Intro:
Hey there! I'm Khushi Gupta, and this is my journey as a contributor during Hacktoberfest 2023. This is my first Hacktoberfest, and I couldn't be more excited to share my experiences and growth with you all. You can check out my GitHub profile- https://github.com/khushig99.

Highs and Lows:

This Hacktoberfest has been quite a rollercoaster ride. It's had its highs and lows, but that's what makes it such an exciting and enriching experience.

Highs: One of my proudest moments this month was when I successfully submitted my first-ever pull request to an open-source project. It might sound trivial, but it was a significant milestone for me. It was an exhilarating feeling to see my code being accepted and merged into the project. Another highlight was when I had an "aha" moment while debugging a challenging issue. One of those light-bulb moments that made me appreciate the problem-solving aspect of programming even more.

Lows: Of course, not everything was smooth sailing. There were moments when I encountered seemingly insurmountable problems. I spent hours debugging and researching, feeling a bit discouraged. But the open source community is incredibly supportive. I reached out for help, and experienced developers were more than willing to assist. It's a lesson in persistence and the value of collaboration.
Growth

Before Hacktoberfest 2023, I had a decent grasp of programming fundamentals, but I was still hesitant to dive headfirst into open source. However, this month has been a turning point in my journey.

Skillset Before: My skillset before Hacktoberfest included proficiency in a few programming languages and the ability to build simple applications. I had a basic understanding of version control with Git and GitHub but limited experience with collaborative coding.

How It Improved: My skills have grown immensely. I've learned the art of effective collaboration through Git and GitHub, and my confidence in using these tools has skyrocketed. I've gained experience in creating clean, well-documented code, and I've also sharpened my debugging skills. Moreover, I've had the opportunity to work on diverse projects, which has broadened my horizons and introduced me to new technologies and libraries.

Changed Goals: Working on these projects has opened my eyes to the vast world of open source, making me more passionate about contributing to projects that align with my interests. My learning and career goals have evolved. I now have a clearer path toward becoming a more proficient developer and a more active member of the open-source community. I look forward to pursuing projects that not only benefit me but also have a positive impact on the developer community and society as a whole.