Getting old, "broken" computers running Linux was the first thing when I was about 11 or 12 years old. Then:

1. needing a way to keep them running
2. wanting ways to make running them easier
3. wanting those ways to be easier/simpler

Often this involved programming. Eventually I found out that companies pay money for this kind of thing.

But now I'm finding it difficult to find work which aligns with those original values. Getting paid means delivering what people will pay for, not necessarily solving problems. What got me into programming is probably what will get me out of it (profesionally, anyway).