Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: A Self-Taught Developer’s Journey
A self-taught developer's journey to overcoming impostor syndrome, learning to trust abilities, and accepting continuous growth.
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: A Self-Taught Developer’s Journey
Impostor syndrome is something many of us, especially in the tech industry, experience at some point in our careers. It’s the feeling that, despite achievements and progress, we don’t truly deserve our success, or that we’re “faking it” and will eventually be “found out.” It’s especially common among self-taught developers, as the path to becoming a professional can often feel like an uphill battle without the formal structure and validation that a traditional education provides. But through my own journey, I’ve learned that overcoming impostor syndrome is about changing your perspective, trusting your abilities, and accepting that growth is a continuous process.
I’m a self-taught developer. My story started seven years ago when I first opened a JavaScript tutorial on YouTube. With no formal background or degree in computer science, I relied solely on resources available online. I learned to code by experimenting, building projects, and finding solutions to the problems I encountered. At first, it felt daunting, like I was trying to navigate a field where I didn’t belong. But that feeling of being an outsider only pushed me to work harder, and soon I found myself working at a small company.
Working at that first job, I encountered challenges that tested my skills. The steep learning curve and the pressure to prove myself were difficult, but I embraced the challenge. I knew that I had to constantly improve, constantly push myself. After a year at that small company, I had the privilege of joining a multinational company, working with major clients and bigger projects. But even with this new opportunity, I still struggled with the idea that I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t formally trained; I had no degree. Was I just lucky? Did I really belong in the same room as my colleagues?
For me, the struggle with impostor syndrome was compounded by the fact that I felt like I had to work harder than everyone else just to prove my worth. I’d work late into the night, pushing myself to learn more, to understand more, to become better. I felt like I needed to give more than others to make up for the fact that I was self-taught. I didn’t take breaks, I didn’t pause to reflect on how far I had come. I was determined to keep proving myself, always working harder, never stopping.
But after almost seven years, I’ve come to realize that this mentality of "doing more" and "working harder" wasn’t sustainable. Yes, learning is vital, and yes, the drive to become a better developer is important. But I’ve learned that working relentlessly, without ever taking a step back, does more harm than good. I was setting myself up for burnout, losing sight of the bigger picture: the purpose of my work and the joy of programming.
Despite all of the hard work and challenges, I’ve also learned to embrace the journey. Even though I feel more confident in my skills today, I still love learning. Whether it’s diving deeper into JavaScript or exploring new frameworks, I continue to build projects in my free time, like web apps that help with my day-to-day life or things I can enjoy with my daughter. I understand now that growth as a developer doesn’t mean never stopping or being perfect—it means enjoying the process and knowing that it's okay not to know everything.
In my journey, I've come to learn that family should always come first. While my work is important, and I need it to provide for my loved ones, I also recognize the impact that stress from work can have on personal relationships. It's crucial to find a balance. The job will always be there, but moments with family are fleeting. No matter how much you love your work, you should never let it take away from the person you are at home. Being there for your family, having the time to enjoy life outside of work, is essential. The job is important, but it should never define you in such a way that it changes the way you show up when you come home.
The most important advice I can give is this: As long as you’re content with your growth and feel confident in the skills you’ve acquired, that’s what matters. Don’t let anyone’s opinion dictate your worth. People will always talk, and they’ll always have something to say. They will always wait to find out what your job title is so they can calculate the amount of respect to show you. But the truth is, their opinions don’t define you. The value you bring to your work and to your clients is what counts the most. It doesn’t matter what job title you hold or where you come from; your dedication, your passion, and your ability to continuously improve are what make you invaluable.
Impostor syndrome might never fully disappear, but it doesn’t have to control you. Own your journey, embrace your self-taught path, and remember that your worth isn’t defined by titles or formal qualifications. Keep learning, keep growing, and focus on what’s truly important: being the best version of yourself—for your career, your family, and your well-being.