Trying to Get into Web Dev

Not sure if this is the right place or not but ima give it a shot. I was a software engineer major about 10 years ago. I graduated and then was in a bad car accident. It caused a lot of my memory to go away and I often times still struggle with abstract thought. I’ve since worked at a help desk the last 6 years of my life and I’m trying to learn some new skills / relearn to get out of the help desk. I’m decent with html and css. I know I need JavaScript and react next. I have plural sight from work and have been working through their JavaScript 2022 path but it’s like watching paint dry. Is there a better free resource? Preferably something where you actually build something as you go so you can see how everything pieces together because at this point, I get what they are saying, but. As for using it in practice, my brain doesn’t seem to work like that anymore.

Thank you

Edit: if you have a personal course, I’m more than willing to give it a shot for free / review it! Just an idea. I can even document my progress. I’d like to start a tech channel on YouTube and even already have branding but just haven’t gone past that yet (it’s been within the last 2 weeks). I think it would be good for both of us.

You could try working on some open source projects.

This will simulate what you would do on the job but the barriers of entry are low.

A lot of projects have help wanted issues and many maintainers will support you

Some maintainers are world class in their field. You'll be learning from the best and real people will use your code.

First, know your goals. If your goal is employment learn JavaScript in the most declarative style possible. If you are wanting employment in a Java shop learn Angular framework plus some TypeScript, otherwise learn React and Next.js.

If, on the other hand, you want to write original web applications outside of corporate employment completely ignore the previous paragraph.

Instead learn the DOM and events. Get a solid comfort for those before ever touching JavaScript. This will help with everything from architecture, accessibility, performance, test automation, faster code authoring, and on and on. Then start learning JavaScript in a highly imperative and explicit style as this will help with maintenance, organization, and documentation. Never program using the “this” keyword and instead realize that functions and basic organization skills are enough to achieve great architectures that scale with ease. Do not be afraid of lexical scope, it’s your friend. Then slide into TypeScript to up your architecture game to the next level.

Understand that this advice for personal development will make you a superior developer and simultaneously unemployable because nobody else will share these insights, perspectives, or experiences.