You don't have to be a genius to program. You don't have to be a genius to be a professional programmer.
I'm proof of that.
@DonyChristie I always do better when I'm working on an achievable project where I need to learn Just One Thing to make it work.
@WomanCorn Any advice on skilling up without getting into a spiral of comparison to others, self-hatred, and inadequacy as I metaemotionally despair?