This post will offer no guidance on how to create your personal website. We’re starting off here because I believe this to be one of the most essential pieces in whether or not you will consider the pursuit fulfilling. Sadness did this for me with her Cyberspace section֎. This is my attempt at that for you.
The first rule regarding personal websites is: “There are no rules.” This perspective I am about to share is limited, biased and unique to me, draw your own conclusions about the things you find.
To me, a personal site is personal. It is NOT: a CV or for-profit or barren or AI-generated or “fake”֎. A personal website is HONEST. Regardless of whether a site you come across possesses any of the those traits, I advise assessing it for sincerity.
These are more akin to link directories֎, but that’s not all they are. They’re quite different from webrings and I’ve organized them here for any interested future explorer’s convenience:
These collectives aren’t just for browsing, aspiring site author. Don’t just think of these places as destinations to be travelled to, but as potential bonds to be formed! Connections to be made! Take the time to look for people that are writing or sharing things that truly speak to you, and then go even further beyond and reach out to them! Those people and their websites will serve as your inspiration. And, like them, once you have found what you have to say…
Join as many of these collectives as you can. Because you should broadcast your voice. Send out signs of life, state your presence. Do not be passive in your site’s discovery. Your personal website… You, are something worth sharing. Worth finding. As long as anyone believes that, projects like these will be worthy of our time.
