When Did You Start Feeling Like a Competent Developer?

Honestly, you might find that this feeling fades after a while. I noticed it shifting for me as I completed various projects. I think that even senior developers look things up; it’s just a part of the process. Each specialty has its own challenges—someone who excels at one area doesn’t have to be a whiz at everything.

You'll likely stop feeling like an impostor once you accept that programming is inherently challenging. Even when you’re Googling things, it’s tough to navigate the design decisions made by others while still pushing through to finish your projects.

I’ve been coding for over 20 years, and I still have those feelings now and then. It's a mix of learning and experience that gradually helps alleviate it. At the end of the day, acknowledging that it’s okay to not know everything helps a lot.

You know, I spent my first few years feeling very unsure of myself too. But I'd recommend setting small, achievable goals. Shipping small projects can really boost your confidence, and it helps to break down complex problems into manageable bits.

For me, it got better when I built something on my own that I found really cool. Also, once I transitioned into a job, I just decided to accept that it’s okay to not know everything and focus on doing my job.