--- title: "Discussion on \"The emotional gauntlet of learning to code\" | Hashnode" description: "Discussion on \"The emotional gauntlet of learning to code\". In a recent post I wrote about my long journey getting into programming, it made me remember some funny moments from the most intense period of my programming education which took place Spring/Summer 2016. \nI attended a coding bootcamp, and to say th..." url: "https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1" --- [Feed](https://hashnode.com/feed) / Discussion # [The emotional gauntlet of learning to code](https://heyjtk.hashnode.dev/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code?utm_source=hashnode&utm_medium=feed) In a recent post I wrote about my long journey getting into programming, it made me remember some funny moments from the most intense period of my programming education which took place Spring/Summer 2016. I attended a coding bootcamp, and to say th... Jul 21, 2022 · 11 min read · heyjtk.hashnode.dev Updated Jul 23, 2022 Read the article - [#codenewbies](https://hashnode.com/tag/codenewbies) - [#code](https://hashnode.com/tag/code) - [#mentalhealth-1](https://hashnode.com/tag/mentalhealth-1) - [#programming](https://hashnode.com/tag/programming) ## Written by [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) @heyJTK [View profile](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) Senior Software Engineer I am a Senior Backend Software Engineer who currently works with Python, Flask, AWS, and PostgreSQL. In past roles I have operated broadly and got my start very full stack, with varied roles that have included SQL/ETL work, VueJS, C#, and whatever else they could throw at me. In my free time my current interests are Golang and getting into more advanced database topics and I am a paid freelance writer for tech and database companies. ## Responses 11 Markdown supported · ⌘↵ to post [Andrew Baisden](https://hashnode.com/@andrewbaisden) [Aug 8, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62f0dbbbe3a3793580e058fb) Wow so inspiring that was a really enjoyable read thanks for sharing your story [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK). [Abim Nwachi](https://hashnode.com/@Abimbolan) [Aug 1, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62e78105430bd1d04a846133) I can so relate with all the emotions you went through because I am currently going through same. When I decided to switch career to tech from a zero tech background, I expected toughness but not on this level. I started from the very basic 'Intro to Programming' on Kaggle. Then I came across ALX Software Engineering Programme which I'll be starting in a few days. I joined a WhatsApp group of fellow applicants waiting to start the program and it has been a rollercoaster of emotions since then. It is the first tech related group I've ever being in and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. But I am sticking with my decision to become a Software Engineer. I just created an account here to document my journey. Infact, this is the second article I am reading here and I say thank you for sharing your experience, it proves my anxiety and overwhelm is not peculiar to me. Now I know I am not alone and have an idea what to expect. [Peter C. Okereke](https://hashnode.com/@PeterCO) [Mar 16, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62e78105430bd1d04a846133#reply-64136a1ba22636ad25b26c7e) Yeah, the overwhelming feeling is really felt everywhere, tbh. How's the ALX journey going so far? I enrolled last year but dropped out due to much stress and plethora of unrealistic deadlines to meet. [Niki T.](https://hashnode.com/@nikit) [Jul 25, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62de98388730728f62e8b362) Such an inspiring article, thank you! ❤️ I'm in the phase where I already know the basics of programming, but thinking about the infinite options to improve just makes me dizzy. It really eased my mind that you highlighted "knowledge isn't going anywhere". There's no perfect, ultimate solution. I just need to keep going without panicking!😊 [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) [Jul 26, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62de98388730728f62e8b362#reply-62e04c1838585e9ea5176b3b) I also try to think of what I would tell a friend when my thoughts just spiral, like if a friend told me all they are trying to do is learn something new and better themselves and they feel terrible, like that's awful! No one should ever feel bad just for trying to learn something. When I think of how unreasonable it is to give ourselves a hard time for doing something positive it makes it hard to entertain the thoughts (although at this point after doing this many years, it happens more and more rarely lol) [Niki T.](https://hashnode.com/@nikit) [Jul 26, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62de98388730728f62e8b362#reply-62e04fa738585e9ea5176ba2) [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) It's a great idea to imagine ourselves as a friend. 😁 The same way you tried to say positive things against your negative thoughts. [Benjamin Semah](https://hashnode.com/@benjaminSemah) [Jul 24, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dd29ad0da9857574b2354d) This is a beautiful and practical piece of writing. Thank you for writing and sharing it. [Peter C. Okereke](https://hashnode.com/@PeterCO) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc7b84b12ca5754f6a5420) Wow, really insightful piece. For the procrastination part, that is indeed true with me. I did that for as long as I did (on a sub-conscious level) where I kept telling myself that once I get a laptop, I'll learn coding. That was until few days back, when I came across @TreciaKS blog here on Hashnode that inspired me back to code. And as for the Stack Overflow part, I stopped asking questions there. Rather copy code and ask those questions on Twitter instead. [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) [Jul 24, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc7b84b12ca5754f6a5420#reply-62dda827b12ca5754f6a7883) Ha you make a great point about twitter! It is sad honestly that StackOverflow is so nasty people don't even want to use the site for its intended purpose. It is definitely valid to want a laptop although I realize, I'm with you! I got started doing mobile apps on my phone learning to code before I'd go to sleep [Peter C. Okereke](https://hashnode.com/@PeterCO) [Mar 16, 2023](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc7b84b12ca5754f6a5420#reply-6413694ca22636ad25b26c59) [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) thanks for your response. Just seeing it now...oops it's been a while on Hashnode. Can we connect on Twitter or LinkedIn? Thanks [Cess](https://hashnode.com/@Cesscode) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc4f3eb12ca5754f6a4ea3) Thanks for sharing [Klesta L](https://hashnode.com/@klezi) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc2d9eb12ca5754f6a4836) This article came at a good time. Currently feeling overwhelmed with how much I'm doing and learning. I knew I had to take a rest but felt like I would miss out on time if I did. I need to slow down a bit for my health! [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dc2d9eb12ca5754f6a4836#reply-62dc67c6b12ca5754f6a5212) For your health and also for your understanding! There is a reason in school we have different assignments for different grades in school. You have to start from where you are, which in my case meant going slower or using more basic materials than I expected to be using sometimes because otherwise it would have just gone straight over my head and I would have been getting zero traction. I'm sorry you currently are going through the overwhelming part but it does get better [Rafael B. Pires](https://hashnode.com/@bpires) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dbd3ee38759e6b4982a343) I saw myself in so many aspects of your article! Thank you so much for writing it and sharing your perspective on you journey ✨ [The Overaged Developer](https://hashnode.com/@TheOveragedDeveloper) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dbc38838759e6b49829f9f) Awesome article, [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) ! It does feel like there's too much to learn, as a beginner, and all the different advice on what one should be focusing on just makes matters worse. I figured it would be better if I chose a particular technology and followed through with it, in order to see some progress. Otherwise, trying different things at the same time would definitely leave me confused, with nothing to show for my effort. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. [JTK](https://hashnode.com/@heyJTK) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dbc38838759e6b49829f9f#reply-62dc06f40da9857574b20c7d) I think that's honestly a fair conclusion! [Nik](https://hashnode.com/@Politjava) [Jul 23, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62dbaf12cf7a8a6d54f068f0) Thank you! This makes me think about my own path. Many of the things you mentioned I experienced myself. Glad to notice that we are not alone! [Eleftheria Batsou](https://hashnode.com/@eleftheriabatsou) [Jul 22, 2022](https://hashnode.com/posts/the-emotional-gauntlet-of-learning-to-code/62d9d65359f0dc59d51f14e1/comment/62da6433e3738c59b0b7ad82) Thank you for writing this, it was also a reminder of how I started my career.... :)