If someone told me five years ago that I’d be writing code for websites and apps, I would’ve laughed and said, “Me? I can barely update my phone.”
Back then, I didn’t even know what HTML stood for (I still kind of don’t — kidding). What I did know was that I wanted to learn something useful. Something that could actually help me earn a living without spending four years at a university I couldn’t afford.
So I decided to teach myself how to code. And no, I wasn’t some math genius or tech wizard. I was just a curious person with internet access and a stubborn brain.
Here’s how I did it — and how you can, too.
1. Google Was My Best Friend
I started the way most people do: typing “how to learn coding” into Google.
At first, I got overwhelmed. There were too many languages. Too many courses. Some were free, some cost money I didn’t have. But after digging around, I found a few free websites that were perfect for beginners:
- freeCodeCamp.org
- Khan Academy
- W3Schools
- YouTube (yes, really)
I started slow — just 20 or 30 minutes a day. Sometimes I understood it. Sometimes it felt like reading alien language. But I kept going.
2. I Picked One Language and Stuck With It
There’s a huge mistake beginners make — they try to learn everything at once.
I did that too. I jumped from HTML to Python to JavaScript and back again. My brain nearly exploded.
So, I picked one language to stick with. For me, it was HTML and CSS, because I wanted to build websites. They were easier to understand, and I could see results fast. That made me feel good and kept me motivated.
After that, I moved on to JavaScript — which was like giving life to my web pages. And later on, I dabbled in Python, which is super useful for automation and other cool stuff.
3. I Built Useless (But Fun) Stuff First
Here’s the thing: your first projects will probably be bad. That’s fine.
I made a calculator that didn’t calculate anything. A to-do list app that forgot my tasks. A quiz that gave you the wrong answer even if you were right.
But I made them, and each project taught me something new. That’s the point.
The goal isn’t to make something amazing at first. It’s to learn by doing.
4. I Made Mistakes — So Many Mistakes
Let me tell you something important: you will break stuff.
Your code won’t run. You’ll forget semicolons. You’ll spend hours trying to fix one bug, only to realize you were missing a bracket.
I made all those mistakes and more. But every time something broke, I searched the error on Google, found an answer (sometimes after crying), and fixed it. That’s when the real learning happened.
5. I Found People Who Were Also Learning
Learning alone gets boring fast. So I joined online communities — Discord groups, Reddit forums, and coding groups on Facebook.
There were people like me, just starting out. We helped each other. Shared tutorials. Laughed about bugs. Complained about JavaScript.
Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone makes a huge difference.
6. I Took Breaks, But I Didn’t Quit
There were weeks I didn’t code at all. I got busy, got stuck, got frustrated.
But I always came back. Even when it felt hard. Even when I didn’t feel smart enough.
The secret wasn’t that I was great at coding — it was that I didn’t give up on it.
7. I Started Earning — Slowly, Then Steadily
After a few months, I had some skills. I wasn’t a professional, but I could build basic websites and fix simple problems.
So I tried freelancing. I joined Fiverr and Upwork. My first job? A $10 gig to fix someone’s website. It took me 3 hours. I earned enough for coffee.
But that small win gave me confidence. I kept going. Got better. Got faster. Started charging more.
Today, I earn more than I ever imagined — and I still don’t have a computer science degree.
What I Learned
- You don’t need a degree, but you do need patience.
- Start small. One language. One project. One bug at a time.
- Messing up is part of the process.
- Building is better than just watching tutorials.
- Find your people. Communities help.
- Be okay with being a beginner.
Final Thoughts
Learning to code changed my life. It gave me freedom, new skills, and even a career.
I didn’t need to go back to school or spend a ton of money. I just needed curiosity, time, and Wi-Fi.
So if you’re sitting there wondering if you can do it too — yes, you can.
You just have to start. Even if your first project is a useless calculator like mine.
P.S. Want my favorite free coding tools and websites? Drop a comment, and I’ll send you my full list. No login. No spam. Just helpful stuff.
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