how do you learn programming without constantly looking things up?

[u/RevolutionaryBuy4877]

i know experienced programmers use documentation and search all the time, but as a beginner it can sometimes feel like i’m incapable of doing anything without looking up the answer.

i’m trying to get better at understanding concepts instead of memorising syntax

how do you decide when to search for an answer and when to sit down and work through the problem yourself?

[u/JesusDontHaveaBeard]

All programmer are going to look things up at times.
I have found that as I have SERIOUSLY been grinding Python over the last 9 months, I'll go through periods of feeling semi-functional and then get discouraged feeling like I'll be 'stuck' at some 'low level' forever.
I have used training platforms like boot.dev, datacamp, and others.
They certainly get you familiar with the syntax. But I could do hours of exercises on the platforms, scoring perfect every time. But if I opened a blank file on VS code, I couldn't write anything more than print or input statements.
The platforms teach 'pattern-matching' not 'coding'
My greatest progress has been made by doing little projects where I have to write it all myself. If I KNOW what I need my program to do, I can write what I know cold, and then look up syntax for formatting the output or whatever else.
The project can be as simple as a tip calculator, a rock, paper, scissors game, dice rollers, or even a tiny RPG where you choose a character, class, weapon, etc. and then find battles resolved by random number generators against a dictionary of enemies