> I want to be able to enjoy code and feel like what I'm doing is
> helping make an impact in peoples' lives more than just checking the
> box on a spec doc and helping an organization make more money. Is
> there a good way to find meaning and fulfillment as a developer
> without getting lost in monotonous requirements?

As quite some people said, your paid work will provide you work. It will not provide you happiness nor intellectual excitement. 

For intellectual excitement or/and happiness, only you can provide this to you. 

As other people have noticed/said, maybe it is time to hop into something else.

My point of view would be: Hold on until you have something more tangible and jump wagon when you feel this is the time eg. **you feel ready** to jump into another band wagon. 

Before that jump, the hard work is to figure out what can you do to re- enjoy coding. 

If I were you, I would start an initiative out of the blue, during the time you are not at work. A fablab initiative like [this one for example][1] can be an idea or a coding initiative like [this one][2] (I'm not involved on the latter but I saw them grow, from a bunch of guys who were dissatified at their work and wanted to try their hands on something new).

Whatever you want to do, start and see by yourself where it will take you. Venturing out of your comfort zone but staying close to your first "field of interest" , will often (from people I know plus me) help you revive your first love, in the long run.

 


  [1]: http://lepetitfablabdeparis.fr/
  [2]: https://www.humancoders.com/