> I have a hard time sleeping, I constantly feel the need to keep up or fall behind

I felt this way very recently about the one projects I am focusing on. I kept seeing others explore the same space already ahead of me. I thought I'll never make it here because why use my thing when you can already use those things?

There was this extreme sense of urgency, as if I needed to do nothing else in my life but finish this project and get it out there. One day it hit me, and then over the course of a few weeks it settled in, that I was thinking of this from a place of extrinsic motivation. Basically, I was not doing what I wanted, I was doing what I thought others would want from me.

The project now has only two goals.

1. Build the project I want to use for myself, but in a way that will benefit others who happen to want the same thing.

2. The outcome of the project is not the code/app, it's a "changed Me", having learned everything I needed to to build the project.

Eventually I want the project to have a hosted paid platform version. I am not making this platform because I want to make money (I do, but that's besides the point). I am making this platform because I want experience in doing the types of things that can make money.

The whole thing now has become internally oriented in a way that allows me to no longer feel time pressure or be outcome oriented.

I went from feeling burned out spending all my time on this (I shed all other hobbies and activities), to having a great time spending all my time on this. The same amount of time/effort now feels indefinitely sustainable.

Framing is really one of the most powerful methods of emotional regulation. Whatever you are doing, make it relaxed and fun!