Switch Context with Purpose
If I’m tired of writing PHP, I might write an article.
If content feels stale, I work on a plugin UI.
If I need inspiration, I go for a ride.
Solo devs can shift gears fast — that’s a superpower when used wisely.
5. I Remember It’s Okay to Pause
Motivation comes and goes.
I’ve learned not to panic when it dips.
Instead of pushing through burnout, I step back.
I rest. I walk. I ride my Yezdi through the hills.
The work will wait — and it’s always better when I return with energy.
Final Thought
Staying motivated isn’t about hacks or perfect habits.
It’s about staying connected to why you’re doing this, and giving yourself enough room to enjoy the process.
Some days are for launching.
Some are for listening.
And some are for just writing one good line of code and calling it a win.