How I improved as a front-end developer

Too long to read

• Make sure you grasp the basics, and apply them
• Be patient and stay curious
• Dare to try things outside your comfort zone
• Stay humble and learn from others

For a long time, I felt like I was falling behind in the ever-changing world of front-end development. New frameworks and techniques kept appearing, while I clung to the familiar. I got things done, but the nagging feeling stayed: I could do better. Looking back, these are the lessons that made me a better front-end developer.

Make sure you grasp the basics, and apply them

Before you venture outside your comfort zone, you need solid ground to stand on. Understand semantic HTML, how CSS actually works without a framework on top, and why accessibility matters. Look inside frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation to see how they are built. That knowledge pays off every time you move on to something more advanced.

Be patient and stay curious

Progress takes time, and I often lacked the patience to see it through. Instead of short bursts of enthusiasm, I've learned to keep a steady, long-term curiosity. It has taken me much further.

Dare to try things outside your comfort zone

Clichés, maybe, but true. Playing it safe with my go-to frameworks and the usual approaches held me back. In 2020 I got the chance to work on a React-based search application alongside more experienced developers, and I learned a lot just from watching them work. Later I took a JavaScript course. It was tough at first, but it sparked a real interest in JavaScript.

Around the same time I had my eye on Gatsby. I didn't really understand it, so I just started building. A few months later I had connected a headless CMS, made custom animations with GSAP and picked up Tailwind. One small decision to try something new moved me further than years of playing it safe.

Stay humble and learn from others

Sport taught me to learn from the best. You try to bend it like Beckham or dribble like Messi, so why not bring the same mindset to work? Plenty of talented people share what they know online. If you have skilled colleagues or friends, ask for their feedback. Letting go of pride is what makes room to learn.