From Blank File… to Breakthrough
I started from scratch. Literally. A blank file. A blinking cursor. And a mountain of ambition.
“If I can learn how the best of the best refactor a mortgage calculator, that’s the level I want to reach.”
I wanted to understand systems, structure, and problem-solving like a senior developer. This was my springboard — the key to performing smarter, solving problems faster, and thinking at a higher level.
Learning from a Mentor I Could Ask Anything
I turned to my mentor — ChatGPT — and asked how to restructure my code professionally.
The advice: Break the monolithic main.py into small, purpose-driven files, then import them into app.py.
I implemented it immediately. Instantly, my code looked cleaner, more professional, and structured. No more endless scrolling through spaghetti code.
By the end of the day, I had six to seven files:constants, utils, ui_components, homepayai_api…
I had finally structured my code like a pro. And I learned more in that one day than weeks of trial and error before.
The AI API Challenge
Next came integrating an AI API — not a shiny gimmick, but a truly valuable tool for the user.
I dove into videos, tutorials, and GPT advice. Then I built it by hand. Every line typed. Every function questioned:
- “What does this do?”
- “.encode(), what exactly is happening here?”
Sloppy AI code would teach me nothing. Writing it myself — line by line, guided by GPT — was how real learning happened.
Hitting Emotional Walls
Testing began. Pytest for Python. Streamlit previews. Everything seemed ready… until my packages — Plotly and NumPy — stopped working. My preview froze.
The culprit? A Replit platform update. Submitting a fix? Locked behind a premium paywall.
How does a platform improve if users can’t suggest fixes without paying?
I pivoted. I discovered Altair and refactored my graphs. Progress returned.
But then came the next wall: feeling slow, frustrated, and stuck.
A month into this project, I was:
- Learning AI integration
- Refactoring code
- Understanding new structures
Yet I questioned myself: “Am I really learning? Am I moving fast enough? Does this even matter?”
Finding a Path Forward
I asked GPT for guidance. The advice was transformational:
- Learning log: Track progress so small wins aren’t forgotten. ✅
- Explain, Predict, Run, Reflect cycle: Predict each line → Run → Compare → Internalize.
- Refactor from scratch: Build tiny pieces repeatedly to understand structure deeply.
- Reframes:
- “Deliberate practice beats speed.” Understanding matters more than output.
- “Slow is good.” Hours spent today = minutes in six months. Front-load the effort.
These reframes became my compass through the emotional fog.
Taking the Leap: Frontend + Backend
Today, we discussed UX and UI improvements for HomePay. GPT suggested a proper setup:
- Backend: Python
- Frontend: JavaScript
At first, I hesitated. Learning a new language mid-project?
Then I realized:
- My app would improve
- My coding skills would skyrocket
- Users would get real value
- Future projects would benefit
So I dove in. Every line typed, every function questioned, comparing Python to JavaScript, seeing patterns emerge, understanding interactions — building real competence.
Current Focus
Right now, I’m:
- Refactoring and improving code
- Building project structure and file tree
- Learning step by step, line by line
It’s slow. Sometimes frustrating. But it’s solid progress. Every time I refactor, the app gets better — and so do I.
Front-load the struggle today so your future self can move faster, smarter, stronger.
The Takeaway
Real mastery isn’t about speed.
It’s about understanding. Persistence. And building the foundations your future self will thank you for.
Quick Tip for Readers
Start from scratch. Ask questions. Build slowly, deliberately, consistently. Your future self will thank you.