Hi there,
If you’re reading this, chances are you already know what Pink Programming is all about – and I am so thankful that they have given me the opportunity to share my thoughts in writing with you. I will be using this little corner of the Pink blog to share some personal posts about my love for (and struggles with) tech and programming-related topics.
My name is Ashley, I love food, creating and learning new things. I’m the only person I know that can trip over oneself while standing still. I have a strange habit of using large knives on very small chopping boards, can’t boil rice without a rice cooker and will (with consent) pet dogs even though I am allergic to most of them.
Presently, I am pursuing my engineering degree in computer science full-time. I love technology, the rapid development, the complexity, the endless learning curve – but I have to admit that my relationship with tech hasn’t been without its downs.
The truth is, I really used to struggle with programming (well, to be perfectly honest, the struggle is still there) but I think my mental attitude towards it changed for the better. I used to take my struggle with code as a huge personal defeat, something just didn’t click and it bothered me to no end.
As some of you may know, programming is a lot like learning a new language and some people just have a special knack for it. Others, like myself, just have to stick to the routine of learning by doing – (even if it sometimes feels like ramming ones head in the wall for the 20th time).
When I first started university, I went in expecting to know and understand every concept I came across. Unfortunately, I didn’t live up to my expectations and at the same time I found myself wishing for someone to tell me that it was okay to not understand.
If any of the above actually ends up shedding some light on similar situations and feelings, whether they be relatable to you yourself, or anyone in your life – then I hope they help.
It wasn’t until years later that people began to admit that they were struggling, over and over – and I began to wonder: Why are people so unwilling to share their thoughts when they are struggling?
My first thought is that it may be a sensitive subject, but in my personal experience – hiding something away doesn’t make it magically disappear, it actually makes things worse. It is for this very reason that I want to share some of my thoughts and reflections with you all.
Oftentimes I feel that there is a gap in social media where people choose to only show the highlight reels to their life – there’s nothing wrong with that, there are platforms that are more or less dedicated to only show the “best sides” of life. I’d just like to think of my contribution as part of the bloopers reel instead, and maybe (just maybe) I might learn something from myself as well.
I have recently created an Instagram account to serve as an outlet for whatever I can’t fit in a blogging format. You are welcome to find me over at @this.ashley and for those of you on your own coding journey, (beginner, intermediate, advanced and anything in between) – I will soon be embarking on some interesting challenges, I hope you’ll join me.
Lastly, I would like to clarify that the posts I write contain my own personal style of writing. My thoughts do not necessarily reflect what Pink Programming stands for as an organisation and if anything I post here comes into conflict with any person or group of people, please reach out to me so that I can better educate myself about the world and how I address certain issues – thank you.
Now that I’ve covered most of the basics – I am looking forward to embarking on a journey of self-discovery with you all. If nothing else – at least I have flung some of my deepest feelings and thoughts out there onto the web. And there they shall remain.
Happy reading!