Not sure whether my experience is common…. But maybe if someone feels like programming is a chore most of the time it’s a strong signal that they need to change the job and/or profession?
I still enjoy it occasionally on my own terms, but writing the kind of code that people would pay me to write is mostly dreadful at this point. I’ve seen it all before and the problems aren’t interesting enough to keep me motivated.
Which is why I’m shifting into project management.
I still remember the excitement I felt in the beginning though, where every piece of code was a new adventure.
My point is, things change with time and experience.