The Magic of Code: From Beginner to Burnout, to Becoming Santa

This article chronicles a programmer's journey: the initial feeling of omnipotence, the subsequent disillusionment upon realizing reliance on large tech companies' APIs, and the ultimate realization that true magic stems from persistent effort and deep domain expertise. The author uses a lighthearted tone, weaving in personal anecdotes and work examples to illustrate the essence of software development. The article encourages programmers to persevere, continuously improving their skills to create their own 'magic'.