If you ever struggle with learning to code, I want you to know that my code to generate a CSV file of user IDs has produced the output in the image below. I've been coding for 8 years, and it's one of the many mistakes I've made this week.

When I started coding I had a constant feeling of having no idea what I was doing.

I still have no idea what I'm doing, and make mistakes daily.

Long ago, these would make me frustrated and angry with myself. As I gain more experience, my attitude towards mistakes evolves.

Some of my current thoughts on making mistakes are:

1. Mistakes are human, and are always an opportunity to improve
2. Every programmer makes mistakes, even the really famous ones, and even if they hide it well
3. My team is compassionate and will help me rather than shame me for slipping up

I can't stress enough how important the last point is. It's so important to find a team where you feel psychologically safe. In my current team a mistake often feels like an opportunity to collaborate, learn, and improve our process. It's something to reflect on without shame.

Some teams turn the very human act of making a mistake into exercise in assigning blame. Every line of code is another potential slip up, another layer of anxiety, and another step towards burnout.

This is just one aspect of a toxic company culture and it will have a negative impact on your mental well-being.

For this reason it's important not to be afraid to ask difficult questions about company culture and attitude towards mental health at interviews. If a potential employer isn't receptive to questions on these subjects, you probably don't want to work with them.