How can I make it in coding? Stop Condemning Yourself: If I Made It in Coding, You Too Can Do Same
Introduction
There was a time I thought coding was for geniuses or those that have high logical skill. The kind of people who grew up building computers in their garages, solving math problems in their sleep, or speaking in strange programming languages before they even mastered their native tongue. I didn’t think I belonged in that category. I told myself, “I’m not smart enough. I’m not cut out for coding.”
But as time goes on, I discovered that I was wrong.
Today, I can proudly say I’m not only writing code but also building real-life projects that people use. And if there’s one lesson my journey has taught me, it’s this: stop condemning yourself. If I made it in coding, you too can do the same.
This post is for anyone who feels stuck, defeated, or too “ordinary” to learn programming. I’ll share my story, the challenges I faced, the breakthroughs I experienced, and the mindset shifts that made all the difference. By the end, you’ll realize coding isn’t about being a genius — it’s about persistence, practice, and refusing to condemn yourself before you even try.
BOOK THE MOVING FLIGHT NOW!Why Do We Condemn Ourselves Before Starting Something?
I have come to the understanding that Self-condemnation is one of the biggest roadblocks to learning anything new, especially coding. Before even writing our first line of code, many of us start thinking:
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“I’m too old for this.”
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“I’m not good at math.”
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“I didn’t study computer science, so I can’t succeed.”
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“What if I fail and look stupid?”
These thoughts are destructive. They don’t just make you doubt yourself — they paralyze you. And the truth is, none of them are accurate.
Coding doesn’t require you to be a math wizard, though it also helped me because I like problem solving right from time. It doesn’t care about your age or whether you studied engineering in school. What matters most is your willingness to learn, experiment, fail, and try again. Sometimes I will live every other things I was doing and carry me small laptop and sat down somewhere at Umuikaa Junction and begin to run python codes.
If you’ve been condemning yourself with negative self-talk, I want you to pause right now and reflect: where are these thoughts coming from? Are they based on actual experience or just fear?
My Struggle Before I Started Coding
I wasn’t born into coding, though I love something like logical reasoning and anything involving calculations. But for coding, I avoided it for years. I thought it was something other people did — the nerds, the hackers, the Silicon Valley elite. Even after graduating from the higher institution, I didn't want to venture into this.
When I finally gave it a try, I felt completely lost. Opening a code editor was like staring at a foreign language. Every error message felt like the universe confirming my worst fear: “You’re not cut out for this.”
I compared myself to others who seemed to pick things up quickly. While they built apps and websites, I was stuck trying to understand why a missing semicolon broke my entire program. I almost gave up.
But then I realized something powerful: those who seemed “better” than me weren’t smarter — they were simply further along in the process. They had failed more times, practiced more hours, and read more documentation. That’s it.
Small Wins That Changed Everything For Me
The turning point for me wasn’t when I mastered a programming language or built a big project. It was when I started celebrating small wins:
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The first time I displayed “Hello World” on my screen using python.
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The first time I fixed an error without searching online.
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The first time I built a simple calculator that actually worked.
These small victories were proof that I could learn. They silenced the voice that kept condemning me.
And that’s what you need to understand: progress in coding (and life) is built on small wins. If you can solve one problem today that you couldn’t solve yesterday, you’re already moving forward.
Lessons I Learned on My Coding Journey
Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned — lessons that helped me stop condemning myself and keep pushing forward:
1. Coding Is a Skill, Not a Talent
No one is born knowing how to code just like me. Everyone starts at zero. The people who succeed are simply those who practice long enough to improve.
2. Failure Is Feedback
In coding, your program will break a hundred times before it works. That doesn’t mean you’re bad at it — it means you’re learning. Every error message is a clue pointing you in the right direction.
3. Comparison Steals Your Joy
If you keep comparing yourself to senior developers, you’ll always feel inadequate. Instead, compare yourself to the version of you from last week. Are you making progress? That’s all that matters.
4. Community Helps
When I joined coding forums and online communities, I realized I wasn’t alone. Thousands of beginners struggle daily, and sharing the journey with others makes it easier.
5. Consistency Beats Intensity
You don’t need to code 10 hours a day. Coding one hour consistently every day is far more powerful than occasional all-night sessions.
How Coding Transformed My Life Today
Once I stopped condemning myself and embraced the process, doors began to open:
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I built my first website from scratch.
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I landed freelance gigs that paid real money.
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I started contributing to open-source projects.
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My problem-solving skills improved beyond coding — I became more confident in facing challenges in other areas of life.
The best part? Coding gave me freedom. Freedom to create, freedom to work remotely, and freedom to build projects that solve real-world problems.
If someone like me — who once doubted himself endlessly — could get here, imagine what you can achieve if you stop condemning yourself.
BOOK THE BEST HOTEL!Practical Steps for You as a Beginners
If you’re ready to begin your journey in coding, here are some steps that worked for me:
1. Start Small
Don’t overwhelm yourself with ten languages at once. Begin with one — Python or JavaScript are great starting points.
2. Learn by Doing
Don’t just watch tutorials. Build something simple. A calculator. A to-do list app. A personal website.
3. Break Problems Into Pieces
When faced with a big project, break it into small, solvable chunks. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed.
4. Use Free Resources
Platforms like freeCodeCamp, W3Schools, and YouTube tutorials offer excellent free lessons.
5. Join a Community
Find a coding buddy or join online groups where you can ask questions and share progress.
6. Celebrate Small Wins
Keep track of your milestones, no matter how small. This builds confidence. Also, you need to believe that you can do it.
The Mindset Shift You Need in Your Coding Journey
At the core of all this is mindset. You can have the best resources and the most time, but if you keep condemning yourself, you’ll never move forward.
Here’s the mindset that worked for me:
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I am allowed to make mistakes. Every developer makes them.
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I don’t need to know everything. Even senior programmers Google things every day.
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Progress is better than perfection.
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My journey is unique. I don’t need to measure it against anyone else’s.
Once you adopt this mindset, coding becomes less intimidating and more exciting.
Real-Life Examples of People Who Made It
I’m not the only one who started from zero. Here are some inspiring examples:
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Quincy Larson, founder of freeCodeCamp, was an English teacher before he learned to code. Now he helps millions of learners worldwide.
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Jessica McKellar switched from chemistry to coding and became a successful engineer and open-source contributor.
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Self-taught developers on platforms like GitHub and Twitter share daily stories of how coding transformed their careers.
These stories prove that coding isn’t reserved for “special” people. Ordinary people, with persistence and patience, are breaking barriers every day.
Why You Should Stop Condemning Yourself Today
Condemning yourself doesn’t protect you. It doesn’t make the journey easier. All it does is stop you from starting.
The truth is, coding is hard — but so is staying stuck. Would you rather struggle while learning a valuable skill, or struggle with regret because you never tried?
The choice is yours. And if my journey is any proof, choosing to start is always worth it.
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Conclusion
When I look back at my journey, I’m grateful I didn’t let self-condemnation stop me. I could have easily quit after my first error message, or after comparing myself to others who seemed better. But I chose to keep going.
Today, I’m living proof that if I made it in coding, you too can do the same.
So, stop condemning yourself. Don’t let fear or self-doubt rob you of the future you could build. Open that code editor. Write your first line of code. Fail. Try again. Celebrate small wins. Keep pushing.
One day, you’ll look back and realize that the person you once thought wasn’t “smart enough” has become a full-fledged coder.
If I, Nwasir Aguwa can do it, so can you.
Before you log out, I will like to know?
1. Are you interested in coding?
2. Which programming language are you planning to start with?
3. If you have already started, which challenge are you currently facing?
Please if you need any assistant, regarding coding reply to the above questions so that I will know how to help you in my upcoming contents. For now, bye.
