Introduction: My Journey of Learning and Association

I’ll be honest: I have no idea what I’m doing. Maybe it’s imposter syndrome creeping in, maybe not — but what I am certain of is my unwavering passion for learning.

While I don’t have a great record of doing my write-ups, somehow I have always managed to keep a summary of my accomplishments without fully explaining the intricacies behind them.

This is where I always hit a roadblock.

During my undergraduate studies, I effortlessly tackled assignments and lab work, yet struggled to articulate the methodology behind my actions. It’s like I knew how to do things but couldn’t put it into words.

On a few occasions, I attempted to provide a step-by-step account of my process, only to find it still fell short of explaining the underlying rationale.

• Why does this approach yield results?
• What sparked my initial idea?
• Why are alternative options not as suitable?

This should be a logical and systematic process, not merely instinctual. So how do I possess the ability to execute tasks without grasping the underlying reasoning? Imposter syndrome may lead me to believe that I lack a genuine understanding of the subject matter, that I do not belong in this field. However, deep down, I know this is not true — is it?

Cracking the Code

I have come to realize that much of what I do is automatic, devoid of conscious deliberation. I do not dwell on the technical jargon or the complexity; rather, I rely on patterns and muscle memory.

Over time, I have learned through association. In my Latin class, for instance, I employed modern English derivatives to aid comprehension. For example, I connected “Valedictorian” (meaning “one who says goodbye”) to Valé (meaning “Be well, farewell”) or “dormitory” to dormit (meaning “he/she/it sleeps”). By linking new knowledge to something familiar, I established patterns that my brain could readily absorb.

Yet, why was I able to proficiently handle intricate cybersecurity tasks without such associations?

To my surprise, it turns out that for years, I had instinctively employed various cybersecurity measures to assist (or sometimes avoid) avaricious relatives.

My proficiency in cybersecurity labs stemmed from the parallels they shared with everyday challenges: recovering data for my mother, researching phone numbers for my sister, backing up and transferring data for my children, or restoring lost photos for their father. It all clicked — creating a pattern that enabled me to comprehend the technical aspects of cybersecurity.

However, what eluded me was the logical foundation. This is precisely where I face my most formidable hurdle: learning something new without any pre-existing points of reference.

And so, my journey into the world of blogging begins…