Remembering why we code
A reminder that the best part of programming has always been the thrill of creating
When I started writing code, it wasn’t because of money, prestige, or even a career plan. I just loved building things. Especially things I could see come to life on a screen. Little mobile apps, simple websites, side projects that felt like magic the moment they worked. Hitting run and watching an idea appear in front of me was addictive.
I still remember the first time I managed to make a network request from an app. Until then, the code I wrote felt like it lived in its own little box. The moment it connected to the outside world, everything changed. Suddenly I could imagine multiplayer games, dynamic apps, live updates. It felt like a new universe opening in front of me.
Salary was never part of the decision to become a developer. At the time, programming wasn’t even that well paid. The startup boom and the big tech salaries came much later. For many of us it started with curiosity, joy, and the challenge of making something real.
Looking back, I realize how lucky we were. By coincidence, the industry exploded and we happened to be there, doing something we already loved, right when it became valuable. If things hadn’t gone that way, I honestly don’t know what I would be doing today.
I think it’s good to remember this sometimes. That what pulled us in at the beginning wasn’t the money or the hype. It was the thrill of creating something out of nothing. And that is still the best part. 🫶
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