About moving on

Hard decisions and moving into new chapters

Three years ago, I didn’t know how to write a single line of code. It was a whole new universe to me, and I looked to programming like a child, dreaming of one day conquering the art of coding. The black terminal window, the small white letters indicating computer commands and system information, a code editor, all of this was very intimidating for me.

I still remember the first time I created a HTML element and applied CSS to it, and then displayed on a webpage. It was an amazing feeling, hard to describe. At the book The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P.Brooks, the author talks about the 5 reasons that makes a human enjoy programming:

• The satisfaction of build something

• Create something useful for other people

• The fascination of build something complex

• The constant learning we have

• Flexibility to work and create on a manageble environment

Note that the majority of reasons are related to the act of build something, feel the owner of the code or application, the satisfaction of being a creator.

Thinking now, I guess this was the reason I was attracted to programming in the first place. In my short life until then, I’ve never found a activity that fullfilled me, gave me a sense of purpose. At the 20 something’s age, we usually rely on our jobs and carreer to pursuit our great life purpose. It was only when I printed that simple HTML element on that page and made it move from one side to another with a CSS animation that a fire sparked inside me.

Since then, I’ve been working as a developer and studying in my free time. Not only studying things related to my workday job but topics related to computer and programming in general, which intrigue me and make me fall in love with this universe even more. It amazes me the diversity and plurality of existing topics, the deepness and complexity of each one of them. There are topics for more than a life, for sure, so it’s impossible to be bored with it.

During my journey until now I’ve always prioritize learning at any cost. I changed city to pursuit my first job as a developer, against my family’s will. Learned a lot and made some good friends, then came back to my city and worked on a couple of different companies, always absorving knowledge, being aware of multiple technologies, codebases and business logics. And of course, meeting a lot of good people in the way.

Three years later, here we are, more mature and experienced. I’m now used to the terminal black window, with the code editor, with a lot of knowledge I’ve never imagined being able to gather when I first started. Sometimes I wonder if that spark of joy, that magical feeling of programming still lives in me. And the answer is yes: when I stop to really think about it, I’m amazed with what I can do with programming and coding. The hard part is to stop to think, give a break from the bugs to reflect, being thankful and enjoy the journey.

I fell very happy and thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had in my life until now. To each person and each place that opened their doors so I could learn, contribute and teach. Every single place I’ve been was amazing, full of awesome people that made me evolve as a person and as a professional. I was lucky.

As much as we’re thankful for the people and places we work at, sometimes life present us with opportunities we can’t refuse. Even if we are scared to take the next step, even if we think we are not ready, even if we are confortable at the current place. This month, one of these opportunities were given to me.

At first I was very happy and excited. But then, I suddenly felt sad for leaving a place I really enjoyed, leaving people I wish I’ve met better behind, leaving fond memories and a stable future. And also, a fear of not meeting expectations, changing a very confortable and friendly place for a uncertain environment, doubting my own capacities, all this came through my mind.

So, I just did what I always do and accepted that opportunity. This mindset of always keep moving, do things that scares me, accepted challenges I’m not sure I’m ready, learn what I have to learn, is what brought me here in the first place. It’s what opened many door to me, made me develop every day. I left behind all these second thoughts and I feel ready to jump onto this new challenge ahead of me.

Always moving on, grateful for everything behind and excited for everything ahead.

Me of three years ago didn’t imagine those simple lines of code would start a journey which is just beginning. I’m very happy and excited with the learnings, experiences and people that will come over the next few years. Cheers 🥳