Learning to Code Later in Life: My Struggles and Triumphs
My Coding Journey in My Forties
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Why I am here...
I've been on this journey of learning how to code for just over a year now. I'm not yet where I want to be, but it has led me to start at Bloomtech Institute of Technology. To develop good habits, establish a schedule, and maintain consistency, I thought that starting this blog would help. I've noticed that keeping up with any kind of schedule and staying on track is a significant challenge for me. With that said, here I am.
A little about me...
I am in my forties and have three older children who all live outside my home. I don't have a career that I can truly call my own. Honestly, I've only had jobs like gas station clerks, janitorial work, home health aide, etc. - things I'm not passionate about at all! I grew up in the 80s-90s when computers started becoming common in people's homes. My father was a computer programmer who even created programs for the government. My stepfather could build computers from scratch and was very knowledgeable about tech. So, technology has always been a part of my life. It took me a while to realize that it was something I wanted to pursue. People have often called me tech-savvy and turned to me for help with their phones or computers. It wasn't until a little over a year ago that it all finally clicked.
My hopes && goals...
I really want to become a frontend web developer, though that's not set in stone. I'm eager to find something I can excel at while having fun and learning as I go. I truly enjoy learning new things. However, I've noticed that it's not as easy as it was when I was younger to learn and remember things. Nowadays, it's harder for me to retain information. I might grasp concepts quickly, but remembering them for later use has been a challenge. So, I undoubtedly have some daunting tasks ahead of me. I know that this journey won't always be easy, but I'm determined to persevere until I feel accomplished and successful. Having a career that's truly my own and something I can do at my age will undoubtedly be a triumph.
Struggles...
Maintaining a productive schedule
Establishing positive habits
Coding daily
JavaScript - has proven to be challenging
Completing projects and assignments
Seeking help
Retaining information
Blogging...
I plan to post this on several sites that I use to stay active in coding communities. Please feel free to comment or message me. I don't know anyone who shares my interests in the tech world, so I hope to meet like-minded individuals. That way, maybe having people I can turn to for help would be beneficial. I will post as often as possible, and I look forward to this journey. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and make good choices. Life is full of challenging times and tough decisions, but how we navigate them is what truly matters. :)