Read, try, read, repeat, is the process I use. I read about a topic, then I do a practical attempt (which most times fails), then I go back and read the topic again. I then repeat this until I'm comfortable with the topic, both conceptually and practically.
Also Albertan. Maybe it's unrealistic but I agree it would be pretty awesome to see in my lifetime. Would also be cool to see Alberta get on the map for something other than oil.
The following is mostly speculation. I don't really know the inner workings of the Reddit business model.
Businesses that rely on advertising revenue will always seek optimal channels for peoples attention. The mobile app gives them two very import things:
1. Push notifications. Push notifications give companies the ability to advertise to you without you even visiting their website. Also, it allows them to piggyback on the Pavlovian response that has been conditioned in your brain by smart phone companies. Essentially this allows them to "mainline" their product into your brain. Just woke up? McDonalds breakfast PN. End of a long day of work? PN from reddit to remind you to binge their content for your entire evening.
2. People can't run adblock on mobile applications. Even if that only accounts for 10% of it's users, it's still a huge increase in ad revenue.
Do you know of any local developer communities? A slack channel for devs in your area, perhaps. Usually they have job channels but also the best people to know about jobs in the industry are developers themselves. Check out /r/forhire and make a post. Then maybe comb through the HN monthly freelance threads and send some emails. That'll get you started. Good luck and stay safe.
Detach your code from your ego. Learn that there's always something someone else knows that you don't. Having them show you is a chance for you to learn, not to be ridiculed. Once you realise that most other people feel the same way you do, you'll be free to not only grow, but to work with other people to help them grow, as well.
Been doing this routine for just over a year now. I wake up at 4:45am, head the gym and do an hour workout. When I get home I make breakfast and eat. Then I catch up on news/tech articles for 20 minutes while drinking a coffee, followed by doing the dishes. Once that's done I get ready for work and head to my 9 to 5. Rinse repeat Mon-fri.
I've gotten about two years worth of contracting work from posting on one of these threads. A lot of tire kickers, and a lot of "take this test and then we'll talk" offers as well. I just ignore those, but I think, in general, it's not a bad network facilitator.
I am facing a bit of dilemma over here. I also have tried to ignore "take this test and then we'll talk" approach but turns out I have missed quite a few good opportunities. Need to change my strategy a bit? I think yes