As I grappled with what I should write for this first blog post, the phrase “hello, world!” seemed to be the most fitting introduction. When I first started dabbling with computer programming, the initial “Hello, world!” programs always brought me joy. The words are simple yet profound. Electrons harnessed to print a message that basically says, “Hey! This worked.” In the context of launching this website, it’s basically, “Hey! This worked. I’m here. I exist. How are you?”
This website is something that I wanted to make a really, really long time ago. For various reasons, however, it’s been a long journey to get to this point. Also, it’s sorta difficult to make a website.
Why is it difficult to make websites? Depending on the kind of website you are making, there are always technical challenges. But I think there’s also the equally difficult challenge of communication. “Who are you? What do you have to offer? Why should I care enough to spend time considering your content?” Governments, businesses, and influencers discover answers to these questions and tailor their sites to provide content, services, and products to their audience.
Me? I’m releasing this website and writing these words pretty much into the void.
I’m a self-proclaimed “designer,” but this site is not really meant to be something that builds a career. Graphic design first and foremost has been a longtime interest and hobby—something that I honestly enjoy. Design is also something that I’ll continue to do whether I’m paid to or not. The primary purpose of this site is to share some of the things I make with the “world” (the world being whoever somehow stumbles upon this website).
Many people have termed their own sites a “digital garden.” Garden is such an appropriate word. A website really is something that you can tend to and grow, and during that process, you often learn and grow too.
I want this website to be a digital garden: a place to plant art, design, words, tools, and other delightful things. A place for me to learn, grow, and share. I hope that there will eventually be something here that will bring you some joy or that you can take with you on your journey—a laugh, a smile, an idea, some encouragement, or something else entirely.
Sharing can be incredibly vulnerable. A person’s value or skill set is readily judged and scored by a myriad of people. For me, I’ve had to let go of that pressure and just start somewhere. And this is my somewhere.
So hello, world. It’s nice to meet you.
Okay, so I could end there, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, and those who I’ve had the honor of spending time with and to whom I’m indebted for their kindness, love, inspiration, wisdom, help, and so much more. You all mean so much to me.