Building a Personal Website: Two Years of Passion and Persistence

Creating a simple yet meaningful website took me two years— not because of technical challenges, but because of the journey of self-discovery and perseverance. I’m genuinely proud of this project and excited to share the story behind it.

A Personal Reflection on Development and Growth

Reflecting on this process, I realize that I had the skills and ideas to bring this website to life, but I lacked the right mindset and focus until now. For years, I worked with companies that praised “innovation” yet struggled to support genuine, honest efforts. That experience was exhausting and discouraging.

So I decided to build something entirely for myself—a handcrafted digital space where I can be seen, heard, and express myself freely. It’s a project rooted in authenticity, not corporate expectations.

An Uncomplicated Tech Approach

This website is intentionally lightweight, avoiding unnecessary complexity. I used straightforward tools, sticking with React.js combined with Markdown, avoiding CSS frameworks, trackers, or SEO optimizations. It’s about simplicity and purity—no cookies being tracked here.

Key Features and Customizations

• Markdown Styling: Custom-designed and styled to enhance readability and aesthetic appeal.
• Procedural Backgrounds: Unique dynamic backgrounds generated programmatically, with plans to optimize performance further using WebGPU for a smoother experience.
• Theme Adaptability: Fully theme-aware, though integrating consistent blur effects across different browsers (especially WebKit) has been challenging. Tips are welcome!
• Integrated PDF Viewer: Using pdf.js to embed PDFs, with ongoing efforts to improve style adaptation across platforms.
• Easter Egg & Hidden Surprises: A special secret embedded within the site, inviting discovery—and possibly some rabbit holes for the curious.
• Post Structure: Entries are formatted as commits, giving a version-control flavor, with potential exploration of a dedicated CMS in future iterations.
• Motion Effects: Excessive motion was initially a distraction, so I plan to incorporate a “low chaos” mode for users sensitive to movement.

Ongoing Development, Still a Work in Progress

The site remains a work in progress—glitchy at times but alive and evolving. I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve built, and I’d love to hear how it makes you feel. Whether it sparks inspiration or prompts critique, your feedback is always welcome.

Visit the website here: [Ujjwal Vivek](https://