I didn’t start coding to get a job.
I started because I needed something to keep me from falling apart.
Life after the Army hit me hard.
No structure. No squad. No mission.
Just too much silence—and way too many thoughts.
PTSD doesn’t always show up as flashbacks.
Sometimes it looks like restlessness, avoidance, anxiety.
Sometimes it looks like nothing at all—until it all hits you.
And weirdly enough, code helped me cope.
Why Programming Helped Me Heal
🧩 1. Code Gave Me Structure
My brain craved order. Routines. Predictability.
Code is rules, logic, steps. Just like field drills.
Every time I sat down to write a function, I felt calm return.
🔄 2. It Gave Me Control
In the Army, you train for chaos.
But post-service life? It can feel like you’re just reacting.
Coding gave me control. If something broke, I could fix it.
If I didn’t know something, I could learn it.
That agency was healing.
🧠 3. It Became Meditation
There’s something about getting into the flow—losing yourself in a bug or a small script.
It kept me grounded. Gave my brain something to focus on other than spirals.
Coding became my therapy. Quiet, private, effective.
🐕 4. My Dog + Code = Sanity
I’d work on a small project, then take my Great Dane for a walk.
Code gave me focus. He gave me presence.
Together? They gave me peace.
Tips for Veterans Using Code for Healing
- Start small (automate one thing)
- Pick a schedule and stick to it
- Don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress
- Use coding as a recovery tool, not just a job path
- Pair it with movement, nature, and support
Final Thoughts
Tech isn’t just a career. For many of us, it’s a lifeline.
If you’re a veteran struggling to stay grounded, give coding a shot.
Not for the paycheck—but for the peace it might bring.
Stick with me at jameshenderson.online—where healing happens through logic, structure, and purpose.