My First 6 Months in Web Development: Lessons I Wish I Knew Earlier

Introduction

I’ve been a web developer for 6 months now.
When I started, I thought it would be all about typing code and instantly seeing websites appear.
Reality? It was way harder — but also way more rewarding.

In this post, I’ll share my journey, the struggles, and the “aha” moments that shaped my learning.

Starting Out: Blank Screen, Big Dreams

Like every beginner, I opened my editor to a blinking cursor.
No idea what to write. Just curiosity and a ton of YouTube tutorials lined up.

Learning the Fundamentals

I first focused on the basics:

• How the web works

• HTML structure

• CSS for styling

It wasn’t glamorous, but it built the foundation.

HTML, CSS, and the First Wins

The first time I made a button change color on hover?
It felt magical.

<button class="btn">Click me</button>

.btn:hover {
  background: blue;
  color: white;
}

Those little wins gave me momentum.

The JavaScript Struggle

Then came JavaScript.
At first, it felt like trying to understand an alien language.

let x = 10;
let y = x;
x = 0;

console.log(y); // 10

When I realized y stayed 10 even though x changed, my brain broke.
But slowly, I learned how variables, objects, and functions worked.

Building Projects That Actually Taught Me

Tutorials were fine, but real progress came when I built my own projects:

• A to-do list app

• A weather app

• A personal portfolio site

Each one forced me to solve real problems and Google like crazy.

Mistakes I Made

• Spending weeks watching tutorials without writing code

• Overcomplicating projects instead of keeping them simple

• Comparing my progress to devs who had years of experience

What Finally Clicked

The shift happened when I realized:

• Coding is about problem-solving, not memorizing syntax

• Building projects matters more than watching tutorials

• Small, consistent wins beat random bursts of motivation

Review

Looking back, these 6 months taught me more than I expected.

If you’re starting your journey:

• Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

• Build as you learn

• Celebrate the small wins

Because those wins compound into confidence.