> I struggle to think of something that I actually want to build as a project or a challenge so I can't build a compelling reason for my to maintain my interest

> I struggle to think of something that I actually want to build as a project or a challenge so I can't build a compelling reason for my to maintain my interest. This is the big problem. It's not unusual for it to be an uphill battle to learn stuff "dry". You truly do need a desire for some specific, reasonably substantial, piece of software to exist. Then, you'll learn skills and techniques "just-in-time" as side effects of making that thing a reality.