Hey everyone, just wanted to share an update as you’ll start to notice some changes around here and on my website in the near future.
Over the past while, I’ve been reflecting on the direction I want to take with my work online. While I’ve appreciated aspects of the Small Web, Indie Web, and similar movements – especially their love for personal websites and creative expression – I’ve also found that I no longer feel at home within those spaces.
The truth is, I’ve had some difficult experiences with parts of those communities. At times, I’ve felt excluded or harshly judged simply for choosing a different path or expressing my creativity in ways that some consider unconventional or even controversial. And that’s okay. Not every space is meant for everyone. But it’s made me realize that I should be investing my time and energy into something I truly believe in, rather than trying to fit into spaces that don’t welcome diverse values.
So, I’m choosing to move forward with a renewed focus on freedom, openness, decentralization, and the right to create without gatekeeping or judgment. Website building is deeply personal; it should be an empowering, liberating experience where you create in whatever way sparks joy for you.
For some, that might mean incorporating elements of modern technology; maybe adding “stories”, short form videos like “reels”, or a “news feed” instead of a blog, or creating a zine in the form of an email newsletter. I’m not even opposed to people using AI to help them build their space on the web. I don’t believe modern tools are inherently harmful, it’s how we use them that matters.
The Small Web, Indie Web, and similar movements have tight-knit values, often focused on preserving the spirit of the old web – and that’s not a bad thing at all. It’s beautiful in its own right. But in striving to preserve the past, I think some spaces become resistant to experimentation, innovation, and evolution. I believe we can carry forward the best of what we’ve learned from both the past and the present to create something new, exciting, and uniquely ours.
That’s what I care about most: helping create a space where people are encouraged to build whatever lights them up; whether that’s conventional, non-conventional, or even a little controversial. If you’re building a personal website, the only thing that should matter is that it brings you joy.
I believe that no matter what tools or mediums someone uses, everyone deserves a place to build, explore, and feel welcome. My work will continue to be rooted in creativity and authenticity, but now under a banner that truly reflects what I believe in: Sovereignty over your own space. The Sovereign Web.
You don’t need to fit into a specific mold or subscribe to a particular set of values to be welcome here. Supporting diversity – true diversity – means being open to all kinds of paths, even those we may not fully agree with. It is not about agreeing with how everyone chooses to create their own spaces, but simply respecting that how each individual chooses to create their own space is different – whether it be conventionally, non-conventionally, or even a little controversially.
A couple of years ago, I created my Free Speech Webring with that same intention: to foster community by bringing together people from all walks of life, with a wide range of beliefs. While some of those beliefs clashed, what unified us was a mutual respect for the freedom to speak our truth and express ourselves, even when our voices weren’t universally accepted, or maybe considered offensive to some.
It worked beautifully then, and I truly believe that same spirit can thrive and even evolve in the world of decentralized personal websites.
That’s what I believe the Sovereign Web can be.
Maybe I’ll be walking this new path alone, but it feels true to who I am, and it reflects the vision of decentralized web building that I genuinely stand behind and believe in.
If this vision also speaks to you, if you believe in building with intention, freedom, and curiosity, then I’d love to have you along for the journey.
I’m excited to continue creating, connecting, and carving out space for freedom in the online world; not just for myself, but for anyone who’s ever felt out of place or held back from building something truly their own for fear of negative judgements or condemnation. The Sovereign Web is more than a project, it’s a mindset. A celebration of individuality, exploration, and the belief that everyone deserves a voice, a space, and the freedom to express themselves in their own way.
Here’s to building boldly, together; no gatekeeping, no boxes to fit into. Just the joy of creating something that’s wholly, unapologetically yours. 
@sovereignweb @indieweb @neocities @smallweb @webdev @blog @webdesign
