This is a submission for the 2025 Hacktoberfest Writing Challenge: Open Source Reflections.
🌍 Beginning the Journey: My First Step into Open Source
This October marked my very first Hacktoberfest, and it was more than just a coding event —
it was a door into a world where collaboration, communication, and curiosity define real development.
As a first-time contributor, I started with hesitation.
Would my code be good enough? Would maintainers even respond?
But once I submitted my first pull request, I realized — it’s not about perfection; it’s about participation.
That single step changed my mindset completely.
🧩 Why I Chose to Participate
I’ve always admired open source from a distance — libraries, tools, and frameworks that power the world.
Hacktoberfest gave me the perfect excuse to finally give back.
I didn’t aim for a specific repository or fancy project.
Instead, I focused on understanding how real-world collaboration works — reading issues, understanding structure, and contributing wherever I could add value.
Each contribution, no matter how small, made me feel like I was part of something global.
⚙️ What I Worked On
Throughout the month, I explored multiple projects spanning frontend fixes, DevOps scripts, and documentation improvements.
Some were tiny PRs that corrected typos or added comments. Others involved understanding how CI/CD pipelines and Docker configurations were managed in open repositories.
These tasks taught me that every contribution matters — whether it’s code, docs, or testing feedback.
Every commit is a building block that strengthens the open-source community.
🔍 Lessons Learned Along the Way
1. Collaboration Over Competition
Hacktoberfest reminded me that open source isn’t a race.
It’s a collective effort where beginners and experts work side-by-side to make something better.
2. Documentation Is the Hidden Hero
I realized that well-written documentation can save hours for new contributors.
In fact, my best contributions came from improving README files and explaining workflows.
3. Mistakes Are Stepping Stones
I made my fair share of errors — broken commits, unclear comments, and even rejected PRs.
But each mistake was followed by patient feedback from maintainers who helped me improve.
🧠 How My Perspective Changed
Before Hacktoberfest:
“I need to master everything before contributing.”
After Hacktoberfest:
“Learning happens when you contribute.”
That’s the biggest transformation — understanding that open source is a classroom where everyone teaches and learns.
It’s not about who knows more; it’s about who’s willing to share and grow together.
💬 Advice for Future Participants
If you’re thinking about joining Hacktoberfest next year, here’s what I’d tell you:
- Start small. Fix typos, update docs, or improve formatting — it counts!
- Ask questions. Maintainers appreciate curiosity more than silence.
- Don’t chase stars; chase learning.
- Be kind. A thank-you comment or review can make someone’s day.
- Celebrate progress, not just pull requests.
🌈 Looking Ahead
Hacktoberfest 2025 was just the start for me.
Now, open source feels less like a community I admire — and more like one I belong to.
I’ll keep contributing beyond October, exploring DevOps, cloud projects, and documentation initiatives.
Because the real reward isn’t a T-shirt or badge — it’s the growth that comes from giving back.
👨💻 Author
Tanvir Mulla
DevOps Enthusiast | AWS Learner | Open Source Contributor
💼 GitHub: @tanvirmulla11
💬 DEV: @tanvirmulla
⭐ Hacktoberfest taught me one timeless truth — open source doesn’t just build software; it builds people.
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