I’m somewhat similar. I don’t think it’s impossible* for me, but it’s easy to run into issues and lose motivation or simply lack viable ideas for learning projects. Currently stalled due to multiple system-related issues**, and chilling effect of AI (copilot).

I have a YLoD PS3 I’ve fixed a few times before many years ago, though it likely was a capacitor issue that was only fixed accidentally. Don’t feel like spending money on caps/cooling stuff etc, not set up for soldering. I have another PS3 that currently works, not bothering to set up for firmware stuff for that either (slow internet, no easy way to monitor progress).

* I completed a sweeper clone months ago (in the one somewhat-niche language that I actually like) and that actually went great but I haven’t been able to share it. So haven’t done anything since then

** I probably need to use a different distro but not convinced by any, and probably need a better GPU to sidestep legacy driver issue (which could help w/updating my current setup) but everything seems like a side-grade or overpriced or both