The Things No One Tells You about Personal Side projects

Personal side projects have been a part of my life ever since I got my first developer job. Most of them have been about discovery; an opportunity to fiddle with the latest new-shiny-thing on the developer horizon.

Other projects have been more serious, with a long-term commitment and a vague goal of financial independence. And one of them actually made it all the way to being a real product. Yes, with actual paying customers. Good times.

The least common denominator? Passion. A passion for the technologies…