Many developers carry the same quiet fear:
"I started too late."
"I’m not technical enough."
"Everyone else seems way ahead."
I get it. I used to think that too.
I didn’t grow up building websites at 12 or rewriting the family computer at 15. In fact, I actively avoided coding because I thought it was “for geniuses.” When I finally rediscovered it after university, I felt like an outsider walking into a world already moving at full speed.
But that’s exactly why I grew faster the second time around: because I chose it.
Curiosity Beats Early Talent
When you come back to coding out of genuine curiosity, not because it’s part of a degree, not because someone expects it...you bring something far more powerful: purpose.
You’re no longer learning to pass exams. You’re learning to build things that matter to you. That shift changes everything.
Curiosity fuels persistence. And persistence, not talent, is what builds great developers.
Learning Later Can Be Your Advantage
Rediscovering code later in life often gives you a deeper foundation:
- You value progress over perfection.
- You know how to learn efficiently (because you’ve struggled before).
- You have context from other fields — design, music, psychology, whatever — that makes your work more creative.
Those experiences don’t make you less of a developer. They make you a more complete one.
Real Growth Is Driven by Choice
Growth in tech isn’t about who started first, it’s about who keeps showing up. The best developers I know didn’t start early. They started again. After burnout. After switching careers. After realizing they missed creating.
If that’s you:welcome back. You’re right on time!
Reflect
When was the last time you felt that spark again? That moment when something finally worked and you thought: “Wait… this is actually fun.”
Hold onto that. That’s what will take you further than any early start ever could.
If this resonated with you, share your story: when did your curiosity return?
Photo by Fotis Fotopoulos on Unsplash
Top comments (9)
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I didn't touch any code until my 30s and didn't get my first engineering job until I was 40. I do feel the desire to "catch up" even though there is no way to make up for that lost time. I just have to keep putting in the work and bringing my unique perspective to the job.
Do you have any suggestions for wrangling imposter syndrome or learning to not compare yourself to others with more experience? Those are big struggles for me.
Absolutely, that is the right mindset Lisa! Each one of us has their unique strengths and a room full of coding prodigies...not likely to achieve the best results.
And that's a great question! Imposter syndrome can really hold us back and honestly I've had issues with it a lot in the past. It still comes back every now and then, but I've learned to manage it. First, by realizing senior developers don't know everything by heart but just solved enough problems to be good at their job (I've seen devs with 10+ years of experience looking up if it's splice or slice). Second, by realizing my own strengths and what I have to offer. Finally, by keeping a list of my achievements and often looking back at it. This makes me realize that I've come pretty far and that I'm actually doing okay.
I hope this helps Lisa and feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and DM me if you have any questions or need advice! Would be glad to help you further.
linkedin.com/in/timlorent/?locale=...
Great perspective, Tim. As someone who transitioned into coding in my mid-30s without a tech background, I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome. But posts like this are an important reminder that my non-traditional path isn't a weakness, it's brought diverse problem-solving skills and perspectives that make me a stronger team member.
Thank you @asasmith , I really appreciate it! And respect for changing careers, that takes a lot of guts. I see on your profile you used to build houses, I'm always so envious of people who are able to build things with their own hands. I once built a record cabinet with my dad and that was so rewarding. Anyways, I'm getting off-topic.
Absolutely agree on a non-traditional path bringing value. I've been in this industry for 8 years and I've seen more people with a non-technical background than with. Anything from designers to psychologists, botanists, and teachers. You deliver more value than you think!
If at any point the imposter syndrome takes the upper hand, feel free to DM me on LinkedIn and reach out for some career advice or support, no strings attached: linkedin.com/in/timlorent/?locale=...
Keep coding!
I started coding again today after I read this. It's been about a year.
Imposter syndrome was beginning to set in, but I still got it. Once you have established certain fundamentals, all you need to do is stay current with the tech, read documentation, and consult Stack Overflow and Google on anything that isn't clear.
Am I right?
Or am I right?
I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.
Thanks Tim!
Hey @hendrix , welcome back to the wonderful world of coding! Why has it been a year, if I may ask?
I hope you're enjoying it again. And you're absolutely right! It's like muscle memory, but for our brains. Using AI is powerful as well, but only if you treat it as a senior developer assistant who sometimes says silly things (instead of outsourcing all your thinking to it).
Keep coding Arnold, I'm sure you'll do great! If at any moment you are struggling with something or need advice, feel free to DM me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timlorent/?locale=.... I also have a 'Free Developer Growth Kit' which might be useful: timlorent.gumroad.com/l/developer-....
Hi Tim,
I was working at a bank in Canada until the end of last year. I have since moved back home to Kenya and decided to pivot into agriculture. After reading your post, I got inspired to build our website instead of purchasing one.
Well said about AI. I didn't mention it, but you knew what I meant when I said staying current with the tech, haha. I share your view, by the way. I love the convenience and efficiency it provides, but knowing its limitations makes it better.
Yes, I will keep coding! I will also check out the resources you linked. I appreciate it!
Wow, that is fantastic to hear that this post inspired you! I like it a lot. Have a lot of fun and success with building your website, would love to see the result if you want to connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timlorent/?locale=...
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