Never Say Never
If you had asked me in the last couple of years, I would have told you I was done with web design and website management. After years of building sites and chasing the latest design trends, I thought I’d finally hung up my designer hat for good. But here I am, knee-deep in HTML, CSS, and all the fun (and frustrations) that come with starting a new website. And you know what? It feels good. Really good.
Owning My Channels
One of the things I’ve always believed in strongly is the power of owning your channels. In a world where social media platforms control so much of our online presence, having a website is like staking your claim on a little piece of the internet. It’s your space, your rules, your content. Social media is great for driving traffic, but at the end of the day, your website is where you have the most control. It’s where you can truly showcase your brand, your message, and connect with your audience on your terms.
Getting back into web design has reminded me just how important this is. Every decision I make—every font choice, every layout tweak, every image placement—is a reflection of my vision. It’s incredibly empowering to know that I’m creating something that’s 100% mine.
The Learning Curve: Technology Has Changed
Of course, jumping back into web design hasn’t been without its challenges. Technology has changed a lot since I first started out. There’s been a bit of a learning curve as I’ve had to get up to speed with the latest tools and techniques. Honestly, some of the things available now would have made my life so much easier back in the day! There’s also the getting back in the bike factor. what I mean by that is im having to remember how to do things I haven’t done in a while and knocking the rust off is re-inspiring my creative mind.
I can’t help but think about all the mistakes I made when I was just starting out—the misaligned elements, the clunky navigation, the endless hours spent troubleshooting code. If I’d had the tools and resources that are at my fingertips today, man, I would have made so many different mistakes! But that’s the thing about web design (and life in general): mistakes are unavoidable. They’re part of the process, and they’re how we learn.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, I realize that those early mistakes were just as valuable as the successes. They taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of continuous learning. And now, with a little more experience under my belt and some amazing new tools at my disposal, I’m excited to see what I can create.
There’s something deeply satisfying about returning to something you thought you’d left behind, especially when you come back with new perspectives and insights. Web design is more than just putting together a site—it’s about crafting an experience, telling a story, and engaging with people in a meaningful way.
Moving Forward
So here I am, building this new website and rediscovering my love for design. It’s exciting, it’s challenging, and it’s exactly where I need to be right now. I’m looking forward to using this space not just as a hub for my work, but as a platform to connect with all of you. Social media will still play a role, of course, but this site? This is home base.
If you’re reading this and thinking about starting your own website, or maybe dusting off an old project, I encourage you to dive in. Don’t worry about making mistakes—embrace them. They’re just stepping stones on the path to something great.
Here’s to owning our channels, learning from our mistakes, and creating something truly unique.
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