Just started the Odin project today (20/3/2025), and I am so excited to begin this overwhelming but fascinating journey myself! I am going to take the Foundations course and then move to the Full Stack JS course.
Thank you for making this awesome post, which made me motivated, and now I am ready to persevere and grind every single day !!
I'm Hanif Shah, honoured in English literature and linguistics but now try to switch my career at the age of 32. I'm looking forward to a new exciting journey with computer science.
I'm just embarking on this long and arduous journey now. Which stage are you in? Are you still in the honeymoon period, or have you reached the cliff of confusion? I know we have a long desert of despair to cross before we reach the upswing of awesome. You know what my greatest fear is? My age. At 34, I'm constantly haunted by an inner voice asking if starting this journey is a wise move. 👍
This is not beginner friendly but it is something for which your future self will thank you for. It will make you the real developer not the one who always depended on others
"You're learning faster and more intelligently than ever before and, eventually, you will have absorbed enough best practices that your swiss cheese knowledge coalesces into a production-grade skill set."
Also, I found a little typo:
If you're able to identify a path and stick with it, you'll eventually push forward to the next phase instead of spending months or years chasing mirages across the shifting sands of the this desert.
Honestly this is just the advice I needed. I felt as I was stuck on the Desert of Despair for the longest time and because of it I took a step back from coding and my skills regress. Glad to find this article and the Odin project on my path to becoming a web developer
I started The Odin Project today, and it really resonated with me. I’ve always had the mindset of “I can learn this in just a month,” but that approach hasn’t worked out well. I keep questioning whether the resources I’m following are the right ones and constantly second-guessing my choices: “What if I choose this one? What if that one is better?” All the self-doubt has kept me from starting a project on my own. I’ve been stuck in this cycle for too long. Thanks to this article, I’m now aware that this is just a phase and that I need to keep moving forward. I believe The Odin Project will be a solid starting point for me.
A study group sounds like a fine idea! I just started yesterday, coming from a surface level web design/graphic design background. I look forward to deepening my skills with like-minded learners!
I am 'restarting' The Odin Project today - Wed 15 Apr 2026. I have been down this road a couple of times before, but did not complete it. Looking back, I can see that the distractions came from the urge/curiosity - for lack of better words - in trying some other stuff that could 'make me money faster' - even though I always knew I wanted to end up as a software developer. I did make some money in digital marketing, learn testing automation, and project management, which are all good, but not fulfilling for the long-term goals I'm craving for. So now, I am back for a full commitment. I would like to work with a partner who is also starting or has probably gone in a bit, so we can do pair programming and pull ourselves up when the 'desert of despair' eventually comes. You can send me an email at ubongudotai@gmail.com or contact me on X @andreudotai. See you at 'Job ready'!.
I'm relatively new to web development.
My experience playing CTFs on TryHackMe has given me some good fundamental knowledge.
The Odin Project seems like the next logical step in my journey.
I made it through a reputable boot camp three months ago, but I can see now I was firmly stuck gazing in fear over the Cliff of Confusion. I'm excited to fill in the Swiss cheese holes in my knowledge by working through The Odin Project.
I started learning programming between 2013 and 2016 during high school. However, the whole course was just Java (the one with the coffee), and only in the 5th semester did I start to see web development and fall in love with it. I did a graduation project using HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and a database, hosted via Xampp. But I'm from a humanities background and ended up forgetting everything. I studied History, now I work as an HR assistant and I always find myself wanting to study front-end development. However, many courses teach programming logic, and I understand it, but I can't visualize it. I'm very much a visual learner and this has prevented me from moving forward. I learn more easily if I see a for loop being applied directly to a website, instead of being asked to do a console.log. I started The Odin Project today and I hope to learn a lot.
Student who builds things near Chennai 🐍 Python, FastAPI & AI tools. Teaching bots to catch internship scammers. Open to internships (will debug for coffee).
This is such an eye opener for a kid like me who wanted to jump right into coding with all the cool looking courses that internet offered to make a life changing moment. This is a hard hit on my expectations while it also reminds me that path ahead is not easy as it may sound and I need the willpower and focus to push through. I just started the odin project today and I would like to learn it along with someone like me who is uncertain of this path and grow together. I have always believed that teaching others what you know and learning from them of what you don't is the best way of learning. Well please do contact me in discord - noah_osmont._.
or by mail to charancodes@proton.me
Hi there, I've just started the Odin Project, today is the (10/08/2025). I've done a few tutorials over the years, but I haven't built anything. I was in template and tutorial hell for a while so this article was definitely enjoyable because I don't feel as alone in my journey towards becoming a full stack developer.
I have no words to describe the familiarity, clarity and realism in this post, I will make sure to share it with anyone beginner in programming, so he takes the right path from the beginning of his journey.
I have been jumping between the mountains of resources out there, the frustration and despair kept growing inside me, but this post cleared my vision and thoughts without a doubt, drawing a clear a path in my head to what I should do.
I started the Oden Project on 25 June 2025, I will stick with only it, I don't have a vision into future, so I don't know what I will encounter in my journey, but I will make sure to keep my passion high and build as much as I can, I will keep moving forward until my name shine in the industry of Web Dev, wish good luck my friends as I wish all of you the same.
Having a solid understanding in HTML/CSS I'm now trying to embark on learning JS - Just started the Odin Project and its ACE! We've got this folks, it'll be one hell of a journey, but one well worth the time. 🤪
Thank you so much! It made me realize that my feelings lately are valid. It motivates me to be not scared of trying new things. Btw, I'm just started Odin project today. I really hope that I can finish this until the end of the lesson. :)
Just started the Odin Project. This will be a great test of my determination, patience and resilience. Would like to network with anyone who is a beginner like myself to help. Our goal would be to support each other and share ideas. I'm also willing to be a student of any possible mentors in the field of a Full Stack Dev.
I'm Hanif Shah, honoured in English literature and linguistics but now try to switch my career at the age of 32. I'm looking forward to a new exciting journey with computer science.
This is a great article that clearly describes the arduous journey of web development without exaggeration. On one hand, it discourages the naysayers and dispels the fears and intimidation associated with code. On the other hand, it also warns those who are overly hopeful or irrationally exuberant.
This article clearly shows all kinds of troubles we will face this one is really is a good one for starters, I just started this "THE ODIN PROJECT" today and I will re-comment after completion.
All the best to you all.
Just started my journey today, after making a tough decision to leave my marketing career behind, i'm 20 so i know i still have plenty of time to learn, fail, iterate and improve... reading this article also prepares my mind for what's to come, pretty sure i'd be back here occasionally when things get hard.
Such an eye opener. Honestly, I spent way more time reading, introspecting and grasping the teachings than I normally would, but damn is it worth it! I honestly wish someone would have recommended me this sooner.
As someone wandering the Desert of Despair for quite some time; it honestly felt as if the Mr. Erik knew me inside out. All my worries, problems, shortcomings and acute advice to overcome them, all condensed into one.
I would again request everyone to not just read it/skim it but rather absorb it (if that makes any sense) and *reread it again and again. *
I just accepted a job to create a website for a local tattoo studio + I feel like I know what I'm doing but I'm suspicious of how easy it seems like this project is going to be lol. I've got experience in a few of the major languages I need to use because of my software engineering degree, but I was SO bad at that course because I thought it was intensely boring. Hopefully the Odin Project means I can find a passion for this and maybe go into freelance webdev:)
Hey all, I recently started the Odin project and have a fair idea of HTML, CSS, and JS, but am going through the foundations course right now, planning to take the full stack web developer path. I also have some experience in Java and cloud fundamentals in Azure. Looking for dedicated learners to pair up with so we can support each other in the learning process!
I come from a civil engineering background. Recently, I’ve been trying to automate my tasks through coding. In the last 2 months, I finished my “hand-holding” phase and have now set out a clear path forward with my tech stack:
HTML & CSS
JavaScript
React
Python (FastAPI)
PostgreSQL
Starting today (17/06/25), I decided to invest my time into The Odin Project to complete my first three goals: mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and later I’ll move to FreeCodeCamp for Python.
My end goal is to build real-world solutions that solve problems I face in my field.
I’m always open to suggestions. If there’s a tool, concept, or path you think I should explore, feel free to share!
Just starting the Odin Project today, 06/09/2026, and I believe that I can make it to the end and bring my ideas to life. My name is Oluwafunmilayo from Nigeria, Thanks to you all and the founder of this great Project.
Just started the Odin project today (17/09/2025), and I am so excited to begin this overwhelming but excellent journey! I actually think I am gonna do the Foundations course and then move to the Full Stack JS course, but still thinking about Ruby on Rails.
Thank you for the guideness sir, i really love to learn by self taught and this odin project also doing that way with documentation. i think today my motivation was so high because of its my phase 0 ,but gradually i build learning as system not just a goal , i will do it consistently and im also so eager to take my first step on this and good to see you all foks, stay with touch i will update it...
As a person who started 4 yrs ago, and near to "job" ready, gotta confess that it wasn't easy... but it was EXTREMELY FUN & REWARDING! I'd say that you won't regret this thing if u do it properly...
I was thinking of coaching some beginners...
Anybody interested?
I’m 31, and I just started learning this TOP curriculum in October 2025. In the HTML and CSS course, I thought it was too easy, but when I entered the JavaScript course, I suddenly realized why people say ‘code is hard’. However, I’m loving the journey so far and keep pushing myself every day.
Thank you, TOP community, for providing this amazing learning platform for people like me.
Math teacher who fell in love with code. I work with web technologies, Python, and data science. Currently exploring AI and machine learning while turning ideas into real projects.
Location
Egypt
Education
Mathematics & Data Science web developing,ML,AI(continuous learning)
Erik Trautman’s breakdown of the four phases of learning to code resonates so strongly with my own experience and what I’ve seen in others. The ‘Hand-Holding Honeymoon’ really captures the excitement of early tutorials and gamified challenges, and the way he describes the sudden drop into the ‘Cliff of Confusion’ mirrors the shock of trying to build something from scratch without guidance. I particularly appreciated the explanation of Resource Density and Scope of Knowledge — it’s such an accurate lens for why the Desert of Despair feels so overwhelming, and why persistence and focus are critical. The Upswing of Awesome perfectly captures the bittersweet stage where you can build functional apps but still feel like a newbie under the hood, highlighting the importance of feedback, best practices, and polishing one’s code to professional standards. This article isn’t just motivational; it’s a practical map for anyone serious about surviving and thriving in the coding journey."
Hey Everyone, today (24/06/2026) marks my day of beginning The Odin Project.
Im 28 with 2 yoe in web development, but i thought of cementing my foundation in the age of AI so that I can have a deeper understanding of whats happening under the hood.
Started the odim project now 29/05/2025, and im in love with the project and the propose it has, i started by the foundations course and discovered this post made by the creatro that just gave me a map with all the steps i will face and problems i will have. i will not stop until i fell that im a real programmer and can do things with confidence.
thanks to everybody that put love to make this possible, i promisse that i will use it to make it happens and become a developer.
while you are already just surviving and not living, sometimes the sheer volume of things to learn is overwhelming on its own. Add the current 'AI Rush' into the mix, and it makes sense why someone would need to step away from coding for a bit. Returning is often the hardest part. Like Andrej Karpathy recently noted,
Never felt more behind as a programmer.
But eventually, you wake up and realize you just have to push through the noise. It’s hard for everyone, and I am incredibly grateful for the internet, The Odin Project, and resources like NeetCode. I am tired of starting and stopping, so I am leaving this comment here as a hard commitment to myself. If I am ever on the verge of quitting again, maybe someone in the community will see this and drop a reply to keep me accountable. We are all in the same boat. There is no shame in struggling, we are all just learning, and there is no reason we shouldn't feel confident moving forward.
Amazing post; I loved it. I started learning code 1.5 years ago, but I think I need to relearn due to fundamental gaps. So, I decided to start from scratch by following the Odin Project. Pray for me, guys. I also pray for everyone who has started this journey or wants to start. Best of luck, everybody!🤲🏻
I have wanted to take this course for years and I am finally able to. I am so excited to dive in! I am grateful for this article because it breaks down the reality of learning development and the journey through each phase... all the way to employment. This was a great read!
Thank you for this amazing post. This somewhat sums up my experiences so far. I took a bootcamp, I ended at the tail end of Cliff of Confusion and at the mouth of Despair. Felt like a fraud. I hope I can get past these, this time!
Just started this Odin Project today Oct 15, 2026. I'm 33, M. Working on a 9-5 office job and deciding to switch career. Graduated as CS major but didn't get a chance to use it. Now, getting back to where I started. I'm all for it and I'm very excited! Just doing it! All the best!
Hi, Mike I'm Darron. 61 starting this journey also. I have a degree in Electronic Engineer. Just like you never got to use it. But I plan to learn this and use it.
Hi Darron, great to meet you! It sounds like we have a lot in common. I never got the chance to use my degree either, but it's never too late to learn something new. I'm excited to be on this journey and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish. 😊
Thank you to all the contributors who created this article for aspiring web developers. I also want to thank the beginners reading, digesting, and applying this knowledge while striving to reach their goals. To those who started The Odin Project but couldn't finish: you didn't fail. As the saying goes, "Time and unexpected events overtake us all." Sometimes we have the right mindset but life gets in the way. Shifting to another course is perfectly fine, but remember that nothing good comes easy. Personally, this article has given me a broad perspective and taught me to think outside the box. Based on my research from YouTube and online articles, I know this project will be highly challenging, but I am determined to complete it. If anyone is starting out and wants an accountability partner or collaborator, I would love to connect. Two heads are better than one, and great things take time! Feel free to reach out to me on WhatsApp at +250 738 566 77.
This was a very enlightening blog and made so many things in my head clear now. It's amazing how easy it can be to enter a downward spiral of desperation after learning the basics of something you want to learn, and then not having the guide that you desperately require. As someone who has been stuck in trying to get as many skills only to not be useful with either, this has set me forward. My goal will be work with this mantra to be able to find a job and set my path forward. Thank you ,Erik Trautman!
I was struggling with machine learning and felt confused, so I thought I should switch to front-end (even though my hands are already full). I’m glad I searched it up, and thanks to Odin I found this post. Thank you so much! I’ll finish what I’ve started this time, and then I’ll get back to Odin and do front-end, which is also my goal.
Reading this article is really scaring,however I'm NOT quitting, I'm starting this beautiful journey on 5th January 2026 with The Odin Project. Lets nail it by the end of the year I'll come back to testify what I went through.
Thank you for the post. I am going back to school to achieve a CS degree while also learning to code as well. The takeaways from this post are to stick to one thing, don't give up, seek feedback, always be learning and curious.
Hello I am MIlyas and i just started this journey TOP of full stack developer JS i am a software engineer but as the blog mentions the about the second phase cliff of confusions i too got distracted and got lost after a big break i have come again to stick through all the phases this time. If anyone wants to give me advices or wanna coop on some projects ill be glad thanks.
A friend recommended me the Odin project as I am job hunting at the moment. I live on an island where jobs are hard to find in the off season and I was looking for something to occupy me while I look for a full time job instead of a seasonal one. I was looking into coding and asked around and most people just said google it. While yes, I can google it, but at this point in time there are so many resources that I don't know which are actually useful to start with and which are just slop. I am grateful for him showing me this site a couple of days ago and giving me some tips on how to go on with it. He is in college for this kind of thing so he has more resources than I do, but he said he'll forward me what I need when I get there and help me along the way if needed. So today 5.12.2025. marks the day of my start to learning coding. Wish me luck y'all.
Hi everyone,
I have been wanting to go into coding for years until I met this Young man "Leng" who introduced me to The Odin Project and I am happy to have gotten this opportunity to learn. This Odin Project is meant for common people who wants to learn but does not have the resource to accomplish it.
I promise to work harder to complete this program and identify my mentor "The Odin Project"
Starting my journey on The Odin Project on (12/01/2025), looking forward to learning and developing great things.
Thank you for making such a wonderful course and taking the time to post about the journey that me and my fellow learners are going to embark on in such great detail.
New web developer, transitioning into tech. I'm focused on clean, maintainable code and lifelong learning. Excited to grow, solve real problems, and collaborate with others in the tech community!
I just started the Odin Project today as well (8/5/2025). I'm excited to begin this journey, regardless of the hardships I'll endure. That's just part of it, and I hope everyone taking this course comes out on top! Like one of the other users said, thanks for making this post! It helped put things into perspective, and it also fueled the fire! And what good 'ol Kelly Clarkson once said, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." So let's get after it!
Hi,
I am new, just got started, a Complete Beginner and need Discord members for guidance as we journey on this Software Developing, we can learn along together please.
Please remember that you are my senior in this coding so I will always run to you when I'm in a jam.
Morning all. Started today - Dec. 01, 2025 - (01/12/2025). Starting low and eager to learn.
Odin was mentioned to me by my son's girlfriend yesterday, and since i was doing wordpress sites 2 years ago, this intrigued me.
Hoping this path would lead somewhere as i had been trying to do this before and always ended up just at the start of the Cliff of Confusion. The difference now is that i'm not working anymore. So maybe i could focus more on this.
I just started the Odin Project (11/09/2026) today, right after getting out of my first hackathon (my role was a designer, and my friends developers). I was completely in love with the almost infinite possibilities and creative scope that knowing how to code gives you, so I want to give it a go.
I am a little scared, but also incredibly exited.
I just started The Odin Project on 26/12/2025, and I am so excited yet anxious for this arduous but rewarding coding journey! I am going to take the Foundations course and get the Full Stack JS course once I really learn the basics.
Thank you so much for this informative and wonderful post, I became more motivated to go on this new voyage!!
I went to school for two semesters studying CS --Java specifically. It was hard. I loved it and hated it at the same time, some days feeling like a complete numbskull. When I got things right I felt a high, but it never lasted long. Ultimately I had to drop all my classes after a car accident that put me in a bad financial hold. Time passed and I remembered my frustration more than my joy. The stress I gained from my financial pit and just the thought of combining that with the stress I felt learning to code made me back out entirely. I already felt incapable before, no way would I achieve anything at this rate. It's been three years since then. My itch came back. I can't ignore the call of writing code and solving problems. I still can't afford school, so I took to AI. First, asking if it was even worth it to start up again in today's job market. By the end of my conversation I had an 18 month self-taught curriculum in place. The first phase of the curriculum has brought me to The Odin Project, and obviously, to this article. If my teacher had given us even the slightest explanation of what this path holds as it does in this article I never would have turned away. If I was prepared that I would want to bawl my eyes out at least once a week, and that when I struggled it didn't mean I was stupid, the last three years of my life would have looked vastly different. I would have found a way to keep growing. This article needs to reach more students. Teachers should have it framed in their classrooms and it should be the first assignment before ever asking any of them to get a compiler to write out "Hello, world". I needed this Erik. We all do. Thank you.
Just started today (11/20/2025). Been doing UI/UX stuff and now I wanted to expand my horizon and am diving into web development. This post is such an eye opener. I know this won't be an easy journey but hopefully I will get there.
Well, there's no turning back after I have made up my mind. Starting from scratch, and to be hones,t this post is overwhelming, but now I have direction. Like He said, with the right momentum and mindset, success is inevitable.
Just started the Odin Project today (06-0602025), and i am so happy about walking this path of life. i will be starting the foundational courses and then choose the next course which is best suitable for me.
Day 1 for me now. A guy with a big idea and no qualifications to pull it off who has failed many times in the past but somehow keeps coming back for more. Thank you to Erik Trautman who is making another dream a reality and to all who support TOP in advance.
I started the Odin project today (28/07/25), thank you for this post, it has elevated my spirit and pointed me to what I should focus on. Building while learning is how we cement what we've learnt.
I'm excited to begin this journey although I've been a bit overwhelmed, this post has eased me in the journey.
Consistency and perseverance will make the difference. I will be sure to journal my journey. Thank you once again
*Today 6 October 2025 My day 1 *
love to see all the guys that are from different places and learning a same skill
It’s so nice how we can share so much knowledge with each other without even knowing one another personally
Had to make an account to comment about how awesome this article is! I cannot express how fun it was to read. Daunting subject matter for sure, but incredibly well written and does a great job conveying the ideas the author set out to convey.
I am a dedicated educator with a multifaceted background encompassing agricultural education, blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and generative A. I. tools.
I just started this coding phase yesterday afternoon after my Chatgpt recommended Odin Project as one for me who have no coding background. I will give my best and strive to accomplish this journey. Seeing this post, have added more motivation to me.
I am open to learn and work with friends around the globe.
Just found The Odin Project today. I have tried other courses on Udemy but it did not work well, now I am on college 3th. period in IT Management and I hope to join the area asap. Excited with the project and I promised to myself I will do my best and I will get there!
Starting The Foundations now.
I happen to have saved the bookmark to the Odin project 2 years ago after giving up on software engneering and moving in the direction of data science. The journey hasn't been easy but every lesson gained is worthwhile. The post goes beyond software engineering and speaks to other IT fields like data science, bioinformatics etc.
I find this very useful as I remake my way into the software engineering space.
Thank you! It was very inspiring and informative I Just started the Odin project today, and I hope to figure it out slowly day-by-day
It's Day 1 for me so If anyone wants to form a group to help each other or just a study buddy, I'm up for it.
Wow! I must say I am really impressed with the motivation in this whole context. Thank You So much Erik Trautman for the Great article making us know the journey ahead which all beginner level wed developers are taking.
7/16/2025
This is the beginning of my New Years resolution. I was excited when i started to read all this information then i got a little worried about my abilities to do this kind of thing but now I am feeling a bit more confident with myself and can't wait to get really going on it.
What an awesome read. I feel like I have been spinning wheels for a while now, but I am beginning the Odin Project, and I already feel good about where it will take me. This is a bit scary, I find myself right up to the cliff right before the honeymoon phase ends, then I end up finding a new tutorial. I need to focus and get to and through the cliff and desert. I feel like -- as with most skill development -- the desert is the scariest but most necessary part.
This is my first week as futur web developer but when you feel lost about where to begin or how to take the first steep, it's important to remember that every successful journey start with a single small action..you give with this post more hope and I will make it possible my career .
Hey, am new to web development and currently am working through The Odin Project. I'm really excited to learn and connect with other people here in the community.
Today is (11/05/2026), am just starting the Odin project and starting from foundational to full stack ,As a Highschool graduate who was unenable to join University ,this has really given me hope and motive towards my goal of becoming a professional web developer .Thanks so much ,i really needed this🥰
Hi everyone, I just started the Odin Project today. I’ve always wanted to learn how to code (not sure why), and I have a cool app idea I’d like to eventually develop. I tried making my app the easy way (ChatGPT), and asked it to explain / teach me along the way. Needless to say, I ended up with a shitty app and learned nothing. Excited to be here and start over learning the real way. I’d love to join in some of your groups to help each other along the way. Cheers!
I stumbled across The Odin Project today on reddit while trying to find the best resources to start learning how to code. I'm a complete noob in the world of code so have a huge mountain to climb, but am motivated daily to keep moving forward. Today is the first day of my journey with TOP!! Not sure what path I'll take just ready to rock and roll!!
I’m finally starting my web development journey with The Odin Project today (July 7th, 2025). Honestly, I wish I had started sooner, but I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. Reading this post really hit home, and it perfectly sums up the ups and downs of learning to code. I’m dropping this comment here as a reminder for my future self to look back, see how far I’ve come, and keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Nice to read I'm not the only newbie. Thanks for the spot-on post about the learning process. I have not experienced it in this context yet, but as a teacher I do recognize all the phases in my students, and myself! I'm curious to know if there are more people starting the Odin Project, and are willing to share experiences.
I'm starting the Odin project today and I've never been as excited to learn a new skill before. I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the project and this post has given me a good understanding of what is required.
I decided to wholly jump back onto this horse today after a few attempts to study but finding my moral dying at the honeymoon stage. Am excited to get back into it, and this article has painted a challenging yet fascinating picture of the actual journey ahead. Thank you for this piece of useful information
just started The Odin Projects today, I'm very excited to go by this course and learn Fullstack Javascript course. it will be helpful in my web developer journey. Thanks to The Odin Project that they provide such type of course materials.
Here I am first day of August 4th, 2025, deciding to embark on this journey to hopefully change my life. I have very little experience in this field, so I know there will be difficult times ahead but Im not going to give up. I wish everyone good luck and future success!!!!
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Just started the Odin project today (20/3/2025), and I am so excited to begin this overwhelming but fascinating journey myself! I am going to take the Foundations course and then move to the Full Stack JS course.
Thank you for making this awesome post, which made me motivated, and now I am ready to persevere and grind every single day !!
I'm just embarking on this long and arduous journey now. Which stage are you in? Are you still in the honeymoon period, or have you reached the cliff of confusion? I know we have a long desert of despair to cross before we reach the upswing of awesome. You know what my greatest fear is? My age. At 34, I'm constantly haunted by an inner voice asking if starting this journey is a wise move. 👍
I'm 31, and started TOP in Oct, 2025. So far I'm loving the journey.
im starting this today, is it beginner friendly?
This is not beginner friendly but it is something for which your future self will thank you for. It will make you the real developer not the one who always depended on others
Just do it
This post is gold!
You should probably also mention the Dunning-Kruger effect.
Just getting starting with The Odin Project.
Great article! My favorite line is:
"You're learning faster and more intelligently than ever before and, eventually, you will have absorbed enough best practices that your swiss cheese knowledge coalesces into a production-grade skill set."
Also, I found a little typo:
If you're able to identify a path and stick with it, you'll eventually push forward to the next phase instead of spending months or years chasing mirages across the shifting sands of the this desert.
All the best,
Dave Adams
Honestly this is just the advice I needed. I felt as I was stuck on the Desert of Despair for the longest time and because of it I took a step back from coding and my skills regress. Glad to find this article and the Odin project on my path to becoming a web developer
I started The Odin Project today, and it really resonated with me. I’ve always had the mindset of “I can learn this in just a month,” but that approach hasn’t worked out well. I keep questioning whether the resources I’m following are the right ones and constantly second-guessing my choices: “What if I choose this one? What if that one is better?” All the self-doubt has kept me from starting a project on my own. I’ve been stuck in this cycle for too long. Thanks to this article, I’m now aware that this is just a phase and that I need to keep moving forward. I believe The Odin Project will be a solid starting point for me.
I am new as well. We can do this if we stick with it!
i started a couple days ago, i want to build a study group for morale, focus and inspiration. nothing like friends to share the struggle with!
Hi @johan20000819 I'm looking forward to working with you. I just joined and are beginning my journey today. Let's keep going everyone
I am glad to hear! maybe we could make a group chat on discord, of people in similar learning times
A study group sounds like a fine idea! I just started yesterday, coming from a surface level web design/graphic design background. I look forward to deepening my skills with like-minded learners!
I am 'restarting' The Odin Project today - Wed 15 Apr 2026. I have been down this road a couple of times before, but did not complete it. Looking back, I can see that the distractions came from the urge/curiosity - for lack of better words - in trying some other stuff that could 'make me money faster' - even though I always knew I wanted to end up as a software developer. I did make some money in digital marketing, learn testing automation, and project management, which are all good, but not fulfilling for the long-term goals I'm craving for. So now, I am back for a full commitment. I would like to work with a partner who is also starting or has probably gone in a bit, so we can do pair programming and pull ourselves up when the 'desert of despair' eventually comes. You can send me an email at ubongudotai@gmail.com or contact me on X @andreudotai. See you at 'Job ready'!.
I think it will be great to partner with you. I have starting TOP all over again just like you. Kindly let me know if you are still available.
This hits home
Excellent article. It really resonates with me.
I made it through a reputable boot camp three months ago, but I can see now I was firmly stuck gazing in fear over the Cliff of Confusion. I'm excited to fill in the Swiss cheese holes in my knowledge by working through The Odin Project.
I started learning programming between 2013 and 2016 during high school. However, the whole course was just Java (the one with the coffee), and only in the 5th semester did I start to see web development and fall in love with it. I did a graduation project using HTML, CSS, JS, PHP and a database, hosted via Xampp. But I'm from a humanities background and ended up forgetting everything. I studied History, now I work as an HR assistant and I always find myself wanting to study front-end development. However, many courses teach programming logic, and I understand it, but I can't visualize it. I'm very much a visual learner and this has prevented me from moving forward. I learn more easily if I see a
forloop being applied directly to a website, instead of being asked to do aconsole.log. I started The Odin Project today and I hope to learn a lot.This is such an eye opener for a kid like me who wanted to jump right into coding with all the cool looking courses that internet offered to make a life changing moment. This is a hard hit on my expectations while it also reminds me that path ahead is not easy as it may sound and I need the willpower and focus to push through. I just started the odin project today and I would like to learn it along with someone like me who is uncertain of this path and grow together. I have always believed that teaching others what you know and learning from them of what you don't is the best way of learning. Well please do contact me in discord -
noah_osmont._.or by mail to charancodes@proton.me
Thank Richard, best wishes on working through freeCodeCamp!
What a cool journey we're on!
Hi there, I've just started the Odin Project, today is the (10/08/2025). I've done a few tutorials over the years, but I haven't built anything. I was in template and tutorial hell for a while so this article was definitely enjoyable because I don't feel as alone in my journey towards becoming a full stack developer.
I have no words to describe the familiarity, clarity and realism in this post, I will make sure to share it with anyone beginner in programming, so he takes the right path from the beginning of his journey.
I have been jumping between the mountains of resources out there, the frustration and despair kept growing inside me, but this post cleared my vision and thoughts without a doubt, drawing a clear a path in my head to what I should do.
I started the Oden Project on 25 June 2025, I will stick with only it, I don't have a vision into future, so I don't know what I will encounter in my journey, but I will make sure to keep my passion high and build as much as I can, I will keep moving forward until my name shine in the industry of Web Dev, wish good luck my friends as I wish all of you the same.
Same start date! Good luck!
I'm excited to see where this journey will take both of us, good luck ^^!
Having a solid understanding in HTML/CSS I'm now trying to embark on learning JS - Just started the Odin Project and its ACE! We've got this folks, it'll be one hell of a journey, but one well worth the time. 🤪
Thank you so much! It made me realize that my feelings lately are valid. It motivates me to be not scared of trying new things. Btw, I'm just started Odin project today. I really hope that I can finish this until the end of the lesson. :)
Just started the Odin Project. This will be a great test of my determination, patience and resilience. Would like to network with anyone who is a beginner like myself to help. Our goal would be to support each other and share ideas. I'm also willing to be a student of any possible mentors in the field of a Full Stack Dev.
Hi Talon,
Hope the journey is going well for you. I just started and would be interested to network. If you have discord feel free to add me: smandev
This is a great article that clearly describes the arduous journey of web development without exaggeration. On one hand, it discourages the naysayers and dispels the fears and intimidation associated with code. On the other hand, it also warns those who are overly hopeful or irrationally exuberant.
This article clearly shows all kinds of troubles we will face this one is really is a good one for starters, I just started this "THE ODIN PROJECT" today and I will re-comment after completion.
All the best to you all.
Just started my journey today, after making a tough decision to leave my marketing career behind, i'm 20 so i know i still have plenty of time to learn, fail, iterate and improve... reading this article also prepares my mind for what's to come, pretty sure i'd be back here occasionally when things get hard.
Such an eye opener. Honestly, I spent way more time reading, introspecting and grasping the teachings than I normally would, but damn is it worth it! I honestly wish someone would have recommended me this sooner.
As someone wandering the Desert of Despair for quite some time; it honestly felt as if the Mr. Erik knew me inside out. All my worries, problems, shortcomings and acute advice to overcome them, all condensed into one.
I would again request everyone to not just read it/skim it but rather absorb it (if that makes any sense) and *reread it again and again. *
BEST OF LUCK!
I just accepted a job to create a website for a local tattoo studio + I feel like I know what I'm doing but I'm suspicious of how easy it seems like this project is going to be lol. I've got experience in a few of the major languages I need to use because of my software engineering degree, but I was SO bad at that course because I thought it was intensely boring. Hopefully the Odin Project means I can find a passion for this and maybe go into freelance webdev:)
Hey all, I recently started the Odin project and have a fair idea of HTML, CSS, and JS, but am going through the foundations course right now, planning to take the full stack web developer path. I also have some experience in Java and cloud fundamentals in Azure. Looking for dedicated learners to pair up with so we can support each other in the learning process!
I come from a civil engineering background. Recently, I’ve been trying to automate my tasks through coding. In the last 2 months, I finished my “hand-holding” phase and have now set out a clear path forward with my tech stack:
Starting today (17/06/25), I decided to invest my time into The Odin Project to complete my first three goals: mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and later I’ll move to FreeCodeCamp for Python.
My end goal is to build real-world solutions that solve problems I face in my field.
I’m always open to suggestions. If there’s a tool, concept, or path you think I should explore, feel free to share!
Just starting the Odin Project today, 06/09/2026, and I believe that I can make it to the end and bring my ideas to life. My name is Oluwafunmilayo from Nigeria, Thanks to you all and the founder of this great Project.
Just started the Odin project today (17/09/2025), and I am so excited to begin this overwhelming but excellent journey! I actually think I am gonna do the Foundations course and then move to the Full Stack JS course, but still thinking about Ruby on Rails.
Thank you for this awesome post.
Thank you for the guideness sir, i really love to learn by self taught and this odin project also doing that way with documentation. i think today my motivation was so high because of its my phase 0 ,but gradually i build learning as system not just a goal , i will do it consistently and im also so eager to take my first step on this and good to see you all foks, stay with touch i will update it...
As a person who started 4 yrs ago, and near to "job" ready, gotta confess that it wasn't easy... but it was EXTREMELY FUN & REWARDING! I'd say that you won't regret this thing if u do it properly...
I was thinking of coaching some beginners...
Anybody interested?
I’m 31, and I just started learning this TOP curriculum in October 2025. In the HTML and CSS course, I thought it was too easy, but when I entered the JavaScript course, I suddenly realized why people say ‘code is hard’. However, I’m loving the journey so far and keep pushing myself every day.
Thank you, TOP community, for providing this amazing learning platform for people like me.
Erik Trautman’s breakdown of the four phases of learning to code resonates so strongly with my own experience and what I’ve seen in others. The ‘Hand-Holding Honeymoon’ really captures the excitement of early tutorials and gamified challenges, and the way he describes the sudden drop into the ‘Cliff of Confusion’ mirrors the shock of trying to build something from scratch without guidance. I particularly appreciated the explanation of Resource Density and Scope of Knowledge — it’s such an accurate lens for why the Desert of Despair feels so overwhelming, and why persistence and focus are critical. The Upswing of Awesome perfectly captures the bittersweet stage where you can build functional apps but still feel like a newbie under the hood, highlighting the importance of feedback, best practices, and polishing one’s code to professional standards. This article isn’t just motivational; it’s a practical map for anyone serious about surviving and thriving in the coding journey."
Hey Everyone, today (24/06/2026) marks my day of beginning The Odin Project.
Im 28 with 2 yoe in web development, but i thought of cementing my foundation in the age of AI so that I can have a deeper understanding of whats happening under the hood.
Thank you Erik for this wonderful path.
Started the odim project now 29/05/2025, and im in love with the project and the propose it has, i started by the foundations course and discovered this post made by the creatro that just gave me a map with all the steps i will face and problems i will have. i will not stop until i fell that im a real programmer and can do things with confidence.
thanks to everybody that put love to make this possible, i promisse that i will use it to make it happens and become a developer.
while you are already just surviving and not living, sometimes the sheer volume of things to learn is overwhelming on its own. Add the current 'AI Rush' into the mix, and it makes sense why someone would need to step away from coding for a bit. Returning is often the hardest part. Like Andrej Karpathy recently noted,
But eventually, you wake up and realize you just have to push through the noise. It’s hard for everyone, and I am incredibly grateful for the internet, The Odin Project, and resources like NeetCode. I am tired of starting and stopping, so I am leaving this comment here as a hard commitment to myself. If I am ever on the verge of quitting again, maybe someone in the community will see this and drop a reply to keep me accountable. We are all in the same boat. There is no shame in struggling, we are all just learning, and there is no reason we shouldn't feel confident moving forward.
Hello, I'm here to ask if you're still committed
Amazing post; I loved it. I started learning code 1.5 years ago, but I think I need to relearn due to fundamental gaps. So, I decided to start from scratch by following the Odin Project. Pray for me, guys. I also pray for everyone who has started this journey or wants to start. Best of luck, everybody!🤲🏻
I have wanted to take this course for years and I am finally able to. I am so excited to dive in! I am grateful for this article because it breaks down the reality of learning development and the journey through each phase... all the way to employment. This was a great read!
Thank you for this amazing post. This somewhat sums up my experiences so far. I took a bootcamp, I ended at the tail end of Cliff of Confusion and at the mouth of Despair. Felt like a fraud. I hope I can get past these, this time!
Just started this Odin Project today Oct 15, 2026. I'm 33, M. Working on a 9-5 office job and deciding to switch career. Graduated as CS major but didn't get a chance to use it. Now, getting back to where I started. I'm all for it and I'm very excited! Just doing it! All the best!
Hi, Mike I'm Darron. 61 starting this journey also. I have a degree in Electronic Engineer. Just like you never got to use it. But I plan to learn this and use it.
Hi Darron, great to meet you! It sounds like we have a lot in common. I never got the chance to use my degree either, but it's never too late to learn something new. I'm excited to be on this journey and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish. 😊
Thank you to all the contributors who created this article for aspiring web developers. I also want to thank the beginners reading, digesting, and applying this knowledge while striving to reach their goals. To those who started The Odin Project but couldn't finish: you didn't fail. As the saying goes, "Time and unexpected events overtake us all." Sometimes we have the right mindset but life gets in the way. Shifting to another course is perfectly fine, but remember that nothing good comes easy. Personally, this article has given me a broad perspective and taught me to think outside the box. Based on my research from YouTube and online articles, I know this project will be highly challenging, but I am determined to complete it. If anyone is starting out and wants an accountability partner or collaborator, I would love to connect. Two heads are better than one, and great things take time! Feel free to reach out to me on WhatsApp at +250 738 566 77.
This was a very enlightening blog and made so many things in my head clear now. It's amazing how easy it can be to enter a downward spiral of desperation after learning the basics of something you want to learn, and then not having the guide that you desperately require. As someone who has been stuck in trying to get as many skills only to not be useful with either, this has set me forward. My goal will be work with this mantra to be able to find a job and set my path forward. Thank you ,Erik Trautman!
I was struggling with machine learning and felt confused, so I thought I should switch to front-end (even though my hands are already full). I’m glad I searched it up, and thanks to Odin I found this post. Thank you so much! I’ll finish what I’ve started this time, and then I’ll get back to Odin and do front-end, which is also my goal.
Reading this article is really scaring,however I'm NOT quitting, I'm starting this beautiful journey on 5th January 2026 with The Odin Project. Lets nail it by the end of the year I'll come back to testify what I went through.
Thank you for the post. I am going back to school to achieve a CS degree while also learning to code as well. The takeaways from this post are to stick to one thing, don't give up, seek feedback, always be learning and curious.
Hello I am MIlyas and i just started this journey TOP of full stack developer JS i am a software engineer but as the blog mentions the about the second phase cliff of confusions i too got distracted and got lost after a big break i have come again to stick through all the phases this time. If anyone wants to give me advices or wanna coop on some projects ill be glad thanks.
A friend recommended me the Odin project as I am job hunting at the moment. I live on an island where jobs are hard to find in the off season and I was looking for something to occupy me while I look for a full time job instead of a seasonal one. I was looking into coding and asked around and most people just said google it. While yes, I can google it, but at this point in time there are so many resources that I don't know which are actually useful to start with and which are just slop. I am grateful for him showing me this site a couple of days ago and giving me some tips on how to go on with it. He is in college for this kind of thing so he has more resources than I do, but he said he'll forward me what I need when I get there and help me along the way if needed. So today 5.12.2025. marks the day of my start to learning coding. Wish me luck y'all.
Hi everyone,
I have been wanting to go into coding for years until I met this Young man "Leng" who introduced me to The Odin Project and I am happy to have gotten this opportunity to learn. This Odin Project is meant for common people who wants to learn but does not have the resource to accomplish it.
I promise to work harder to complete this program and identify my mentor "The Odin Project"
bro have you created the discord group for beginners to learn , if you did that can you please add me in that group
Starting my journey on The Odin Project on (12/01/2025), looking forward to learning and developing great things.
Thank you for making such a wonderful course and taking the time to post about the journey that me and my fellow learners are going to embark on in such great detail.
Thank You
I just started the Odin Project today as well (8/5/2025). I'm excited to begin this journey, regardless of the hardships I'll endure. That's just part of it, and I hope everyone taking this course comes out on top! Like one of the other users said, thanks for making this post! It helped put things into perspective, and it also fueled the fire! And what good 'ol Kelly Clarkson once said, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." So let's get after it!
Hi,
I am new, just got started, a Complete Beginner and need Discord members for guidance as we journey on this Software Developing, we can learn along together please.
Please remember that you are my senior in this coding so I will always run to you when I'm in a jam.
Morning all. Started today - Dec. 01, 2025 - (01/12/2025). Starting low and eager to learn.
Odin was mentioned to me by my son's girlfriend yesterday, and since i was doing wordpress sites 2 years ago, this intrigued me.
Hoping this path would lead somewhere as i had been trying to do this before and always ended up just at the start of the Cliff of Confusion. The difference now is that i'm not working anymore. So maybe i could focus more on this.
I just started the Odin Project (11/09/2026) today, right after getting out of my first hackathon (my role was a designer, and my friends developers). I was completely in love with the almost infinite possibilities and creative scope that knowing how to code gives you, so I want to give it a go.
I am a little scared, but also incredibly exited.
I just started The Odin Project on 26/12/2025, and I am so excited yet anxious for this arduous but rewarding coding journey! I am going to take the Foundations course and get the Full Stack JS course once I really learn the basics.
Thank you so much for this informative and wonderful post, I became more motivated to go on this new voyage!!
I went to school for two semesters studying CS --Java specifically. It was hard. I loved it and hated it at the same time, some days feeling like a complete numbskull. When I got things right I felt a high, but it never lasted long. Ultimately I had to drop all my classes after a car accident that put me in a bad financial hold. Time passed and I remembered my frustration more than my joy. The stress I gained from my financial pit and just the thought of combining that with the stress I felt learning to code made me back out entirely. I already felt incapable before, no way would I achieve anything at this rate. It's been three years since then. My itch came back. I can't ignore the call of writing code and solving problems. I still can't afford school, so I took to AI. First, asking if it was even worth it to start up again in today's job market. By the end of my conversation I had an 18 month self-taught curriculum in place. The first phase of the curriculum has brought me to The Odin Project, and obviously, to this article. If my teacher had given us even the slightest explanation of what this path holds as it does in this article I never would have turned away. If I was prepared that I would want to bawl my eyes out at least once a week, and that when I struggled it didn't mean I was stupid, the last three years of my life would have looked vastly different. I would have found a way to keep growing. This article needs to reach more students. Teachers should have it framed in their classrooms and it should be the first assignment before ever asking any of them to get a compiler to write out "Hello, world". I needed this Erik. We all do. Thank you.
Just started today (11/20/2025). Been doing UI/UX stuff and now I wanted to expand my horizon and am diving into web development. This post is such an eye opener. I know this won't be an easy journey but hopefully I will get there.
Would love to join a community if there is one.
Well, there's no turning back after I have made up my mind. Starting from scratch, and to be hones,t this post is overwhelming, but now I have direction. Like He said, with the right momentum and mindset, success is inevitable.
Just started the Odin Project today (06-0602025), and i am so happy about walking this path of life. i will be starting the foundational courses and then choose the next course which is best suitable for me.
Day 1 for me now. A guy with a big idea and no qualifications to pull it off who has failed many times in the past but somehow keeps coming back for more. Thank you to Erik Trautman who is making another dream a reality and to all who support TOP in advance.
I started the Odin project today (28/07/25), thank you for this post, it has elevated my spirit and pointed me to what I should focus on. Building while learning is how we cement what we've learnt.
I'm excited to begin this journey although I've been a bit overwhelmed, this post has eased me in the journey.
Consistency and perseverance will make the difference. I will be sure to journal my journey. Thank you once again
*Today 6 October 2025 My day 1 *
love to see all the guys that are from different places and learning a same skill
It’s so nice how we can share so much knowledge with each other without even knowing one another personally
Had to make an account to comment about how awesome this article is! I cannot express how fun it was to read. Daunting subject matter for sure, but incredibly well written and does a great job conveying the ideas the author set out to convey.
I just started this coding phase yesterday afternoon after my Chatgpt recommended Odin Project as one for me who have no coding background. I will give my best and strive to accomplish this journey. Seeing this post, have added more motivation to me.
I am open to learn and work with friends around the globe.
Just found The Odin Project today. I have tried other courses on Udemy but it did not work well, now I am on college 3th. period in IT Management and I hope to join the area asap. Excited with the project and I promised to myself I will do my best and I will get there!
Starting The Foundations now.
I happen to have saved the bookmark to the Odin project 2 years ago after giving up on software engneering and moving in the direction of data science. The journey hasn't been easy but every lesson gained is worthwhile. The post goes beyond software engineering and speaks to other IT fields like data science, bioinformatics etc.
I find this very useful as I remake my way into the software engineering space.
Thank you! It was very inspiring and informative I Just started the Odin project today, and I hope to figure it out slowly day-by-day
It's Day 1 for me so If anyone wants to form a group to help each other or just a study buddy, I'm up for it.
Wow! I must say I am really impressed with the motivation in this whole context. Thank You So much Erik Trautman for the Great article making us know the journey ahead which all beginner level wed developers are taking.
7/16/2025
This is the beginning of my New Years resolution. I was excited when i started to read all this information then i got a little worried about my abilities to do this kind of thing but now I am feeling a bit more confident with myself and can't wait to get really going on it.
Hi Linda,
Even getting started is an awesome step! I hope you keep with it!
What an awesome read. I feel like I have been spinning wheels for a while now, but I am beginning the Odin Project, and I already feel good about where it will take me. This is a bit scary, I find myself right up to the cliff right before the honeymoon phase ends, then I end up finding a new tutorial. I need to focus and get to and through the cliff and desert. I feel like -- as with most skill development -- the desert is the scariest but most necessary part.
Great post, didn't know that others are struggling as well. Felt like a failure for taking longer to finish smaller projects.
Gives me the encouragement to continue the journey, thank you Erik Trautman and the Odin community.
We can do this, continue to learn and develop.
This is my first week as futur web developer but when you feel lost about where to begin or how to take the first steep, it's important to remember that every successful journey start with a single small action..you give with this post more hope and I will make it possible my career .
Today is (11/05/2026), am just starting the Odin project and starting from foundational to full stack ,As a Highschool graduate who was unenable to join University ,this has really given me hope and motive towards my goal of becoming a professional web developer .Thanks so much ,i really needed this🥰
Hi everyone, I just started the Odin Project today. I’ve always wanted to learn how to code (not sure why), and I have a cool app idea I’d like to eventually develop. I tried making my app the easy way (ChatGPT), and asked it to explain / teach me along the way. Needless to say, I ended up with a shitty app and learned nothing. Excited to be here and start over learning the real way. I’d love to join in some of your groups to help each other along the way. Cheers!
I stumbled across The Odin Project today on reddit while trying to find the best resources to start learning how to code. I'm a complete noob in the world of code so have a huge mountain to climb, but am motivated daily to keep moving forward. Today is the first day of my journey with TOP!! Not sure what path I'll take just ready to rock and roll!!
I’m finally starting my web development journey with The Odin Project today (July 7th, 2025). Honestly, I wish I had started sooner, but I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. Reading this post really hit home, and it perfectly sums up the ups and downs of learning to code. I’m dropping this comment here as a reminder for my future self to look back, see how far I’ve come, and keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Nice to read I'm not the only newbie. Thanks for the spot-on post about the learning process. I have not experienced it in this context yet, but as a teacher I do recognize all the phases in my students, and myself! I'm curious to know if there are more people starting the Odin Project, and are willing to share experiences.
I'm starting the Odin project today and I've never been as excited to learn a new skill before. I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the project and this post has given me a good understanding of what is required.
Time to lock in!
I decided to wholly jump back onto this horse today after a few attempts to study but finding my moral dying at the honeymoon stage. Am excited to get back into it, and this article has painted a challenging yet fascinating picture of the actual journey ahead. Thank you for this piece of useful information
just started The Odin Projects today, I'm very excited to go by this course and learn Fullstack Javascript course. it will be helpful in my web developer journey. Thanks to The Odin Project that they provide such type of course materials.
Here I am first day of August 4th, 2025, deciding to embark on this journey to hopefully change my life. I have very little experience in this field, so I know there will be difficult times ahead but Im not going to give up. I wish everyone good luck and future success!!!!