The author shares their journey of transitioning into a software engineer through personal projects and tutorials.Tutorials played a crucial role in providing the foundational knowledge and skills needed for development.However, personal projects were key in deepening the author's understanding and practical application of programming concepts.Increasing time spent on personal projects significantly boosted the author's skills and confidence as a developer.Managing personal projects enhanced the author's project management abilities and understanding of overall code structures.Working on personal projects allowed the author to experiment with new technologies and skills in a safe environment.The experience gained from personal projects translated into tackling work projects with greater ease and effectiveness.Personal projects not only increased the author's technical skills but also fueled their desire and passion for programming.Engaging in personal projects resembles the concept of recursion, where each project iteration leads to new insights and growth.The iterative nature of personal projects serves as a powerful mechanism for continual learning, confidence building, and system understanding.