5 Lesser-Known Blogs That Help Me Grow as a Developer

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When I first started learning to code, I was overwhelmed by how much there was to keep up with. Everyone talks about staying “up to date” with tech, but nobody really tells you how to do that without burning out. For a while, I tried reading all the big-name blogs and listening to famous podcasts. Some were great, but most of them felt like they were written for people who were already five steps ahead of me.

So I went looking for something different.

I wanted resources that felt more grounded, more human. I wanted advice from people who still remembered what it was like to be new, or who were also figuring things out as they went. And I wanted to feel less alone in the process.

Here are five blogs and communities I keep coming back to. They’re not the loudest in the tech world, but they’ve helped me learn, stay curious, and feel connected to a bigger picture.

1. She Codes Australia – shecodes.com.au/blog

She Codes is an Australian initiative for women in tech, and their blog is full of stories that hit close to home. Whether it's career transitions, imposter syndrome, or learning how to code in between everything else life throws at you, there’s something really comforting about reading from people who get it.

What I love about it is that it's not overly technical or performative. It's real people talking about real growth. Some posts are short and sweet, others go deep. All of them remind me that I’m part of something bigger, even when I’m coding alone in my room.

2. The LadyBug Podcast Blog – ladybug.dev

This one’s technically attached to a podcast, but their blog is a gem on its own. It’s written by women who work in tech and are refreshingly honest about both the highs and lows. They talk about topics like learning React, navigating interviews, burnout, and confidence.

The posts are clear, often funny, and full of that “I’ve been there” energy that I really appreciate. It makes the tech world feel a little less intimidating, and a little more human.

3. Tania Rascia’s Blog – taniarascia.com

Tania is a self-taught developer who writes the kind of guides I wish I had found on day one. Her posts are incredibly beginner-friendly, but never condescending. She breaks down topics like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React in a way that actually makes sense. Like, real sense.

Whenever I get stuck or need a refresher, her blog is one of the first places I check. It’s quiet, clean, and no-nonsense in the best way.

4. DEV Community – dev.to

Okay, this one is more well-known, but I’m including it because the vibe is so different from most tech sites. It’s basically a blogging platform for developers of all experience levels, and that means the content is super diverse.

I’ve read posts on DEV that made me laugh, made me cry, and made me want to code something just for the fun of it. It’s a great reminder that there are thousands of people out there learning, struggling, building, and sharing just like me.

5. Emma Bostian’s Blog –compiled.netlify.app/

Emma writes about frontend dev, accessibility, and career stuff with such a clean, thoughtful style. What I love about her blog is that it blends design thinking with real developer experience. Her content helped me think beyond the code itself and start considering things like user experience, inclusivity, and how to build projects that actually make sense to people.

Her blog has been a quiet mentor in my learning journey.

A Few Bonus Mentions

  • Code Like a Girl – Another great community blog, especially if you want to read relatable stories from women and nonbinary folks in tech. code.likeagirl.io

  • Bits and Pieces – A Medium blog that focuses on JavaScript, React, and building solid frontend foundations. blog.bitsrc.io

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to read every tech article out there to be a “real” developer. What matters more is finding the voices that speak to you, the ones that keep you learning and remind you why you started.

These blogs help me stay grounded. They help me keep going when I feel behind or unsure. And more than anything, they make me feel like I belong in tech, even when the journey gets hard.

If you're still finding your rhythm in this world, I hope some of these help you too.

So go forth and find the people who inspire you and spark creativity in your mind.

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