Celebrating a Two-Year Journey: Building a Personal Website from Scratch

After two years of dedicated effort, I am thrilled to unveil my latest project—a simple yet meaningful personal website. This journey wasn’t driven by complex technological challenges; instead, it was about creating a platform that authentically represents me. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and excited to share some insights into this process.

A Personal Endeavor, Not a Corporate Requirement

For years, I worked on developing websites and applications for companies that claimed to prioritize innovation. Yet, the moment real focus or tough questions arose, progress often stalled. The experience was frustrating and draining. Recognizing this, I decided to shift gears.

This website is my creation—for myself alone. It’s an expression of my identity, crafted with care and simplicity, highlighting what truly matters to me.

Building Without Overcomplicating

The site doesn’t rely on an elaborate tech stack. Instead, I opted for a minimalist approach that pushes me out of my comfort zone. The core technologies include:

• React.js for the frontend.
• Markdown for content formatting.
• No CSS frameworks, no analytics, no trackers—just pure, unembellished code.
• No SEO optimization, and definitely no tracking cookies.

Key Features and Technical Choices

Here’s what I’ve integrated into this project:

• Custom Styled Markdown: To personalize content presentation.
• Procedural Background Generation: Currently CPU-bound, I’m exploring GPU acceleration via WebGPU for smoother rendering.
• Theme Awareness: Implemented a dark/light mode; challenges with consistent blur effects across browsers like WebKit prompted ongoing adjustments.
• PDF Viewer: Using pdf.js, I embedded documents seamlessly. I’m seeking tips on customizing styles across platforms for a more cohesive look.
• Hidden Easter Egg: A playful secret embedded within the site—if you find it, I’d love to hear your thoughts or roasting critiques!
• Versioned Posts: Content structured as commits, with potential plans for a lightweight CMS in the future.
• Motion Effects: Plenty of animations—though I’m considering a “low chaos” mode for those sensitive to too much motion.

Reflections and Future Directions

While the site remains a work in progress and occasionally glitchy, it’s live, and I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve created. This project symbolizes perseverance, creativity, and the importance of building for oneself first.

I invite you to experience it firsthand and share your thoughts