Time for me to vent...
I'm just 3 months into my coding journey, and already I'm starting to think if this is for me. It is a lot and I mean a lot of information to process. Especially when it comes to learning JavaScript which I am currently doing right now. So far I would say that my HTML and CSS skills are improving. But I am still struggling the most with CSS styling especially Mobile-First workflow. The good news is that it doesn't take me as long now to build a basic web page using CSS and HTML.
I practice my HTML and CSS skills by completing FrontEndMentor challenges. Everything was peachy in the beginning when I was only using HTML and CSS. I was feeling confident in my abilities. But then here comes JavaScript. I am currently working on a challenge right now that needs JavaScript to do form validation. This right here is making me second guess myself. If learning how to do form validation is this hard? Just imagine what it would be like to learn more advanced topics in JavaScript. Especially when it comes time to learn React.
Just as the title says, I am already having imposter syndrome. Will I ever be good enough or know enough to start applying for jobs? Am I wasting my time learning a skill that is too difficult to master? I know it doesn't make sense to quit. But that thought has crossed my mind. In the end I know that quitting will not help the situation get any better. I just have to take little steps and take it one day at a time.
Top comments (22)
You’re not an imposter, you’re just inexperienced. The longer you work as a developer the more experience you’ll obtain. soon writing JavaScript and logical problems solving will become second nature if you keep practicing.
I'll definitely keep practicing.
I cannot tell you how much I dislike this constant talk of "imposter syndrome".
The idea that us as individuals need to constantly be judging ourselves as it relates to how we perceive others is a road to self deprecation and a life of uncertainty.
This is not good for personal growth. Like many things talking about "imposter syndrome" has become more of a "fad" or thing to do because others are, but if I'm being honest, it is nothing but determental.
Unless you are saying "hi my name is Mark Zuckerberg and I was involved in the creation of what is now know as Facebook(meta)"....
THEN YOU ARE NOT AN IMPOSTER.
You are you. We all are who we are unless we tell others we're someONE else.
When you were a baby and had to be spoon fed, were you a impostering a toddler?
When you were in grade school, were you impostering an adult working a full-time job in their career of choice?
Always remember that just because everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, doesn't mean the wagon isn't going off a cliff.
thank you, your text was very important to me because of this week. God bless you
Thanks for mentioning this, I also read "Imposter Syndrome" a lot and think this is some kind of trend.
The first step on the journey to becoming good at a skill is to be bad in that skill.
Keep at it and try to enjoy it, don't put pressure on yourself. It's much easier to be motivated when you are having a good time. If you are not having a good time then take a step back and come back to it when your head is clear.
I feel you, I've just had a job interview and I already work as a dev for 7 months now, I failed it miserably both on theory and live coding assessment and questioned myself whether I really learned anything at all during these months of work and study for even longer than that. On the same day I just realized I need to go back to basics.
I rushed many things and didn't pay enough attention to those basics.
Failing and feeling down gives you a good perspective since you can stop and look back to realize that you already know something. It's not like all this practice is going nowhere, it just takes time.
I learned programming for like a year before applying for a job, so be patient.
Right. I have been coding on and off for about 2 years but started learning consistently since January. And I totally agree with you about rushing to learn the basics. That was my problem and also jumping form one programming language to the next without real understanding the fundamentals. But now I finally figured out a better way for me to learn JavaScript and I actually learn better by building projects.
Wow, that's pretty much 100% my story, I've been learning like this for almost 2 years now, but I only consider what I've done in the last year a real learning, because I actually started building something. I had some ups and downs when I just stopped or change direction completely, it's good to know that there is someone who is on the same path, don't worry it will pay off!
It's completely normal what you are feeling, learning a programming language take time and is harder then HTML and CSS. If you study everyday without rushing it or comparing with other experienced devs you will be better and better. You have to be patient and take you time.
I can't tell you how many times, at the beginning, learning JavaScript, I thought "I will never understand this". Then one day you realise you are solving problems and you won't even be able to pinpoint when you got it.
Keep going, don't think too much. I also transitioned from Retail, so you can do it too!
Oh wow! Glad to know there's someone else transitioning careers from retail to tech.
Yeah... I know those feelings...
But, just keep going. Practice is the key. There will be a magic moment in wich this form validation will just appear almost automatically like magic. And it feels great.
And I can assure you that this happened all the time, and all of us in our first steps coding.
Just relax. You're in The right Path ;)
Thank you so much! I needed to hear this and also, I actually completed the project and figured how how to use form validation after all. But honestly CSS is my weakest point.
Whatever you are feeling, even the programmers who have been writing code for last 10 years also feel that sometimes.
My suggestion is to stop judging yourself and go walk on the path of learning. You will find everything you need.
Hope that helps :)
Don't worry i i had impostor sindrome when i first started but i kept learning until now i am getting ready to get a job.
The point is don't give up on coding and surely you will overcome it
Oh no I won't give up even though its a tough journey. But I know once I start applying and get my first tech job, it will be sooooo worth it.
This is a phase when you learning (almost anything). You learn, gain confident, see people better than you, you down, you realize to need practice more, you be huble and get a new job.
It's normal and everyone experienced the same. And pls, no more "impostor syndrom" before you talk to your psychology.
Have a great day.