When I was 11-12 I started on Kali Linux doing CTF's actively learning. I used HTB first and slowly moved my way to THM. I used them both very effectively. I started to get into programming as I used to do for C++ and C# for video games at the age of 10.
This time it was bash instead, I instantly fell in love knowing that I could run a script and ask for my name update my machine, or do a CTF for me. So I worked on lots of projects I'm sad I don't have anymore and don't have on Git Hub. But I made a GUI multitool using python Tkinter and used bash scripts to do Nmap scans turn on my CTF vpn and so much more like run dirbuster,msfconsole,burpsuite. I loved those days when I could sit there and enjoy working for 13 hours on end and no joke that's real. I worked 12 hours a few days 13 hours some others.