The Day I Killed My Website

And set myself free

Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash

Four years.

Four agonizing years spent in the clutches of my own website, a Frankenstein’s monster of code and content I’d painstakingly assembled with my own two hands.

Every spare moment was devoted to its upkeep — endless hours tweaking templates, wrestling with plugins, and chasing the ever-elusive dragon of SEO.

I was a digital serf, shackled to a creation that promised freedom but delivered only frustration.

The irony wasn’t lost on me: in an age of supposed liberation through technology, I’d become a slave to my own online empire.

The Website’s Weight

The psychological toll was immense. The website loomed over me like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of unfinished tasks and unmet expectations. I was caught in a vicious cycle of anxiety and procrastination, the website’s weight crushing my creative spirit.

Research has shown that chronic stress can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, depression, and anxiety. My website was slowly killing me, one pixel at a time.

The Science of Decision Fatigue

The science of decision fatigue explains my plight. Every choice we make, no matter how small, depletes our mental energy. The constant barrage of decisions required to maintain my website — from font choices to social media strategies — was leaving me mentally exhausted. I was a victim of my own website’s demands, my willpower eroded by the relentless onslaught of choices.

The Substack Solution

Enter Substack, a platform that promises to liberate me from the tyranny of my website. With its clean interface and focus on content creation, Substack offers a haven for writers and creators seeking refuge from the complexities of website management.

The decision to migrate to Substack wasn’t easy. I’d invested so much time and energy into my website that abandoning it felt like a betrayal. But the promise of freedom was too tempting to resist.

The Great Escape

The day I finally pulled the plug on my website was a moment of pure liberation. The weight lifted, the chains shattered, and I was finally free. The relief was palpable, a physical sensation of release from a burden I’d carried for far too long.

The benefits were immediate. I had more time, more energy, and most importantly, more mental space to focus on what truly mattered: creating content. The shackles of website management were gone, replaced by the freedom to write, to create, to express myself without the constant distraction of technical upkeep.

Time: The Ultimate Currency

The newfound time was a revelation. I could finally pursue hobbies I’d neglected, spend more time with loved ones, and simply enjoy the luxury of unstructured time. As the saying goes, “Time is the ultimate currency.” I’d reclaimed my most valuable asset.

Research has shown that having more free time can lead to increased happiness and well-being. I was living proof of this phenomenon. The freedom from my website’s demands allowed me to rediscover the joy of simply being, without the constant pressure to produce.

Freedom: The Elixir of Creativity

The creative benefits were equally profound. Freed from the constraints of website management, my mind could wander, explore new ideas, and make unexpected connections. The creative juices flowed freely, unencumbered by the technical demands of my former online domain.

Studies have shown that autonomy and freedom are essential for fostering creativity. By relinquishing control of my website, I paradoxically gained more control over my creative process. The irony was delicious.

The Substack Community

Substack also offers a vibrant community of writers and creators, a welcome contrast to the isolation I’d often felt while managing my website. The platform fosters a sense of connection and collaboration, providing a space to share ideas, receive feedback, and build relationships with like-minded individuals.

The sense of belonging is invaluable. As social creatures, we crave connection. Substack provides a virtual water cooler, a place to gather, chat, and support each other on our creative journeys.

The Financial Upside

The financial benefits of Substack are an unexpected bonus. The platform’s subscription model allows me to monetize my content directly, without relying on advertising or sponsorships. The income isn’t huge, but it is enough to validate my work and provide a sense of accomplishment.

The Moral of the Story

My journey from website serfdom to Substack liberation is a cautionary tale for the digital age. In a world where technology promises to make our lives easier, we must be vigilant against becoming slaves to our own creations.

The moral of the story is simple: sometimes, the most liberating thing we can do is let go. By relinquishing control of my website, I gained more control over my time, my creativity, and my life. The freedom is worth more than any website can ever offer.