furi.blog

Like many other self-taught programmers, I have been struggling with practicing self-discipline when comes to learning how to code.

So, I have been roaming the “desert of despair” shown in the above graph (click here if you cannot see the image) for a while now. I made apps and websites from scratch, but could never get the hang of back-end development for the longest time. I was getting discouraged. Then, my spirit was completely broken when I reported the last scam “job offer” I received among several in a short time. I am talking about those people who snag a domain similar to that of a real company, and send you emails acting interested in hiring you. I count my blessings that at least I had the wisdom to call the actual company to confirm that it was them sending me this offer. It was not. The offer was sent by scammers trying to commit identity theft or fraud, I don’t know which. All I know is these close-calls smothered the embers of motivation and passion I had left to pursue programming jobs after having already arrived at the “desert of despair” by that point.

Add to all that frustration the accelerated development of A.I. technology, which meant that Junior Software Developer jobs were no longer a thing by the time I became competent enough to seriously seek a programming job. Up until the point I decided I was no longer trying to get an entry level programmer position, I had kept asking myself, “What do employers want from a new hire?”, “Which programming language will be more useful in landing a job?”, “What sort of skills are in the job descriptions I am seeking to get hired for?”, and so on.

No more.

I am done trying to learn coding and related skills for potential (but in fact, non-existent) future employers. I am going to code for myself. I already do enjoy coding. I want to work on the projects that are actually of interest to me, rather than trying to look good for some (probably fake) company.

So, now I’m asking myself “What do I want to build or make?”, “What problem do I want to solve?”, “What is a cool thing I’d like to create some day?”, etc.

I re-started my coding journey recently. When deciding where to start learning again, I began with the end result in mind. I listed some projects I would like to build some day, even if I end up not being able to reach the required level of competence for a long time. Here are some ideas for projects that are of interest to me:

• code snippet sorter
• bookmark management web app or extension
• mind mapping tool
• web-based forum
• movie/book/show review library & entry system
• rpg character creator
• “choose your own adventure”-style text based rpg game
• escape room website
• showroom website
• calendar app
• content management system
• online whiteboard
• WYSIWYG editor (like Dreamweaver)

I decided, since most of what I want to make is web-based, that I would like to focus on HTML/CSS, Javascript, and React at first. We’ll go from there.

I’m coding for myself this time. Wish me luck.