I've been coding for a while now. I've built projects, followed roadmaps, and I'm familiar with the syntax. Lately, though, I've hit a wall where I can create features but don't truly understand them. It's frustrating because I often find myself referencing old notes or using tools like ChatGPT just to get things done. Despite finishing various courses and projects, they all seem to blur together, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm stuck in a cycle: build, forget, rebuild, and repeat. This isn't burnout or typical beginner confusion; it's something in between. I'm searching for advice on whether this is a common phase in development, how to break out of it, and whether I should adjust my approach by revising, rebuilding, or focusing on fewer projects. Any insights or frameworks would be really appreciated!
1 Answer
It sounds like you're dealing with a common struggle known as imposter syndrome. Remember, even professional developers often find themselves googling for answers or struggling with the same concepts. Try thinking of your skills as a toolkit for solving problems rather than just memorizing syntax. Another tip: focus on understanding the fundamental concepts rather than getting bogged down in specific libraries or frameworks. That way, you'll have a deeper knowledge base to draw from when you tackle new projects.
But what if, during job interviews, they expect me to know everything perfectly? I worry that forgetting lines of code will make me seem unqualified.