I almost quit coding three times. Here’s what kept me going.

Mitzie Hall
Feb 21
2 min read

Learning to code while juggling parenting, work, and life’s chaos can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. As a self-taught developer and parent of four, I’ve stared at error-filled screens at 2 AM, wondering if I’d ever “get it.” But here’s the truth: every developer — even the pros — hit a wall sometimes. The difference between giving up and pushing through? Tiny, intentional habits. Let me share what worked for me.

1. Break It Down with Micro-Goals

Problem: “Learn Python” or “Build an app” are too vague. They’re overwhelming, like trying to eat a whole cake in one bite.

Solution: Micro-goals.

Instead of:

“Master React this month” → “Learn one React hook daily.”
“Build a portfolio” → “Code the header section today.”

Why It Works: Small wins build momentum. Celebrate finishing a 30-minute tutorial or fixing a stubborn bug. Progress, not perfection.

2. Find Your Tribe

Problem: Coding alone feels isolating, especially when you’re stuck.

Solution: Join communities where others “get it”:

FreeCodeCamp’s forums: Ask questions without judgment.
CodeNewbie on Twitter/X: Share daily wins (even tiny ones).
Slack groups: Find a free Slack group for the coding language you chose. I still visit https://www.rubyonrails.link/ to this day!
Local meetups: Virtual or in-person — accountability matters.

My Hack: I kept a written journal with a “Today I Learned” section. Even small wins (e.g., “Finally understood flexbox!”) kept me going. The stickers may have helped as well.

3. Reward Yourself (Yes, Like a Toddler)

Problem: Coding burnout is real, especially after hours of debugging.

Solution: Gamify your learning:

Code for 1 hour → 15-minute Mario Kart race with the kids.
Finish a project → Family pizza night.

Why It Works: Rewards wire your brain to associate coding with joy, not stress. Including your family in the rewards makes them even sweeter!

4. Tools to Outsmart Overwhelm

Problem: Motivation fades when you’re disorganized.

Solution: Free tools to stay on track:

Habitica: Turn coding goals into a RPG game. Earn XP for finishing tasks! (Yes, I play RPGs too, but let’s not get into that right now)
Pomodoro Technique: Work in 25-minute sprints. Focus Keeper or TomatoTimer apps can help with this or use a simple egg timer.
The 20–20–20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to avoid eye strain. I have posters just for this purpose!

5. Embrace the “Why”

Problem: It’s easy to forget why you started.

Solution: Write your coding “why” on a sticky note:

“Land a remote job to spend more time with my kids.”
“Build tools that solve real problems.”

When motivation dips, revisit it. Move your sticky notes around or write new ones from time to time to keep them fresh.

Final Thoughts

Learning to code is a marathon, not a sprint. Some days, you’ll crush it. Other days, you’ll Google “how to center a div” for the 100th time — and that’s okay. Progress isn’t linear.

You’re not alone. Tag someone in the comments who needs this reminder, and share your own tips!