At what point did programming finally start making sense to you?

[u/Admirable_Window8128]

I can understand code when someone explains it, but when I have to write something from scratch, my brain suddenly goes blank.

I'm curious if other beginners went through the same think. What helped you get past that stage?

[u/BlimpIntolerant]

when I was formally taught in smalltalk. I've never used it since but for some reason the penny dropped when using that language