When you realize the project you've been working on for months has already been made

I'm sorry for you bro...

Still doesn't demolish the value of making it. Pet projects are necessary for learning (and can be put in your job resume ;) )

Happened to me once. Wanted to punch the laptop but it was too expensive so had to settle for bubble wrap.

Happened to me too, but I learned so much that I'm not sad.

So? Try to find *anything* that hasn't been made yet

Recreating stuff is what we're doing all the time

The worst is when the project already exists, and it serves the exact function you were thinking of but misses crucial aspects of your vision. It's like not worth making a really similar, slightly different project but you'll never find yourself satisfied using the existing project.