Okay, deep breath. Where to begin? I’ve got so much swirling around in my head that it feels like I’m trapped in a browser with 57 open tabs—only they’re all autoplaying YouTube videos about building SaaS products, learning AI, and figuring out SEO. And here I am, trying to work on a simple blog with Next.js.

But wait, there’s more! Every time I sit down to focus, my brain whispers, “Hey, maybe you’re missing out on something BIG over here. What about that shiny new AI thing everyone’s talking about? Or that SaaS tutorial? You love SaaS tutorials!” (Which, let’s be honest, I do.) And off I go, chasing another rabbit hole.

If that wasn’t enough, I’ve also been contemplating my age. I’m 56, a self-taught developer who’s spent the last 17 years as a housewife, and I’m thinking, "Is a full-time job really for me at this point? Do I want that kind of pressure?” The answer is, probably not. After all, I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with my own pace—why throw myself into a 9-to-5? Yet, I’m also thinking, "How am I going to make this knowledge and skillset generate some income, something sustainable that’ll last for years?"

And there it is: a tangled, spaghetti-like mess of thoughts, ideas, and distractions that makes it hard to know where to start.

Let’s comb this mess out. One strand at a time.

The Self-Taught Developer Dilemma: Is It Job Time or Freelance Time?

The first thing I have to tackle is my internal debate over what exactly I want to do with my skills. I’ve been at home for 17 years, and while I’m loving the world of Python, JavaScript, and now Next.js, the thought of diving into a full-time dev job gives me pause. It’s not just that I’ve gotten used to the pace of my own schedule—it’s also that I’m 56. Let’s be real, I’m not 25 and eager to start climbing some tech career ladder. Plus, there’s the whole "get up, commute, and deal with office politics" situation.

I think I’ve already answered my own question here. Full-time job? Probably not for me.

But what about freelancing? That’s got potential. No rigid hours, no annoying bosses (except, of course, myself), and I could pick the projects that I actually want to work on. Plus, I’d get to keep learning new things and applying them in real-world scenarios. Sure, building a freelancing business takes time and effort, but it also comes with flexibility. And at this point, flexibility is worth its weight in gold.

The downside? Freelancing can be a bit unpredictable. Sure, it sounds fun now, but what happens if a few months go by without a client? It’s not like I can rely on my houseplants to bring in revenue (though, if there was a way to monetize how well I water them, I’d be set). So, freelancing is an option, but I need to approach it with caution.

The “Shiny Object Syndrome” of Learning

Here’s where I get really tangled. I love learning. Like, really love it. I could spend hours (and let’s be honest, I have spent hours) devouring YouTube tutorials, blog posts, and courses on the latest tech trends. Lately, SaaS and AI have been my main distractions—these are the "shiny objects" that keep pulling my attention away from the task at hand: building my blog with Next.js.

Now, don’t get me wrong—AI and SaaS are amazing. The potential there is huge, and the part of me that loves tinkering with new ideas is itching to dive in. But I’ve got to admit, I’m spreading myself too thin. I’m trying to build this blog, but at the same time, I’m learning SaaS strategies, and oh wait, here comes an AI course that promises to “change my life.” (Spoiler: it didn’t change my life, it just added another unfinished project to my pile.)

It’s like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle—sure, it looks impressive when you see it done on YouTube, but in reality, I’m wobbling all over the place.

The result? Not much actual progress.

Getting Real About My Age and Experience

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I’m 56, and while age isn’t a barrier to learning (seriously, I’ve never been more excited to code), it does bring some considerations. I’m not interested in pulling 12-hour days and grinding my way through junior developer roles. At this point in my life, I’m more interested in finding a balance. I want to work, sure, but not to the point where I burn myself out.

I also have 17 years of life experience that the average 20-something developer doesn’t have. I know how to manage my time (even though I’m currently failing at it with all these distractions), I know how to solve problems, and I’ve developed resilience from raising a family. These are all assets, not drawbacks.

That said, I do feel a bit of pressure. Technology moves fast, and the fear of getting left behind is very real. But here’s the thing: I don’t need to be an expert in everything. I don’t need to master SaaS and AI and Next.js and every other thing that comes along. What I need is a clear focus—a roadmap that will help me reach my goals without constantly veering off into shiny-object territory.

A Plan to Untangle the Mess and Focus on My Goals

So, after giving this some serious thought (and untangling the spaghetti in my brain), here’s the plan:

Focus on One Thing (The Blog) : First things first, I’m going to finish what I’ve started. I’ve got this blog I’m building in Next.js, and I actually really enjoy working on it. It’s a creative outlet, it helps me document my journey, and it could be the foundation for something bigger down the road.

I’m going to give myself two months to finish it. No more starting random SaaS tutorials or going down AI rabbit holes (I’ll still watch them, but only after blog work is done). The goal is to have the blog fully up and running by then—content, design, everything.

Use the Blog as a Springboard : Once the blog is live, I can start thinking about ways to build it into something more. Maybe I’ll monetize it through ads or affiliate links, or maybe I’ll offer some freelance services through the site. The point is, it gives me a foundation to grow from.

Also, I can test out some of those shiny SaaS or AI tools on my blog. Who knows? Maybe I’ll add a chatbot or build a small SaaS tool that helps people organize their own thoughts (something I clearly need!).

Save the Shiny Objects for Later: AI and SaaS aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be there when I’m ready to dive in. For now, I’ll keep a “Shiny Object List” where I can jot down things I want to explore later. This way, I’m not constantly tempted to abandon my main project, but I also don’t lose out on potentially valuable learning opportunities.

Balance and Self-Care : Lastly, I’m going to make sure that I’m not just working all the time. I’ve got family, friends, and hobbies that I love, and I don’t want to let work take over my life. I’ll set aside specific time for learning, for freelancing, and for building my blog, but I’ll also set aside time for myself.

Phew, I feel better already. Writing all this down has made me realize that, while I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, the solution is actually pretty simple. I just need to focus. No more chasing every shiny new thing that pops up. I’ll build this blog, dip my toes into freelancing, and see where that takes me.

And who knows? Maybe in a few months, I’ll have a successful blog, some freelance clients, and even a SaaS project in the works. One thing at a time, though. One thing at a time.