The Journey of Building a Personal Website: Two Years in the Making

Creating a simple website doesn’t have to be complex or rushed. After dedicating two years to this project, I finally brought my vision to life—and I couldn’t be more proud. This post shares the story behind the process, the choices I made, and the lessons learned along the way.

A Personal Project Born from Authenticity

For years, I worked within environments that championed innovation — at least in theory. However, when it came time to actually implement ideas or ask the tough questions, progress often stalled. The frustrations from these experiences motivated me to build something solely for myself: a platform that reflects who I am and what I want to share.

This website isn’t built on an overcomplicated tech stack. Instead, I focused on simplicity, choosing tools that allowed me to craft a meaningful online space without unnecessary distractions.

The Technology Behind the Website

The foundation of the site is straightforward: a classic React.js setup combined with Markdown. I deliberately avoided the allure of CSS frameworks, analytics, tracking scripts, or SEO tricks. This intentional minimalism ensures a clutter-free experience for visitors and keeps the focus on core content.

Key Features and Customizations

• Styled Markdown: I customized Markdown rendering to enhance visual appeal and readability.

• Procedural Backgrounds: Background visuals are generated algorithmically, currently using CPU resources. I’m exploring WebGPU to leverage GPU capabilities for a smoother, more efficient experience.

• Theme Adaptability: The site is designed to honor theme preferences (light/dark), though cross-browser compatibility, especially with WebKit, posed challenges. Any tips on creating truly adaptive theme switchers would be appreciated.

• Embedded PDF Viewer: Using pdf.js, the site displays PDF content seamlessly. I’m looking into methods for styling the viewer consistently across platforms without breaking its default functionality.

• Easter Egg & Personal Touches: There’s a hidden surprise on the site—an Easter egg that also serves as a rabbit hole. If you stumble upon it, I’d love to hear your thoughts or a gentle roast.

• Post Structure as Commits: My posts are organized like commits—each representing a snapshot of progress. I’m considering developing a dedicated CMS to streamline content management in the future.

• Motion Design: The site has a fair amount of animation and motion. I’m contemplating adding a “low chaos” mode for users sensitive to excessive movement.

The Road Ahead