Hi, I am Huda, and I am a backend developer. My path into this field was not exactly planned, but looking back, I cannot imagine doing anything else. Let me share a bit about how I got here, the challenges I have faced, and how I manage to balance work stress with relaxation.
It all started when my boss asked for someone to help with an online payment project. Without really thinking about it, I volunteered. That decision threw me straight into the deep end, and suddenly I was working on backend systems. Before this, my experience is only with simple SELECT queries, but now I am diving into APIs and complex database work. It was overwhelming at first, but I learned quickly—and I loved the challenge.
If you have worked in backend development, you know that it comes with a lot of pressure. It often feels like 80-90% of the issues that pop up are rooted in the backend. Every time I see a ticket notification, I get that feeling in my gut—you know, the one that says, "Here we go again." The anxiety is real, especially when you know that one small mistake could lead to a big problem. But with each issue I solve, I learn and grow, and that’s what keeps me going.
At one point, I decided to try my hand at frontend development. I figured, “How hard could it be, right?” Turns out, it is not easy. After spending an entire day just trying to set up a text field and button, I realised just how tricky frontend can be. That definitely not as simple as it looks, and it made me appreciate my own work in the backend even more.
One thing I have learned is that you cannot tackle a huge task all at once. I break things down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Mind maps and flowcharts have become my best friends for visualizing the work ahead. I actually picked this up from my boss and a colleague, who use drawings to simplify even the most complicated topics. It has helped me stay organized and on top of things, even when projects feel overwhelming.
Let us be real - music holds great significance in our lives. It helps me get through the day. For lighter tasks, I love listening to K-pop, Seventeen is my fav! Conjuring the image of the ‘Oppas’ singing and dancing energetically lifts up my spirit and energy and makes the day feel a little brighter. But when I am dealing with more complex issues, I prefer silence or sometimes listening to zikir - really helps me maintain my focus and stay calm when the pressure is on.
There is nothing more satisfying than watching the work I have done run smoothly. After a long day of coding, bug fixing, and the occasional firefighting, I take pride in knowing that everything is functioning as it should. Those moments of relief make the tough days totally worth it. One of my proudest achievements was completing my first solo project. It was a real challenge, but it taught me so much about resilience and the value of persistence. After work, I love racing home to hang out with my cat, Olla. She always knows how to turn my stress into laughter and is the perfect little sidekick for unwinding after a busy day!
Being a backend developer is not easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. The challenges can be tough, but they help me grow, and I have learned to manage the stress that comes with the job. Whether it is breaking down complex tasks, relying on music to get through the day, or just taking a moment to appreciate the work I have done, I have found my own rhythm.
If you are in a similar field, or thinking about becoming a backend developer, my advice is to stay calm, keep learning, and find the little joys in every accomplishment—no matter how small.
