Notes on Deliberate Websites
February 3, 2026 · 3 min read
A simple website can carry a strong point of view when structure, typography, and pacing are handled with care.
A personal website does not need to be complicated to feel distinct.
What it needs is intent. Visitors should understand whose site it is, what kind of thinking lives there, and why the material is worth their time.
Design should slow the reader down slightly
Most websites optimize for immediate scanning. That is useful for software dashboards and documentation. It is less useful for reflective writing.
For a blog, a little restraint helps. More space. Fewer competing calls to action. Typography that rewards staying with the sentence.
A homepage is an editorial surface
The homepage is not a neutral container. It sets the pace.
If the page feels rushed, the writing feels rushed too. If the layout is deliberate, the work appears more considered before the first paragraph even starts.
That is why a good personal site usually says less, but says it with stronger structure.
MDX is a practical fit
MDX keeps the writing workflow straightforward while leaving room for richer components later.
That is the right tradeoff for a blog: plain content first, flexibility when it earns its place.