Game development is an incredible journey, but it can also be overwhelming—especially when you’re a solo indie dev. From self-doubt to burnout, the mental challenges are as real as the technical ones.

Over time, I’ve picked up a few habits and mindsets that have helped me stay sane while working on my game. I’m sharing them with you in hopes they can help you too.

Here are 5 Ways to Stay Sane as an Indie Developer.

1. Work On What Excites You, Not What’s “Easier”

There’s a popular piece of advice you’ve probably heard before: “Start small.” The idea is that new devs should make a small, simple game to avoid getting overwhelmed.

I get why people say that—it’s well-intentioned advice—but for me, it just didn’t work. I tried making smaller games, but I struggled to stay motivated. They didn’t excite me, and when my projects inevitably grew “too big,” I’d start doubting myself. I’d think, “This isn’t the small game I’m supposed to be making… I’m doing it wrong.” So, I’d stop working on them altogether.

Eventually, I said, “Screw it! I’m going to work on the game I actually want to make!” And that made all the difference.

If you’re like me, don’t force yourself to make something small just because that’s the “easier” option. Instead, work on something that excites you—something you actually want to create. Passion is a powerful motivator, and when you’re genuinely excited about your project, it’s a lot easier to push through the hard moments.

That said, know your limits. If you want to build something big, you need to make sure your scope fits within your current skillset. If you’re still learning 3D art, don’t design a game that needs tons of complex assets right away. Focus on your strengths, and gradually stretch your skills as you go. Small games are hard too, so don’t feel like you have to jump into something massive either.

The takeaway? Don’t focus on the size of your project—focus on your skills. Work on coding, 3D art, sound design, or whatever tools you need to make your vision a reality. As your skills grow, your game will grow too.

2. Don’t Isolate Yourself

Working solo means there’s no team around to bounce ideas off. If something goes wrong, it’s on you to figure it out. That can feel really overwhelming, and if you’re not careful, isolation can take a serious toll on your mental health.

You’re not alone, even if it feels that way. There are people out there who understand what you’re going through because they’re going through it too. Try to connect with other devs, whether it’s through online communities, forums, or even social media. Sharing your journey with others can make a world of difference.

But I also know that not everyone has a strong support system—trust me, I’ve been there. For a long time, I didn’t have anyone I could turn to. I felt like I was on my own, and that feeling made it 10x harder to keep going.

If that’s your situation, I want you to know this: you need to be your own safe person.

Here’s something that helped me: whenever I found myself being really harsh on myself, I’d stop and ask:
“Would someone who makes me feel safe treat me this way?”

If the answer was “no,” then I’d make an effort to stop treating myself that way too. It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. Asking yourself this question can help you be more compassionate toward yourself, and over time, it shifts the way you view your own progress and abilities.

Remember—out of all the people you meet, the one person who’s guaranteed to be with you forever is YOU. So be kind to yourself, support yourself, and treat yourself like you would a loved one. You deserve that.

3. Progress Over Perfection

I’ll be honest with you—this one is still a work in progress for me.

Paralysis by analysis is something I fall into way too often. I loooove researching the most efficient way to do something or finding the “perfect” tool for the task. I’ll watch tutorials, read articles, and test out a million different tools before I actually start the task.

Don’t get me wrong—learning is great. But I had to face the fact that all that “research” was really just perfectionism in disguise.

What I’ve learned is this: Perfectionism kills progress.

The most important thing you can do is iterate quickly. Get something functional, test it, and then improve it as you go. If you aim for “perfect” on the first try, you’re going to get stuck. But if you focus on making progress, each iteration gets you closer to your vision.

Done is better than perfect.

4. Leave Time To Rest

You NEED to rest.

I know it’s tempting to push through and keep working because you feel like you’re “not doing enough.” But trust me, rest isn’t slacking off. It’s part of the process. You’re way more creative when your mind is recharged.

Working non-stop doesn’t make you more productive. It just burns you out.

For me, I like to unwind by playing games, watching shows, or just spending time with my partner. It gives my brain a chance to breathe. Find something that helps you relax. Your game will be better for it.

5. Embrace Failure As Part Of The Journey

This one’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s probably the most important.

You can do everything right and still fail. And that’s okay.

Sometimes failure leads you to opportunities you never knew existed. Sometimes it teaches you something new about your project, your process, or even yourself. I know it feels awful in the moment, but failure isn’t the end of the story—it’s just a plot twist.

And here’s the other side of it: luck is a factor too. Let’s be honest—no one knows 100% if their game will be a success. Some of it is just timing, trends, and luck. Since you can’t control that, focus on what you can control: having fun with it.

If things don’t work out, at least you spent your time doing something you love. And that’s not so bad, is it?

Final Thoughts

So, to recap, here are 5 ways to stay sane as an indie developer:

1. Work on what excites you (not what’s “easier”).
2. Don’t isolate yourself—find community or be your own support.
3. Progress over perfection—iteration beats perfection every time.
4. Leave time to rest—burnout doesn’t help anyone.
5. Embrace failure—because it’s going to happen, and that’s okay.

I hope these tips help you stay sane while making your game. If you’ve got any tips of your own or want to share your experiences, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

If you want to know more about me, my journey, or my survival horror game, Silent Corruption, check out the next posts below.