The pay cut isn't that much of a problem, compared to many other jobs being a software engineer is lucrative in any case. I've found that you can train yoursel

The pay cut isn't that much of a problem, compared to many other jobs being a software engineer is lucrative in any case. I've found that you can train yourself to get 'into that flow state' even with things that sometimes get a little bit less interesting. It does take a lot of willpower and self-convincing that it's worth it.