Relearning Tech with an Infant on My Lap — A Developer Mom’s Restart

There was a time when I could debug a production issue with one hand and write clean, modular code with the other. I was confident, curious, and constantly learning.

Then life shifted.

Sleep became a luxury. Time became fragmented. Confidence? It started to shrink quietly. Somewhere between feeding schedules, fractured sleep, and Zoom meetings — I began to question if I still “belonged” in tech.

Hi, I’m Shikha Mishra — a senior backend developer with 7 years of experience in building APIs, working with NodeJS, ReactJS, AWS, and juggling deadlines in service-based as well as product-based startup environments. But lately, I feel more like a beginner than a senior.

And that’s okay.

Because I’ve decided to hit restart.
Not from scratch, but from experience

**

The Developer, Then the Mom — and Now Both**

Before motherhood, my career was straightforward — climb the ladder, chase the next role, build cool things, repeat. I even co-founded a service-based startup in 2020, where I handled hiring, interviews, social media, proposals, and code. It was chaotic and fulfilling.

But motherhood changed the narrative.

When I had my daughter, Rudrika, everything slowed down — except the world around me. Tech evolved, companies grew, tools updated, and I... paused.

Now that I’m back, I’m not just trying to “catch up.”
I’m trying to rediscover myself — not just as a developer, but as a woman with a voice, experience, and purpose.

Why This Restart Matters (to Me)

Because even with 7 years of experience:

• I still hesitate to speak in meetings sometimes

• I second-guess if I “know enough”

• I feel like I should’ve done more, built more, learned more

But what I’ve realized is:

Growth doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be consistent.

And so, I’m choosing to show up quietly, honestly, and publicly — through this blog.

Why I’m Writing My Way Through Tech

I’ve always loved writing. It helps me think better.
And in a world of AI, noise, and perfectionism — writing has become my way of slowing down and understanding things deeply.

This blog is not about being a tech influencer or building a million followers.
It’s about accountability, reflection, and contribution.

Here’s what you can expect from me:

• Simple breakdowns of backend concepts and system design

• Hands-on NodeJS tutorials and real-world mistakes

• Lessons from my tech break, maternity leave, and returning to work

• Honest reflections on confidence, career growth, and upskilling

• What I’m learning weekly (because I’m still learning!)

What I’m Focusing on Next

For now, my focus areas are:

• System Design: Understanding not just the what, but the why

• AWS and DevOps Basics: So I don’t feel lost in infra conversations

• JavaScript + NodeJS Internals: Going back to the roots

• CI/CD, Testing, and Developer Workflow

My goal isn’t to become “the best.”
My goal is to know what I’m doing and why — and maybe help someone else feel less alone in their journey.

If You’re Also a Developer Restarting…

Maybe you’re returning from a break. Or feeling stagnant. Or overwhelmed by the pace of tech.
Maybe you're just tired of pretending to be passionate when you’re actually confused or exhausted.

I see you.
And this space is for us.

Let’s normalize restarting. Let’s normalize learning slowly.
Let’s write, share, and grow — even if it's 30 minutes a day, with a baby by our side and a coffee gone cold on the table.

Thanks for being here.
This is my restart — not the end of the old me, but the beginning of a version that’s more intentional, more honest, and more grounded.

If this resonated, share your story in the comments.
Or just follow along as I figure mine out.

—
Shikha Mishra
Senior Full-Stack Developer | Blogging My Way Through Tech