When did you honestly accepted that programming is not for you?

I realized that software development as a career was getting boring. I'm a good developer and I can solve challenging problems. I quickly became a lead and found it fun coaching junior devs but I have no interest in management so that path wasn't going to work. I tried solving higher level architecture problems and that was fun for a while and then I got bored again.

I've now moved into product and business strategy. This is still solving problems but at a higher level. I'm not naturally good at it so it's challenging me which is satisfying.

The other advantage is I'm not using the technical part of my brain during work so I'm able to enjoy programming as a hobby which I'm really enjoying.

I'm still kind of confused. I'm really good at developing and I could make a lot more money with a lot less effort but it just feels empty. I like being challenged and being forced to grow, so getting into a different field is enjoyable for now.

Just recently actually. Well, at least as a career, I think if I could eventually return it just to a hobby I could enjoy it again.

But as of recently, I want nothing to do with programming or programmers.

The moment you aren’t fascinated by software, the sheer magic of it, that’s when I would throw in the towel.