Ask HN: How to get unstuck with programming skills
Little bit of background: I've been programming as a hobby for nearly 20 years now, mostly full-stack web stuff (PHP, Java, Python, Ruby, Javascript), worked in Silicon Valley and an European startup, done some freelancing and now I'm working as a junior software consultant in Europe.
Even though I've been spending almost my entire life programming and learning programming, I still can't seem to grab enough skills to become a non-junior. I try to build hobby projects (can't share any to remain anonymous) but almost always struggle to build anything worthwhile.
I can write code but that's pretty much it. I can't seem to learn how to architecture software, how to build interactions between different parts of the app and can't make technological decisions about different technology choices.
As a junior, it's always someone else responsible for making bigger decisions or building important integrations so I will never get other experience than maybe reading through their code. But that stuff doesn't seem to stick with me.
At the same time I see people with zero experience take on three-month bootcamps, work as a junior for a year and then head on to building a career as a successful developer while I stay in the same spot never able to progress.
What can I do to escape the situation and learn how to build real-life stuff?