What I Learned From Hacktoberfest

Imposter syndrome is something we all struggle with to one degree or another. Imposter syndrome is the fear of exposure as a fraud. If you’re anything like me you have felt like your work was not good enough to show. Or you weren’t far along enough in your journey as a developer to have much to contribute.

After learning about Hacktoberfest last year, I wanted to contribute. But I felt overwhelmed, and imposter syndrome began to take hold.

I told myself I was too inexperienced as a developer and I worried that my commits wouldn’t be worthwhile. Unfortunately, I let those fears get the better of me, and I didn’t even bother signing up.

This year I forced myself to set my fears aside, studied this post on Hacktoberfest, and I dove in. I’m going to share a little of what I worked on and the benefits of getting involved. Benefits that go far beyond getting a shirt and can be had 12 months out of the year!