Being a solo software developer is not an easy task. It takes a lot of willpower, strength, and perseverance to push boundaries and overcome the odds.

In this blog post, I will elaborate on the hardships of being a solo software developer.

## 1. Lack of funds and resources

Developing any type of software requires a significant amount of money. 

Expenses such as food and drinks while you work, purchasing a domain name for your website, server costs, marketing ads for your app, and various other expenses can put a substantial dent in your bank account.

All the costs associated with software development can make you consider giving up on being a solo developer.

## 2. It takes a lot of time and effort

If you want to develop a game alone, don't be surprised if it takes you years to complete.

A lot of high-quality games today, like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, etc., were developed by solo developers, and it took them years of development.

The amount of time and effort they poured into developing these games is monumental.

## 3. Marketing is a pain in the a**

Marketing is equally important as developing software. How would users know about your software if you weren't marketing it effectively?

Being an introvert, personally, posting about your software on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., is very difficult for me. I worry about the criticism or the lack of response I might receive, so marketing is not something I feel comfortable with.

Therefore, I often choose to market on Reddit since I can post anonymously. However, that doesn't guarantee success either.

## 4. Family and Peer Pressure

Freelancing in this world doesn't seem to be an accepted norm. Your family and some of your peers often pressure you to find a stable job and work in the corporate world as a software developer.

This pressure that comes from others makes you doubt if the solo developer path is the right choice to take. It gives you the idea to just follow the crowd, or not?

## 5. Imbalance between career and life

When you are in the zone of developing something, you are so focused that you forget to live life and take a break. This will ultimately result in an imbalance between your personal life and your career as a developer.

Many disadvantages often arise because of this scenario, but the point is that you often forget to take some rest because of the monumental task of being a solo developer.

This often leads to anxiety or, in the worst-case scenario, burnout, which you should definitely avoid.

## Conclusion

There is a lot of risk that comes with being a solo software developer. Many developers don't pursue this path and choose to find a stable job at a company elsewhere.

But remember this: every path you take will always have challenges ahead. It is ultimately your choice and decision as to which path you will pursue. So think carefully before you delve into a solo developer's path, and I wish you the best of luck. Cheers!