In my experience, I think it’s primarily a mental health issue. My passion for computers has always been rooted in a fundamental curiosity, rather than any deep reason or meaning. Simply writing code and watching software run used to excite me—it was fun, pure and simple.

There was a time, though, when it all felt utterly meaningless and made me depressed. I found myself thinking things like, “Even if I build this, it won’t make any money,” or “This job may pay, but it doesn’t solve any real, fundamental problems.” Intellectually, I knew I used to do it just because I enjoyed it, yet I couldn’t stop those thoughts. However, as my depression went into remission, I started to feel that simple joy again (though I’m not fully recovered yet).

I suspect you’re going through something similar. While it’s important to think, I believe that rather than overthinking, focusing on your mental health first is the better approach—though of course, I understand how hard that can be.