Everyone says learning to code is fun.
They talk about “building cool projects,” “landing your first dev job,” and “writing elegant code.”
But her...
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Gonna leave my two cents here... XD
I have been "learning to code" for about 2 years now. I am in a continuous state of being lost and confused. But if I look back from when I knew nothing to now, well that is the only comparison I have.
It's easy to get frustrated thinking about the skills you haven't acquired yet. It's easy to tell yourself you have failed because you're not some high-falootin' database admin.
But try to explain the concept of MVC to someone that's never coded before. Or explain css keyframes to grandma. Or tell your friends about the virtual server you built in the cloud that hosts all your apps.
You're not a failing. You are barely beginning. 🦚 Right when you want to cry and give up is exactly the time to not do that. (That's not to say don't take an occasional break from the keyboard lol)
Thanks for sharing and being a real human. I so much hate linked in and TikTok and all of that "im so perfect" nonsense, and I am repulsed by Facebook. Everyone is scared to show imperfection. I say it builds trust. "I know you a real one because I watched the struggle."
Wow, this is such a powerful comment. 😍 I felt every word of it. That “continuous state of being lost” perfectly describes what real learning feels like, uncomfortable but necessary.
And you’re absolutely right, showing imperfection builds trust and connection. Thanks for sharing your honest perspective. You’re definitely one of the real ones.💙
Keep going, you’ve already come so far. 💪🏻
You as well!!!! 🦄
Nice. Very nice.
Thanks for this post, my two cents
After 30+ years of coding
Thank you so much for sharing this 😍 Hearing it from someone with 30+ years of experience is incredibly grounding. It’s a powerful reminder that self-doubt isn’t a beginner problem; it’s a developer problem.
And I love what you said: "prove first, improve later". That’s exactly how real coding works. Start messy, get clarity, and then shape it into something better.
Your perspective really adds depth to the conversation. Grateful you took the time to share it 💙
I'm at 50+ years in and I agree totally.
Wow 😍 hearing that from someone with 50+ years of experience truly means a lot. Thank you 🙏🏻
It’s amazing how this journey keeps teaching us, no matter how long we’ve been on it.
Your perspective adds so much weight to the conversation. 🔥
Yeah, at first, I'm focused on making things do what they need to, and people comment on my code during live streams. I don't mind, it's my method and it primarily works for me.
alot of self-doubt during my learning journey but what no one told me is that, after I landed my first job, another wave of horror would come and would wash away those who aren't resilient enough.
I remember when I landed my first job as a junior and oh boy, everything was a mess.
Everything that I self-taught myself was rarely or just not used at all.
My colleagues kept pulling out tricks and stunts that surprised me every time.
I swear I thought I knew everything but the real world isn't like that, you learn to do things differently to what you were taught, I kept doing things wrong, I was insulted, beat up verbally and I was starting to self-doubt myself for the second time - questioning if this is the right decision.
That was of course, before I knew AI was a thing, the time when I thought an AI writing a single line of code that actually compiled is comical.
Thank you so much for sharing this, seriously. What you described is something almost no one talks about openly, yet so many developers go through it. That “second wave” of doubt after landing the first job hits harder than people expect. You go in thinking you’re prepared… then suddenly the real world feels like a completely different universe.
And you’re right, the things we self-teach often don’t map 1:1 to production code, team workflows, or the tricks experienced devs pull out of nowhere. It’s overwhelming, and it’s painful when it shakes your confidence like that.
But the fact that you pushed through insults, confusion, and the pressure of a professional environment says a lot about your resilience. Most people don’t make it past that stage; you did.
And yeah, the world before AI feels like another lifetime 😂
Now it’s less about knowing everything and more about knowing how to learn, adapt, and leverage tools instead of suffering alone.
Truly appreciate you opening up about this. It’s the kind of honesty that helps others feel less alone in their own journey. 💙
You’re telling the comforting version of the truth, but you’re still sugarcoating it. Learning to code isn’t just messy or frustrating. It’s a long grind where you routinely feel stupid, hit walls you can’t brute force and question whether you’re wired for this at all. The only people who get through it are the ones who accept that discomfort as the job, not the obstacle. Tutorials, motivation, feel good quotes none of that substitutes for sitting with problems longer than is comfortable and building things that initially suck. If people internalize that early, the whole journey gets a lot more realistic and a lot less dramatic.
You make a really important point, and I agree. The discomfort is the job. No motivation quote or tutorial can replace the hours of sitting with a problem that makes you feel clueless. That’s honestly the part nobody prepares you for.
My intention wasn’t to sugarcoat it but to remind people they’re not broken for feeling that way. The grind, the doubt, the “why am I not getting this?” moments, they’re all part of the path.
Thanks for adding this perspective. It’s a tough truth, but it’s a needed one.
Writing this article already shows your persistence and dedication, just like learning to code, and the result is clear: you have succeeded and gained recognition.
Thank you so much, that really means a lot. 😍 Writing this piece actually reminded me of how messy the process still is, even after years of coding. The persistence part never really ends, we just learn to get more comfortable with the chaos.
👏👏👏👏👏
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This article is very real and motivating. It shows that struggles and mistakes are part of learning and continuing is more important than being perfect.
I’m really glad that came through! Perfection is such a trap when learning to code, it took me a while to realize that progress > perfection every single time. The messy moments are usually where the real growth happens.
Hard truths nobody told me:
So true. These are the things nobody prepares you for early on.
The more time I spend in the field, the more I realize how much of the job is about people, clarity, and navigating existing systems.
Coding is still the fun part, but communication, alignment, and the willingness to improve what’s already there… that’s what really moves careers forward.
Thanks for sharing these reminders. 🙌🏻
Great article!
I’d go as far as saying that the same applies for pretty much anything: replace coding with “building your own startup” and you’ll give me a great remedy for my own struggle.
Learning coding requires a lot of courage: to dig through the bits that are confusing, to look at someone else’s code, to pick up a new scary tool, to apply for jobs or build something yourself.
But if you do find that courage, you’ll discover that software is built by people who’s learning as they go, rebuilding it over and over as they discover flows with the previous implementation and starting from scratch more often than they’d be comfortable to admit.
That’s a great perspective 😍 and you’re absolutely right. This mindset applies way beyond coding. Whether it’s building a startup, switching careers, or learning any difficult skill, the uncertainty and the courage required are almost identical.
I love how you described the courage part: digging through confusion, facing other people’s code, trying intimidating tools, and putting yourself out there. Those small acts of bravery are what actually move you forward.
And the truth you mentioned about software being built by people who are constantly learning, rewriting, fixing old mistakes, and starting over… that’s the part beginners rarely see. It’s comforting to know that even experienced developers are figuring things out as they go.
Thank you for sharing this 💙
Very nice article!
You're welcome 💙 So glad you liked it 😍
Everything in this article is 100% true. - 11 years in to seriously learning coding for career change, 9 years in to working full time. I would single out the bit "Don't wait for the big idea - just build anything." And keep building things.
Also I would add: It's not humanly possible to learn every aspect of programming, every language, every framework, every role. Fool around with various things early on and at some point pick a core area you're going to become strong in. You can add to that later as things evolve, but you need to be really good at something and that means focus. As you level up in your chosen area of interest you will find out there are certain skills you need to add to be viable in that role, that you may or may not really be in love with. Get going on those sooner rather than later. It can be the deal breaker / maker for a job or for really grasping how it actually works.
Programming is a fractal of what OP is talking about - it just goes on and on, no matter how far along you are. We have all been scared by that fact. Maybe even 15 minutes ago. Just keep going.
And btw, real production code is often super "messy" or whatever scare word they are teaching you. I still remember the first time I saw [huge legendary company]'s code and they were blatantly violating one of the first things you're taught not to do. Were they right or wrong? Wrong question. It's all part of the universe.
Good luck, but mostly just. Keep. Going.
This is such a powerful addition. Thank you for taking the time to share so much real experience. What you said about not being able to learn everything is such an important truth that beginners rarely hear. At some point, you do need to choose a lane and grow deep roots in it, even if you explore widely at first.
And I love the reminder that real production code is often messy. So many juniors think they’re doing something “wrong” because their code isn’t perfect, only to discover later that even top companies break the “rules” all the time.
Your perspective really captures the long-term reality of this journey, the fact that it keeps going, no matter how experienced you are. Thank you again for sharing this 🙏🏻
Thanks! 🙌 ⚡️
This explains the coding journey perfectly.
The struggle, the mistakes, the slow progress, all of it is real.👌🏽
Most posts show only wins, but you shared the real story.
Thank you! That was exactly my goal, to talk about the side of coding we don’t see on highlight reels. Everyone shows the “after,” but the “during” is where all the learning actually happens. I’m happy this resonated with you. 💪🏽
D3 - Dedication, devotion and determination leads one towards success.
Absolutely, that’s such a great way to sum it up! Dedication, devotion, and determination are truly the foundation of every coder’s journey. 🔥
The best for everyone, there're people who think they are junior or trainee and they can be Semi senior or even better, keep coding, keep reading, invest in books, connect with others and if you don't like to talk that much with people connect on chats with like-minded coders and people. Believe on you, your hard work will worth. And remember not always is working for somebody else, you can run your own business, create an MVP, I suggest to read the book Lean Startup Methodology by Eric Ries, if you have that mindset we can connect here as well.
The best for everyone!
Thank you so much for sharing this; there’s a lot of truth and encouragement in what you wrote. Many people underestimate themselves or stay stuck in a “junior” mindset even when their skills are already far beyond that. Sometimes all it takes is consistency, curiosity, and the courage to keep building.
I love your reminder about connecting with others and investing in learning, whether through books, chats, or small projects. And you’re completely right, coding isn’t only about working for someone else. You can build your own ideas, experiment with MVPs, or even create a business around something you care about.
I appreciate the book recommendation too. The "Lean Startup is a great place to start for anyone wanting to take that step.
Thanks again for the positivity and for sharing your perspective. Wishing you the best on your journey as well! 💙
The best for you too man!
👏👏 Nice one Hadil! It take serious perseverance and discipline to learn continuously without getting distracted.
So true 👌🏻 perseverance and discipline are really the core of it. It’s easy to get distracted or discouraged, but showing up consistently (even on the tough days) is what makes the difference.
Thanks a lot for the support! 💙
HiHadil nice one
Really solid and impressive post, Hadil! You captured the real side of learning to code and the frustration, the slow progress, and the small wins that finally add up.
It’s encouraging to hear the truth behind the journey instead of the usual polished success stories. Thanks for sharing this reminder to keep going, even on the tough days.
Thank you so much, that genuinely means a lot 🙏🏻
I wanted to show the side of coding that people don’t usually talk about, the slow days, the quiet progress, and the frustration that eventually turns into growth.
I’m really glad it resonated with you. We’re all figuring it out one step at a time, and reminders like this help keep us moving forward
It perfectly describes how many of us first learned programming, but I’m not sure how much of it applies to the newer generation of programmers growing up with AI tools. Many rely so heavily on ChatGPT that they struggle to learn the fundamentals or even debug the code it generates. I don’t think new programmers learn the way we used to.
Still, it’s a great article—definitely brings back memories of when I first started programming about seven years ago.
Thank you so much 😍 and you make a really important point. The learning experience today is definitely different from what it was even a few years ago. AI gives beginners shortcuts we never had… but those shortcuts sometimes come at the cost of understanding the “why” behind the code.
I’ve seen the same thing: new learners leaning so heavily on tools like ChatGPT that debugging, reading errors, or grasping fundamentals becomes harder. And in the end, those are the exact skills that actually make someone a developer.
At the same time, I think every generation has its own learning curve. We struggled more with figuring things out alone; they struggle with learning beyond the AI. Just different challenges, not necessarily easier.
But I’m really glad the article brought back some memories for you, that early journey sticks with all of us. Thank you for sharing your perspective 💙
Motivation is at its highest when there are rewards. So if you're a beginner, try to find things to code that will give you a reward. I'm not talking about money, but the pleasure boost that comes when you create something useful. For yourself, or even better for someone else.
If you're coding at the command line, write a small command, such as a simplified version of a standard utility command, or maybe one that combines a couple. For example, write one that reads a file or calls a URL (the difference is the name of the latter starts with "http") and measures the length of what comes back or counts how many words or lines it contains. There's enough in there to challenge.a beginner, but you end up with a building block that could be useful in the future.
This is such great advice 😍 Thank you for sharing it. You’re absolutely right: nothing boosts motivation like building something that actually helps you or someone else, even if it’s tiny.
Small, useful projects are where confidence grows. And I love your examples; they’re simple, but they teach real skills and give you that little spark of “I made this!”
Really appreciate you taking the time to explain this so thoughtfully 🙏🏻
This is my second year in the industry, plus I changed my stack looking for more job chances, it worked. Reading this is like reading exactly as I feel right now. I think we all go into this phase and it's a relief to know I'm not alone, I'm just in the process. Insist and persist!
I really appreciate you sharing this, and honestly, I relate to it so much. Changing stacks, adapting, feeling like you’re “starting over” again… It’s exhausting but also incredibly brave.
And you’re right: this phase feels isolating, but so many of us are going through the exact same thing without saying it out loud. You’re not behind, you’re evolving.
Insist and persist is the perfect mindset. You’re doing the right things, and your growth is already showing. Keep going 🔥 you’re exactly where you should be 💙
Super good read, thank you!
You're welcome! So glad you liked it 😍
There is bias to effort. If you use this one thing, you'll be able to solve all the problems in the world. Most things worth doing are hard. I like the fact you are acknowledging this.
I love the way you phrased that there really is a bias to effort. We tend to romanticize shortcuts, but almost everything meaningful comes with difficulty baked in.
And you’re right: there’s no single “magic tool” that solves everything. It’s the willingness to put in the work, to stay with the hard parts, that actually makes the difference.
Thank you for appreciating the honesty in the post. It means a lot 🙏🏻
This was a very real and honest read. Thank you for sharing this.
You're welcome 💙 So glad you liked it 😍
Great breakdown 😍
Thank you so much 😍
Welcome
Felt good reading this and helped me a lot to understand whats wrong and whats right so key is not to give up and your tips are really gonna help this post helped a lot!!😁
I’m really glad to hear that. 😍 Thank you! 😄💙
It’s completely normal to question what you’re doing right or wrong when you’re learning, but the most important thing is exactly what you said: don’t give up.
If the post helped bring you some clarity or motivation, then I’m truly happy. Keep going, you’re learning more than you realize, one step at a time
I agreed it. It is a long learning process. But no one wants to see it.
You’re absolutely right, it is a long, sometimes messy process, and most people only notice the final result, not the months (or years) behind it. The late nights, the confusion, the tiny wins… all of that happens in silence.
But that hidden part is where the real growth happens. And the fact that you’re aware of it means you’re already on the right path. Keep going, the journey is long, but you’re not alone in it 💙
That's great advice. I appreciate how you help other junior developers find their path dear Hadil
Thank you so much 😍 that really means a lot to me 💙
If my posts can make just one person feel a little less lost or a little more encouraged, then it’s already worth it. We all start somewhere, and I’m grateful to share anything that helps others along the way.
thanks for sharing
You're welcome 💙
You're right🫡. Coding is like life and everything else in it. If you don't change your path, there will be no end to mistakes or disappointments😅. But that makes it better
Absolutely 😁 coding really does mirror life in that way. The mistakes and setbacks aren’t just obstacles, they’re what shape you and make the wins meaningful.
Thank you for sharing that, it’s a great reminder to embrace the imperfect parts of the journey too 💙
This is so true 👏
Yeah 😁
This is my first day on this site and you are my first read. Thanks; I needed This. I'm new to coding, so I'm stepping into the abyss but I'm thrilled and ready. Respect!!
Welcome 😍 and thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad this was the first thing you came across. Starting out can feel like stepping into the unknown, but that excitement you mentioned is exactly what will carry you forward.
If you stay curious, keep experimenting, and give yourself permission to learn at your own pace, you’re already on the right path. Wishing you the best on your journey 💙
Wow! I didn't want to waste time reading this at first but now I'm glad I did
Haha I totally get that, we all scroll past long posts sometimes 😄
But I’m really glad you ended up giving it a chance. Means a lot that it was worth your time. Thanks for reading and for dropping this comment 😍💙
Cool and uplifting article! So, what's your take on "AI" (specifically AI "dev" tooling) - what effect do you think it has on the various stages/struggles/aspects that you're mentioning?
Great question and thank you for the kind words! 💙
I think AI dev tools are changing the journey, but not replacing it. They remove some of the “stuck for 6 hours on a tiny bug” pain, but they don’t eliminate the real learning curve.
Beginners still go through confusion, still need to understand fundamentals, still hit the “why isn’t this working?” phase... and AI just gives them a flashlight in the dark instead of leaving them with only trial and error.
For more experienced devs, AI feels like a superpower: it speeds up boilerplate, helps explore unfamiliar areas, and makes refactoring or debugging less lonely.
But it doesn’t remove the need for judgment, intuition, or experience... those matter more now.
So I’d say AI doesn’t erase the struggle; it just shifts it.
Less time fighting syntax, more time understanding systems, designing solutions, and thinking like a developer.
A beautiful writeup. I learn a lot and is such an encouragement.
I just have to keep going, keep coding.❤️
Thank you so much. I’m really glad it encouraged you ❤️
That mindset, "keep going, keep coding", is exactly what matters most. Every small step, every bug fixed, every project you finish adds up more than you think.
Keep showing up, you’re doing great. 💪🏻
Thank you so much for sharing
You're welcome 😍
I needs heart__