If I told my younger self - the me from only six months ago - where I’d be right now, I think I’d cry.
On February 14, 2026, I was lying in bed, doing nothing, when I watched an Instagram reel. Half a year later, I’ve built projects, signed an NDA, helped run two YSWSes, made websites I’m actually proud of, and so much more.
It all started with Flavortown. Keep in mind - I didn’t really know how to code back then. So I was submitting projects with maybe an hour of work in each one, and honestly, they were pretty terrible. But they taught me the ropes. In only about two months, I’d racked up a load of stickers, a Hack Club T-shirt, and a portable monitor. (And some wireless mics, though I don’t use those as much.)
Over time I got to know Hackatime, Lapse, and how everything works. I started spending more and more time on Slack - and met so many new people. People who helped me with things like FuseRing (I made three keyrings during all this), with getting Cookies, and with designing and soldering PCBs - Stasis and Blueprint, to name a couple. It’s crazy.
I’ve met so many people now, and they’re all genuinely nice. But a couple of months ago, about four and a half months into my Hack Club journey, I made a decision: I was going to bring Hack Club to my school. Create a Hack Club. And wow, did that set off a wild ride. I met so many new people - especially my amazing ambassador, Freddie - made plans, created the Thread of Doom, got permission to run a club at my school, and so much more. I didn’t realise how much that would mean to me.
Around the same time, I started a draft YSWS with Rohan. He eventually had to step away, so I took charge - at only 13 at the time. It’s crazy to think that after all this time, we finally have a sponsor, and it’s actually becoming a reality.
Did I tell you? I signed an NDA. Woah. I never thought I’d do anything like that before I was 18. Not the most important thing - but worth pointing out.
And now I have my own little slice of Slack: #j-log, inspired by Matthias. I’ve met some amazing people through it - Nirvaan, Matthias, Rayaan…
AND THE PEOPLE. Honestly, I’ve met so many people, and they all deserve shout-outs. Here goes.
Shoutouts to…
- Matthias
- Rohan
- Nok
- Nirvaan
- Rayaan
- Freddie
- Wally
- Jared
- TechnoDot
- Dracula
- Lynn
- Will
- WillsBuild (the Instagram Reel)
- Olly
- Gigi Cat
Everyone on this list is here because, big or small, you made a difference - whether it was being active in the Thread of Doom, helping me out in any way, just being there as someone close by (wink wink), or even just being someone I’ve worked with. You’re all amazing. And this list could really go on, but I do have to limit myself somewhere.
So thank you - for listening to my rant about how Hack Club changed my life, in only six months. Here’s to the next six.
Edited with AI because I’m terrible and organising my thoughts