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My Frontend Journey Part 1

Hmm… so I did a thing, lol.

This year, I made a decision to finish anything I started and that’s when the bright idea of joining a bootcamp one random week in February was born.

I came across ALX Africa through a mutual friend’s page and got curious about how she managed to merge software engineering with all her other jobs. That was my ginger, the final nudge to listen to the voice in my head that’s been screaming “Frontend!” for years.

The Backstory

I already had a design background from Architecture to Graphic Design and I have always been drawn to anything design or Art related they fascinate me.

I started researching what I could do next to level up my skills and stay relevant in today’s world. Then it hit me, add a little code, baby!

When I made the first payment, I knew my fate was sealed. My pact with myself was in motion.

The Waiting Game

The course didn’t start until March (why the suspense though? 😂).

When the program finally began, we had to go through a phase called Professional Foundations: basically a prep stage designed to help you think and act like a developer before touching any code.

Honestly, if they hadn’t made it compulsory and placed it first, I probably would’ve skipped it. 😂

At first, I thought it was unnecessary because every other course I had taken just threw you straight into coding. But then I discovered something called the Daily 3, and that’s when things got interesting.

My favorite part was the Morning Pages: a journaling exercise where you write down whatever comes to mind until you fill three pages. No structure, no judgment, just pure brain dump. It felt weird and confusing at first, but eventually, it became one of my favorite habits. It helped me clear my head and start each day with focus.

There were two other parts to the Daily 3:

• Movement: anything from a walk, a short workout, or even a dance session (yes, dancing counts 💃🏽).
• Meditation: relaxing your body, focusing on your breathing, and just being present.

It sounds like yoga, but it’s deeper than that. I highly recommend trying it, especially in the morning or before bed, your body will thank you later. 💆🏽‍♀️

Doing Hard Things

Now, ALX’s motto is “Do Hard Things,” and oh boy, did I do hard things.

From racing against submission deadlines to managing group projects and ensuring we all turned things in on time (because missing deadlines could slash 25%- 50% off your score 😭).

Let’s not forget, I was doing all this while working a 9–5 and running a private business.

So yeah, you really have no excuse not to chase your dreams and strike those goals off your checklist. Do it now. Do it scared. You will feel good in the end. All you want in life is always on the other side of fear.

To Be Continued…

That was just the beginning. The real fun (and chaos) started once we began coding or did it.

Part 2 coming soon! 🚀