You know, it's funny how the big milestones can sneak up on us. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my recent Headless Hashnode tutorial, I realized it's been 15 years since I started this blogging journey—and what's more, I was just 1 post away from blog update 500!
It got me thinking about how this whole blogging adventure has shaped my career in web development. I’ve had the same enthusiasm for sharing my experiences as I have for coding, and what better way to commemorate this occasion than to share a bit of that story?
Getting started
It all started back in 2009 as a university student studying web design at the since-closed Hull School of Art and Design, An early assignment was creating a blog, not even a dynamically driven one - although mine certainly was - and the content expectations were simple too, just a post or 2 for every semester.
For me, I began pouring my newfound knowledge into blog posts or tutorials—basic at first, like a PHP script connecting to a MySQL database. As time went on and my understanding broadened, so did the richness of my content.
A huge motivation at the time was how helpful this content was for my classmates. I've always loved helping people, and seeing my content become a go-to reference for those around me boosted my confidence to no end.
Tinkering and Transformation
As the content of my blog evolved so did the blog platform itself. I've always loved deep-diving into how things work, and creating a blog has always been a cycle of tinkering, improving, and upgrading.
The initial blog is therefore significantly different from its initial version and has experienced many variations in between with significant changes in the codebase, design, and even the domain.
I fondly remember nuttycoder .net ?Although I dropped this when looking for a more professional-sounding domain as a graduate.
Daveismyname .com followed, a 2012 naming trend.
I later settled on DCBlog.dev in 2017 although comic book fans may be a little disappointed by the content.
Finding Inspiration
Consistently writing is no easy feat. It can feel like a test of perseverance and dedication, but I've found the best approach to be —writing when inspiration strikes, not forcing it. The majority of my content revolves around solutions to the problems I've encountered during my career, and the best way I find to celebrate overcoming a problem is to write a blog about it.
Benefits of blogging
Blogging is a brilliant cycle of learning and teaching. It requires an in-depth understanding of the subject, which comes from research and learning, so it can then be translated into helpful content for readers.
Blogging also pushes me to stay in sync with the latest trends and developments in my field, thus broadening my knowledge.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the ability to reach out to and assist developers around the globe through my blog. It has served as a means for me to engage with others and benefit from their knowledge as well. Not only this, but my blog and open-source work have proven invaluable in my professional trajectory. At interviews, potential employers have recognized and appreciated my work, furthering my belief in the power of putting oneself out there.
If in doubt here is a video I recommend anyone watch if they are unsure about publishing their work.
Conclusion
Looking back on the last 15 years, I am grateful and humbled by the impact blogging has had on my life; it's a journey that has enriched my knowledge base, allowed me to help others, and has been a consistent tool for staying updated with the latest industry trends. It has boosted my career growth, and despite the challenges, its rewards are irrefutable.
If you're looking to begin your blogging journey, I recommend Hashnode (this blog also utilizes Hashnode).