I have been thinking of designing a new blog for myself. It’s one of those things that I used to like, that I have given up. I write a daily journal, but have stopped posting on the blog as often.
With time, I’ve come to see that I carry different versions of myself into different rooms. Humility has long been a guiding value for me, rooted in formative years shaped by Sufi mysticism.
But the spaces I found myself in, by choice and by ambition, were often led by assertive, highly confident personalities. In those settings, I learned to adopt the self each role required. Not because humility left me, but because modesty is too often mistaken for fragility.
This blog was the only place for a long time where I could post what I thought.
I wanted a design to also say that.
So I chose something restrained. Calm. I wanted a layout that doesn’t ask for attention. Muted colours, generous space, type that favours reading over impressing. Enough contrast to guide the eye, not enough to shout.
I wanted it to feel like a small reading room. In my opinion, a blog that looks beautiful to me would make me post more.
For those interested, the blog uses Hugo. My choice was based on what I found the most enjoyable to write in. It’s been Hugo since I set up this new blog, almost five years ago now. I had been using the Hermit theme for some time until I figured out what I wanted.
I hope you have a pleasant experience reading this.