My First Steps into Coding

Why Coding?

I don’t know why I had this crazy idea, and honestly, I don’t know if I’ll see any results in the end—but I’m willing to try. Let’s see what happens!

Here’s the truth: my knowledge of coding is minimal. I’ve heard terms like Arduino and Python thrown around in conversations, but I couldn’t tell you what they mean. I always assumed coding was for computer geniuses, not someone like me—a chef who spends more time with recipes than technology.

But here I am, starting a blog and diving into the world of coding. It feels daunting. Scratch that—it feels terrifying. But I’ve realized that fear of the unknown is often a sign of growth, and this is my way of embracing that.

You might wonder why I’m doing this. Here are a few reasons:

• Robotics with my youngest son: My 8-year-old loves robots, and I want to help him explore that passion. Learning coding and mechatronics feels like a fun project we can tackle together.
• Future-proofing my skills: Tech isn’t going anywhere, and knowing how to code feels like a superpower in today’s world.
• Connecting with my teenager: My 15-year-old son is into gaming and dreams of becoming a graphic designer after high school. Learning coding might give us common ground—who knows, maybe he’ll end up teaching me!
• Challenging myself: I’ve always believed in lifelong learning, but this is the first time I’m stepping so far out of my comfort zone.

What’s My Plan?

Since I know so little, I’ve decided to start small. Here’s the roadmap I’ve come up with:

1. Learn Python
   Python is often called a “beginner-friendly” language. It’s used for everything from building websites to controlling robots. I’m starting with the book Automate the Boring Stuff with Python. It promises practical projects, which sounds perfect for someone like me who learns best by doing. I’m also taking a Udemy course called Python For Beginners by Edwin Diaz. Both resources look promising, but right now, everything still feels like gibberish to me.
2. Explore Arduino
   Arduino is all about making hardware do cool things. I’ve seen videos of people creating automated lights, little robots, and even musical instruments using Arduino. It looks complicated, but also very hands-on, which appeals to me.
3. Tackle Real Projects
   There’s no point in learning something unless you apply it. I’ll start with small projects, like making an LED blink, and eventually try building a simple robot with my youngest son.
4. Blog About the Journey
   This blog isn’t just a way to document my progress—it’s also a way to stay accountable. Sharing my successes (and inevitable failures) will keep me motivated, and maybe it’ll inspire others to start their own journeys.

My First Steps

Last week, my boyfriend surprised me with an Arduino kit. I didn’t even know where to start, but after some quick Googling, I learned a few things:

• Python: It’s a beginner-friendly programming language, but right now, I’m staring at code examples and feeling completely lost. Hopefully, the book and course will help it click soon.
• Arduino: You can use it to control hardware like lights and motors. It feels like magic when you see something physical respond to your code, but I haven’t even figured out how to make the magic happen yet.
• Resources: YouTube is a goldmine for visual learners. I’ve bookmarked a few beginner tutorials to help me along the way.

What’s Next?

This week, I’ll start working through Automate the Boring Stuff and watching the Udemy course lessons. I’ll also experiment with my Arduino kit, even if it’s just figuring out how to turn it on without breaking anything.

If you’re someone who’s thinking about learning coding but feels intimidated, let me tell you this: if I can do it, so can you. We’ll figure it out together, one line of code at a time.

Stay tuned!