I’ve been studying and creating with basic HTML and CSS for a while now, but I feel like I don’t know much.
I just finished a project that was somewhat challenging, where I learned a lot of new concepts. But when I start my next project, it feels like I forget a lot of the basics and have to look over my previous work or read documents to recall what I did just the day before.
I wouldn’t say I’m stuck in tutorial hell, since I don’t follow coding videos. I focus on making my own small projects or use frontend mentor. (I don’t check others’ code until I’ve finished my own project). I only search for specific elements or features when I’m really stuck.
Does this feeling go away? I feel kind of dumb haha. As soon as I think I understand something, it seems to vanish before I code again. It’s frustrating and makes me doubt if this is the right field for me.
It’s my job, and I still feel dumb sometimes. Our top developer has the same feelings. At some point, you stop falling into those beginner traps.
Do I know all the built-in methods? No way. Do I mix up class and id in CSS? Definitely. But that’s not an issue. That’s what the docs are for.
If you bring something new to your project, you’re making progress.
Being a developer is a lot more than just the syntax. I think being able to plan out the steps for a feature or debug effectively are the key skills. If you have a good plan, the tools are available, and you just need to learn how to use them.
I’ve been exploring game development on the side lately. Compared to web dev, it feels completely different. I feel like a beginner all over again. It’s filled with math and ideas that don’t translate well to web development. But with good planning and practice, I’m managing to make progress that I feel satisfied with. Just keep going!
@Lior
Practice helps a lot. I started coding back in 1974, and I still feel overwhelmed sometimes. My advice is to take breaks and return refreshed. What seemed impossible can appear clearer later.
Micah said: @Lior
Thanks for this. I guess the feeling of not knowing never really goes away, huh
I often feel like I’m cheating if I look something up. Do you ever feel that way?
That’s just imposter syndrome. I’ve only been at this for about a year, and when I review my own code, I’m often left wondering what it means. I keep going over it until it makes sense.
This year, I’ve realized it’s impossible to learn everything all at once. It’s not about memorizing but rather solving problems and experimenting with data.
Every time I learn something new, it feels overwhelming… But I just stay focused, write some code, read the docs, and keep at it until it makes sense. Some things take a short time, others a whole afternoon, or sometimes weeks.
From what others are saying here, it seems this feeling persists even years down the line.
@Lior
What game development concepts do you find challenging?
I think many web developers might need to revisit high school math, especially for vectors. Generally, do you feel that there isn’t much overlap with basic software skills?
it feels like I’ve forgotten a lot of basic stuff and have to study my previous code or documents to understand what I did just yesterday.
That’s normal. I’ve had to double-check even simple tags for linking CSS files.
It’s common to forget basic CSS and HTML properties too, as you don’t need to remember everything. Things don’t just click; instead, it’s a process that takes time and happens gradually. Learning is a journey that doesn’t happen overnight.
I feel kind of dumb haha. It’s like I understand something, but it disappears before I can code again.
Imposter syndrome is common among developers. I know many who are considered talented but still think they’re below average.
My advice is to never feel ashamed of looking at documentation when you forget something. It’s a natural part of our learning.
Back in 1998, I was in college, and my friends and I started an online zine. I did basic HTML but didn’t know much. I wanted to include a table in my article and asked a friend on AOL Instant Messenger to help. He told me to learn how to do it myself. So I did, and I’ve been learning HTML ever since. Now I run my own business and everything.
The key is to find something you want to build and just create it. All of HTML and CSS is free and open source. You’ll learn by doing.
And yes, I still look things up daily. Not HTML, but CSS, JavaScript, and server-side stuff. I don’t sit down for tutorials or read books. I just start building and search for what I don’t know, just like you’re doing. I retain some things but others I revisit multiple times.
@Oak
I totally agree about the value of personal projects. I just wrapped up a single-page mini website (similar to linktree or carrd) using features I’ve never tried before, and it was very motivating. I managed to learn a ton and have fun too.
Edit: I’m considering starting a bigger project, like a productivity/study app or website based on my ideas.
@Micah
A couple of years into my journey, I approached my college newspaper (I was a journalism student) and proposed to build and manage a site for cataloging local restaurants and entertainment venues. I did it and it was a bold move on my part, but I learned so much through that process!
In my first message, I wanted to clarify that it doesn’t just click as in knowing everything, but rather, it clicks when you realize you know how to figure things out. You’ll never know it all, but your confidence will gradually grow and you’ll become more willing to try new things.
I’m nearing 20 years in this field… and I know more now that I don’t know than I did at the beginning. This industry is always changing, and if you let the amount of knowledge out there overwhelm you, you’ll always feel like you’re not enough.
Regarding looking things up… Let’s be real, none of us memorize everything. You naturally remember more the longer you’re in this field, but the main skill is knowing how to quickly find reference materials. We’ve all googled the same queries countless times, and we remember which links have the information we need. I can search for specific code terms and find what I need way faster than digging through previous projects.
And let’s not forget tools like ChatGPT or copilot—they’re fantastic resources when used to quickly find syntax rather than figuring out logic.
What’s crucial is knowing what to search for and how to look it up. And that comes from practice. You’ll encounter roadblocks, feel you’re onto something, and then find bugs that reset your progress. These challenges are the experiences that build your understanding. Everything else—just look it up when you need it.
@Quinlan
This gives me some comfort. I appreciate you taking the time to share.
I mentioned in another comment that I’m skilled at finding solutions and integrating them into my projects. It sometimes feels like cheating, but I guess I’ll work through that mentality.
I’ve started using ChatGPT every now and then for what you suggested, and I agree—it can be really effective if applied wisely.
You’re on the right track by building your own projects. When you create, you’ll need to grasp various concepts, and at some point, it all just clicks into place.
I remember when I struggled to understand prototypes and asynchronous JavaScript. Initially, it felt confusing, but after working through it, piece by piece, I started to see how everything fit together.