This post is waaay overdue, and the reason for that is simple: the start of the year has been a bit hectic for me. So, let’s dive into it!
What I Accomplished
Confirmed Projects in the Pipeline
I successfully completed all three confirmed projects, but not without some challenges. Two of them were particularly tough, both emotionally and professionally. While I recognize that I could have handled certain aspects better, these projects also reinforced important lessons. I learned the value of thinking two to three steps ahead, avoiding assumptions, and improving my communication skills. These experiences pushed me to become a better professional, and I’m eager to implement these lessons moving forward.
Freelancing and Networking in Sydney
This went extremely well. I was incredibly lucky that WordCamp Sydney happened in November—the first one since before COVID. The three-day event was amazing, and I made fantastic connections, including agency owners and, notably, my now boss. I also attended other meetups and tech events, but nothing compared to WordCamp. It reinforced how powerful networking can be when you put yourself out there.
Personal Challenge: 3-Month Alcohol Break
This challenge was a big success. I went two and a half months without drinking, which is the longest I’ve ever gone without alcohol. Although I relaxed a little toward the end, I’m still really proud. The experience gave me a fresh perspective on social situations and proved to myself that I can do it. It was a great experiment, and I loved how it challenged me.
Quarterly Review: The Ups and Downs
This past quarter was a rollercoaster. On one hand, I loved experiencing Sydney and confirming that I genuinely enjoy living here. But it wasn’t without its challenges.
I had several potential clients fall through, which was frustrating. Financially, things got tough—I even had to do Uber deliveries on my bike to make ends meet. On top of that, I had to move houses, and just when I was settling into a great place with amazing people, we got the devastating news that the house had been sold. Losing such an affordable place was a huge blow, and it made me seriously question whether I could afford to stay in Sydney with my current income.
Right before Christmas, I was at my lowest point—broke and struggling to find work. I even tried applying for bar and catering jobs, but nothing worked out. It felt like I kept getting close, only for things to fall through at the last moment.
Then, everything changed. A connection I made at WordCamp messaged me, offering me a full-time role. At the start of the year, I officially joined The Code Company to work as a front-end developer. That moment completely turned my life around. It’s been one of the best things that has happened to me in a long time, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity.
What’s Coming Up This Quarter
🛠️ Mastering Dev Skills
- ACF Block Development: Dive deep into Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) block development to integrate more customizable solutions.
- Version Control & CI/CD: Familiarize myself with Git (or other version control systems) and CI/CD workflows to streamline collaboration and deployment.
- Tailwind: Master Tailwind CSS for efficient, utility-first styling and improved productivity.
- Elementor to Native Blocks: Work on converting Elementor blocks to our native WordPress blocks for consistency across the platform.
- Native Gutenberg Block Development: Focus on developing and customizing native Gutenberg blocks for a more seamless experience.
- WPML: Learn and implement WPML for multilingual websites, enhancing global reach.
- Debugging & Testing: Improve debugging skills and ensure thorough testing for all projects to maintain high-quality standards.
- CSS Mastery: Improve CSS skills, focusing on advanced techniques like Flexbox, Grid, animations, and responsive design to create more dynamic and scalable layouts.
🗣️ Work Communication
- Negotiation & Communication: Enhance my ability to negotiate and communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Detail-Oriented Work: Prioritize quality by being more detail-oriented and consistently reviewing work before submission.
- Task Organization & Deadlines: Improve task organization to ensure efficient work processes, meeting deadlines while handling all project details.
- Feedback & Continuous Improvement: Embrace feedback as a tool for growth and continuously refine my approach to both technical and communication challenges.
